The recent launch of One Mob radio in Gumbaynggirr Country, Coffs Harbour, was the realisation of a 10-year dream for Lachlan Skinner. The now 25-year-old remembers first walking into Koori Radio station for work experience as a teenager and thinking “I want this for Coffs.” It was during the COVID-19 lockdown Lachlan and his team of supporters made that dream a reality with One Mob radio officially launched on 18 November 2020. “Our station is about showcasing and celebrating Aboriginal people, their stories, achievements and culture,” he said. “We want to be a strong independent First Nations media platform that supports and fosters a more closely intertwined and informed community.”

While it is early days for the station, Lachlan has already been overwhelmed by the positive response from the local community groups, businesses and individuals alike. “At One Mob Radio our vision is “Strength in Culture and Community” and it has been amazing and uplifting how well received it has been.” Lachlan says another priority of the station is providing Aboriginal people, particularly the youth, opportunities to gain experience in the radio sector

“I know doing a radio show and working in the industry completely changed me for the better as a young Aboriginal kid, I was very shy, working on radio really pushed me out of that, I’d like to do the same for the next generation,” he said. The station is the next phase in one of Lachlan’s other projects, a local Aboriginal Radio Program called “Speaking Hour Lingo”. “Speaking Hour Lingo was developed to train our young people up in Radio and Presenting. We are very proud to know that this project empowered a number of our young leaders of today.” For Lachlan, the protection, promotion and preservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, languages and knowledge is paramount. “Coffs Harbour and surroundings has the deadliest Aboriginal Community but there was no dedicated First Nations media platform to promote and celebrate our people, stories, achievements and culture....I could not be happier and more proud to see this dream become a reality, for all of our mob.”