Stars and Stories: The Black Star Radio Podcast

Black Star Radio and QRAM (Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media)

Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland.

  1. 2d ago

    Your Guide to the Mapoon Barra Bash

    In this episode, MJ speaks with Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council CEO Chad King about the Barra Bash and what's planned for the big fishing weekend. Chad talks about the prizes up for grabs, including a $30,000 boat supplied by Bill's Marine, and explains why you'll need to be at Blanco Park on Sunday afternoon if your number is drawn to win it. He also reveals a change to the barra competition this year, with the winner being the heaviest barramundi caught that is no more than 85 centimetres long. There are also categories for queenfish, mangrove jack, fingermark, bluebone, bream and salmon, plus separate categories for junior anglers. Chad says the event is bringing together local anglers, families from Weipa, tourists from across Cape York and visitors from further south for a family-friendly weekend of fishing and community. Listen to the full conversation. ----more---- Stars and Stories Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland. Learn more: https://blackstarradio.com.au

  2. 2d ago

    Gems, Music, Markets, Movies and Mountain Bikes: What's On? with Greg Bowden

    In this episode, MJ chats with Greg Bowden, General Manager Placemaking at Tablelands Regional Council, about some of the things happening across the Tablelands over the long weekend. Greg runs through the markets, live music and movies happening across the region, including the night markets at Priors Creek Parklands, live music at Mount Uncle Distillery and the Creekside Cinema. He also talks about Gem Fest at the Tolga Racecourse and why it's worth taking a closer look at the rocks and gems on display. And for the mountain bikers, Trail 12 has reopened at the Tablelands Mountain Bike Park after work by the local mountain biking community and trail designers. Listen to the full conversation. ----more---- Stars and Stories Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland. Learn more: https://blackstarradio.com.au

  3. 4d ago

    Curious Kai Asks Why: Wildlife, Scientists and Big Questions

    In this episode, MJ speaks with Dr Sarah Pye, the author of Curious Kai Asks Why, a children's book that follows Kai and her mum as they travel around Queensland, meeting scientists and learning about the natural world. Sarah shares the story behind the book and how her interest in endangered wildlife began with a trip to Borneo, where she met a conservationist working to save a species from extinction. That experience eventually led Sarah to write about endangered wildlife and connect children with the scientists and people working to understand and protect it. Sarah also talks about the real scientists featured in Curious Kai Asks Why, including experts from Far North Queensland, and her upcoming Tablelands workshops, where children and adults can explore wildlife, science, writing and even build a rainforest in a jar. Listen to the full conversation. ----more---- Stars and Stories Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland. Learn more: https://blackstarradio.com.au   Dr Sarah Pye Connect here

  4. 4d ago

    Getting Up Close with Victor the Cassowary with Dr Graham Lauriston

    In this episode, MJ speaks with Dr Graham Lauriston from Tropical Vets Atherton about cassowaries and a very unusual member of his team, a cassowary skeleton named Victor. Graham explains how Victor came to be, why cassowary skeletons are so interesting, and what makes their anatomy unique, including the many vertebrae that connect the head to the rest of the body. Victor will also be making an appearance at workshops at Atherton Library and Malanda Library, alongside Dr Sarah Pye and Curious Kai. Graham talks about what cassowaries eat, where they live, the threats they face around roads and rainforest edges, and why protecting their habitat is so important. He also shares what to do if you come across a cassowary in the wild, including why you shouldn't turn and run and how to give the bird plenty of space. Listen to the full conversation. ----more---- Stars and Stories Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland. Learn more: https://blackstarradio.com.au   Meet Dr Graham Lauriston Graham started working in Tully in 1996 and enjoys all aspects of Veterinary work in Tropical North Queensland. Working with ‘All Creatures, great and small’, he can never decide which animal species is actually his favourite. He can be out with cattle and horses one day, and in the clinic dealing with a dog with a broken leg the next. Graham works in conjunction with the Qld Department of Environment on the region’s iconic endangered species, the Cassowary, and has written several scientific articles on their care and anaesthesia. He also travels into Cape York to assist the Aboriginal Shire Councils in improving the welfare of the animals that live in these communities.

