Broadcasting nation wide, ABCÂ Rural provides Australia with the latest in farming news and drought up-dates. The shows differ as you cross the country, each local program providing the recent news in relation to its area.
The Country Hour, aired at midday, is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as Australia’s longest running radio program. The show covers current issues affecting local farmers and in turn, the nation. Issues such as hypothermia in cows, the looming drought and the rise and fall of the value of livestock are daily brought forth for discussion. These issues may seem tedious and certainly don’t hold interest for everyone but this program plays an important part in connecting local issues with the nation and informing farmers of events and news relevant to them.
Listening to the program, when you have no interest in the price of sheep or cows, for half an hour is more than enough! As it is a country program, it is much like community radio and the presenters are sorely lacking in personality. Music played on the show is a rarity and when it is played, surprise surprise, it’s country beat-nick music!
There isn’t much to this show. It’s simple, full of farming information and if the music were removed, it would practically be an hour long news program. Slow paced, much like the country itself, The Country Hour is one way to make you fall asleep at the wheel if you’re driving through the country.
