Are you passionate about your community? Would you like to tell everyone about it? 612 ABC Brisbane is looking for volunteer correspondents to tell the stories of their community on the radio.

There are over 2 million people living in Brisbane and everyone has a story to tell. We want to hear these stories from as many different people, cultures and groups as possible ... and we need your help to tell them.

We currently have 25 Community Correspondents who have been telling stories from their diverse communities for the last two years. We've been hearing what people all over Brisbane are thinking about and what's important to them.

We've also heard stories that make the people who live in our city so unique, such as Helga and Helen who clean up the streets of Bridgeman Downs and former marine biologist turned crayfish farmer, Rob Hutchings. In fact we heard almost 300 stories from our community correspondents in 2015. You can listen back to some of them here.

This year, we are looking for more people to join the existing Community Correspondent team and we would like one of them to be you.

What would I have to do?

Simply tell the stories from your community.

Do I need to live in Brisbane?

If you live in Brisbane or surrounding areas - Logan, Redlands, Somerset, Moreton Bay and Ipswich - you can apply. Unfortunately if you live on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast or Toowoomba you can't apply as your areas are covered by other ABC radio stations.

How?

You submit story ideas from your community, the 612 ABC Brisbane programs team will review your ideas and select what is of most interest to their program and then you will put together a radio package - it can be as simple or fancy as your skills allow, and often simple is best.

Your story could get a run on Breakfast with Spencer, Mornings with Steve, Afternoons with Kelly, Drive with Emma, Evenings with David or Weekends with Tim.

How many stories would I need to do?

We expect our Community Correspondents to produce one story per month.

I have story ideas but have no idea how to put together something for radio?

If you are successful, you will be invited to attend a training course - receiving first-hand training from the presenters and staff at ABC Local Radio. You will also receive ongoing guidance and direction from the Community Correspondent Manager.

The ABC is bound by strict editorial policies and Community Correspondents will also have to adhere to these. You will receive full training in this area prior to commencing. More information about editorial policies can be found here.

Who can get involved?

Anyone with a passion for their community and storytelling can be a Community Correspondent.

Do you provide equipment?

No, the ABC is not funded to buy equipment for sharing with people other than our staff. But we will offer training to help people get the best out of their equipment.

What equipment will I need?

You will only need a smart phone, a computer and an internet connection.

Do I need skills in reporting/recording?

While we welcome people with skills, ABC Community Correspondent program is not focused on professionals, but on ordinary people who want to participate using the internet, their phones and digital media.

What age do I need to be?

There is no age limit.

Will I be paid for submitting stories as a Community Correspondent?

No.

What will I get out of it?

You will learn new skills, have an audience for your ideas and stories, meet new people within your community and be part of the Community Correspondent network where you will have the chance to learn more about other communities and groups.

You will also have the opportunity to form working relationships with ABC presenters and producers.

The ABC Community Correspondent program isn't about the ABC getting free content, or taking away resources from the rest of the ABC, it's a community participation project aimed at giving people from diverse backgrounds an opportunity to take their stories to a wider community.

Who will own the stories I submit?

You will own them, not the ABC. You will be free to use whatever stories you make with us in any way you like. The ABC does not make money out of your stories - unlike other sites which raise revenue through advertising.

How do I apply to become a 612 ABC Brisbane Community Correspondent?

1. Apply by filling out the application form here.

2. Record yourself talking about your local community - 90 seconds or fewer. (Note: applications will be judged on merit and MUST include this 90 second voice recording.)

3. Upload your audio to Soundcloud

How do I upload my 90 second audition to Soundcloud?

If you don't have a Soundcloud account, you will need to join. It's free and doesn't require any credit card information. You can join here. Make sure your settings are set so that anyone can hear your recordings. Once you've uploaded the audio, you just need to copy and paste the URL into the Community Correspondent Application form. More details about uploading to Soundcloud here.



When do applications close?

Sunday 21 February 2016

For more information about the Community Correspondent program, please email Tom Greenard - greenard.thomas@abc.net.au