Ever wondered what it is like to work on a Sunday newspaper here in Australia? And how would you go about chasing stories for a specialist round? Colleen Murrell tracks down Deakin graduate Mary Papadakis and finds out how she climbed the greasy pole to become Education Reporter on the Sunday Herald Sun in Melbourne.

[audio:http://themediapod.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/FILE351.mp3]

Colleen Murrell talks to Mary Papadakis

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

A new report finds that many Australians are avoiding overseas travel because they’re worried about bird flu. The business website TotalTravel.com says nearly 50 percent of those surveyed claim bird flu is affecting their travel plans. But other industry insiders dispute these findings, and say in their experience travellers appear to be more worried by the 2004 Asian Tsunami and terrorism. Kate Tuffin has the latest from the world of travel.

[audio:http://themediapod.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/Bird%20flu.mp3]

Travel flu

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Recent statistics reveal an increase in the number of animals being used for experiments across Australia. As a result, scientists are coming under pressure to look for alternatives. Deakin University student Emma Wilkins visited a laboratory in Victoria that is trying to reduce its reliance on animals, and improve their day-to-day conditions.

[audio:http://themediapod.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/radiofinal.mp3]

Animal experiments podcast

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Tough new restrictions will change the way we treat the common cold this winter. The sale of cold and flu medications, containing the drug Pseudoephedrine, will be monitored by a system designed to stamp out illicit use of the drug. A national database will identify drug runners who buy bulk amounts of over-the-counter tablets in order to manufacture amphetamines. Casey Tomkins has this report.

[audio:http://themediapod.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/Changes%20to%20Pseudoephedrine%20Sales%20-%20Casey%20Tomkins.mp3]

Cold Medicine podcast

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Many country towns are struggling to keep young adults from leaving regional Victoria. If they do choose to stay it is usually because of family, friends, or specific educational opportunites or career paths. Now, as Uschi Steedman discovers, sport is also playing its part. It seems local football clubs can also be a factor in persuading young men to stay in their home towns.

[audio:http://themediapod.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/country%20youth%20and%20footy.mp3]

Country Youth podcast

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Tired of the traditional current affairs programme? Do you want to listen to news about your age group? Then try tuning into Triple J’s weekdays current affairs programme – Hack. In this podcast Colleen Murrell talks to Hack’s main presenter Steve Cannane to find out what presses his buttons.

[audio:http://themediapod.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/Cannane1.mp3]

Interview with Steve Cannane

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

If you’re a news junkie then the place to put your dial is ABC’s News Radio. From a small office in Sydney the station serves up a diet of pure news, devoid of talkback, music or any of those other irritating diversions from the real deal.

They run a lively website which is regularly updated with links to breaking stories and through their agreements with other broadcasters (BBC, Deutsche Welle, Radio Netherlands) they offer a window to the world of international news from other countries’ perspectives.

Check out their website at http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/ and have a listen to my podcast which I recorded in their studio. Cheers, Colleen Murrell.

[audio:http://themediapod.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/04/Newsradio.mp3]

ABC News Radio podcast

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

A few months ago I visited the ABC’s ‘AM’ program in Sydney. AM is one of the country’s most important and influential current affairs programs. I watched the program being put together and interviewed the main members of the team: Presenter Tony Eastley (pictured right); Executive Producer David Burgess; Associate Producer Mark Tamhane; Studio Editor Leonie Highfield; and reporter Edmund Roy. They told me about their working lives and I quizzed them about the essential ingredients of a cracking ‘AM’ story.

Have a listen and tell me what you think.

Happy Easter! Colleen Murrell.

[audio:http://themediapod.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/04/Final_AMStory.mp3]

A day with ABC’s AM program

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.