  5. 5d ago

    Bringing Film Opportunities to Regional Queensland

    In this episode, Mark speaks with actor and filmmaker Steve Bastoni at the Outback by the Sea Short Film Festival in Normanton. Steve talks about his career, including roles in Police Rescue, Underbelly, Wentworth, Neighbours and The Matrix Reloaded, and why he loves bringing film festivals to regional communities. Now in its third year, the festival gives local young filmmakers the chance to see their work on the big screen, with Normanton State School students producing around six films for this year's event. Steve also talks about the incredible short films being screened, including films that have received international recognition, and why giving young filmmakers a supportive place to have a go is so important. Listen to the full conversation now. ----more---- Stars and Stories Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland. Learn more: https://blackstarradio.com.au Learn more about Outback by the Sea Short Film Festival here: https://www.outbackbytheseafilmfest.com.au/

  6. 6d ago

    The 2026 Barra Bash Results Are In

    The Barra Bash may be over, but Doug Austin has plenty to report after a huge weekend at Lake Tinaroo. A total of 101 fish were caught, including 49 barramundi, with 30 of those measuring more than a metre. There were also 52 sooty grunter caught, including one measuring an impressive 50 centimetres. That means more sooty grunter were caught than barramundi this year. Then there were the catfish. 384 were caught, weighing a combined 270 kilos, with one competitor catching 205 catfish and earning the title of Catfish King. Doug also reveals who took home the $10,000 lucky draw, talks about the family activities that made the event such a success, and looks ahead to the planned release of more than 20,000 barramundi fingerlings in February. He also explains what's next for the Barra Bash, with the event moving to a biannual format. Listen to the full conversation. ----more---- Stars and Stories Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland. Learn more: https://blackstarradio.com.au

  7. 6d ago

    Can Melatonin Help Beat Jet Lag?

    Can Melatonin Help Beat Jet Lag? In this episode, MJ speaks with Gerald Quigley, pharmacist and Master Herbalist, about jet lag and what happens to your body when you travel across multiple time zones. Gerald explains the role of circadian rhythms and melatonin, and shares his approach to using melatonin around long-haul travel to help reduce the effects of jet lag. He also discusses why melatonin may be more useful for disrupted body clocks than for general sleep problems, and why it can also be relevant for shift workers. Listen to the full conversation. ----more---- Stars and Stories Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland. Learn more: https://blackstarradio.com.au Meet Gerald Gerald Quigley is a practising Community Pharmacist, as well as an Accredited Herbalist. Gerald is a Pharmacist and Master Herbalist based in Melbourne. He is a media health commentator heard each week on many radio stations.    He is co-hosts the House of Wellness radio program heard each Sunday on the Nine Radio Network live across Australia.  Gerald is a Fellow of the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia and Fellow of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society.  Gerald’s passion is to empower each person to make sensible health decisions, and to continually maintain and improve their quality of life, especially as they age.  Contact: https://www.geraldquigley.com/contact

  8. Sep 23

    The Barra Bash Is Back at Lake Tinaroo

    The Barra Bash Is Back at Lake Tinaroo In this episode, MJ speaks with Doug Austin about the return of the Barra Bash at Lake Tinaroo and everything happening across the big fishing weekend. Doug talks about chasing barramundi by boat, canoe or from the shore, as well as the different ways to fish for barra, sooty grunter and even catfish. The weekend also has plenty happening off the water, with food trucks, market stalls, kids' activities, casting competitions, line dancing and a $10,000 lucky entry draw. Doug also runs through the fishing times and what's planned for the big family day on Sunday. Listen to the full conversation. ----more---- Stars and Stories Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland. Learn more: https://blackstarradio.com.au

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About

Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland.

Information

  • Creator
    Black Star Radio and QRAM (Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media)
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Black Star Radio and QRAM (Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media)
  • Show Website
    Stars and Stories: The Black Star Radio Podcast