ABC Radio programme "StarStuff" -- Axed - Again!

[Pi-Eyed (Berty)]

Hi All,

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...t.php?p=337464

Hot off the press!!

http://www.abc.net.au/science/img/2007/abcScience.png

News has just come to my ears from an ABC source, that the only ABC radio programme devoted to Astronomy and Cosmology --Stuart Gary's "StarStuff" has been axed and will finish in just two weeks.

The page for the programme is here:
http://www.abc.net.au/programs/STARSTUFF.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/science/css/im.../starstuff.jpg

StarStuff is an excellent, very, very long-running programme (only a 1/2 hr per week) with a large devoted audience that is dedicated to the latest developments in Astronomy and Cosmology -- essential listening for anyone interested in Astronomy.

Why has it been axed?? To make way for more sport. Yep, you heard it here, a total of 700 hrs of sport is broadcast on all the ABC radio and TV channels per week, but it wasn't enough -- they needed that extra 1/2 hr.

Are you steamed about it??

Write to the Federal Government Ministers demanding that Turnbull's smarter nation needs 'Starstuff' to deliver their promise of a better educated populace!

---------------

The ABC News Radio program "Starstuff" has been an excellent and only Australian radio source of astronomy and science news and events for the past 8 years on radio and more recently via podcast.

Unfortunately the management of ABC News Radio canceled the show with just two weeks notice at the end of December 2015. This came despite the considerable popularity and support for the show.

ABC news radio axed Star Stuff so the time slot could be used for a topic with less coverage which is, wait for it ....... sport????? Makes no sense!

To add insult to injury the presenter Stuart Gary has seemingly been "gagged" by ABC News Radio management from commenting.

Visit the ABC news radio website to download the podcasts of the program and you will see what we are fighting for.

http://www.abc.net.au/science/starstuff/

get writing...

[Pi-Eyed (Berty)]

Australian Federal Members of Parliament (Coalition) 2015

The Australian Parliament official page for contacting Senators and Members.
Thanks to Michael for this list Feb 2015 which was used on these posts.
john.alexander.mp@aph.gov.au, karen.andrews.mp@aph.gov.au, menzies@aph.gov.au, (Kevin Andrews) Bob.Baldwin.MP@aph.gov.au, B.Billson.MP@aph.gov.au, Bronwyn.Bishop.MP@aph.gov.au, Julie.Bishop.MP@aph.gov.au, Jamie.Briggs.MP@aph.gov.au, Russell.Broadbent.MP@aph.gov.au, Mal.Brough.MP@aph.gov.au, scott.buchholz.mp@aph.gov.au, Steven.Ciobo.MP@aph.gov.au, David.Coleman.MP@aph.gov.au, Peter.Dutton.MP@aph.gov.au, Warren.Entsch.MP@aph.gov.au, Paul.Fletcher.MP@aph.gov.au, josh.frydenberg.mp@aph.gov.au, Teresa.Gambaro.MP@aph.gov.au, Ian.Goodenough.MP@aph.gov.au, natasha.griggs.mp@aph.gov.au, Alex.Hawke.MP@aph.gov.au, Sarah.Henderson.MP@aph.gov.au, Peter.Hendy.MP@aph.gov.au, J.Hockey.MP@aph.gov.au, Luke.Howarth.MP@aph.gov.au, Greg.Hunt.MP@aph.gov.au, Eric.Hutchinson.MP@aph.gov.au, Steve.Irons.MP@aph.gov.au, Dennis.Jensen.MP@aph.gov.au, ewen.jones.mp@aph.gov.au, Michael.Keenan.MP@aph.gov.au, craig.kelly.mp@aph.gov.au, Andrew.Laming.MP@aph.gov.au, Craig.Laundy.MP@aph.gov.au, Farrer@aph.gov.au, (Sussan Ley) Ian.Macfarlane.MP@aph.gov.au, Nola.Marino.MP@aph.gov.au, Louise.Markus.MP@aph.gov.au, russell.matheson.mp@aph.gov.au, Karen.McNamara.MP@aph.gov.au, Scott.Morrison.MP@aph.gov.au, Andrew.Nikolic.MP@aph.gov.au, Higgins@aph.gov.au, (Kelly O’Dwyer) Tony.Pasin.MP@aph.gov.au, Christian.Porter.MP@aph.gov.au, jane.prentice.mp@aph.gov.au, Melissa.Price.MP@aph.gov.au, C.Pyne.MP@aph.gov.au, Rowan.Ramsey.MP@aph.gov.au, Andrew.Robb.MP@aph.gov.au, Stuart.Robert.MP@aph.gov.au, wyatt.roy.mp@aph.gov.au, philip.ruddock.MP@aph.gov.au, Fiona.Scott.MP@aph.gov.au, Luke.Simpkins.MP@aph.gov.au, Tony.Smith.MP@aph.gov.au, Andrew.Southcott.MP@aph.gov.au, S.Stone.MP@aph.gov.au, Ann.Sudmalis.MP@aph.gov.au, Michael.Sukkar.MP@aph.gov.au, Angus.Taylor.MP@aph.gov.au, dan.tehan.mp@aph.gov.au, alan.tudge.mp@aph.gov.au, Malcolm.Turnbull.MP@aph.gov.au, bert.vanmanen.mp@aph.gov.au, Nickolas.Varvaris.MP@aph.gov.au, Ross.Vasta.MP@aph.gov.au, Brett.Whiteley.MP@aph.gov.au, Lucy.Wicks.MP@aph.gov.au, Matt.Williams.MP@aph.gov.au, Rick.Wilson.MP@aph.gov.au, Jason.Wood.MP@aph.gov.au, ken.wyatt.mp@aph.gov.au,

[Pi-Eyed (Berty)]

Members of Parliament – phone numbers Coalition 2015

John Alexander (Bennalong) Tel: (02) 6277 4804 Fax: (02) 6277 8581
Karen Andrews (McPherson) Tel: (02) 6277 4360 Fax: (02) 6277 8462
Kevin Andrews (Menzies) Tel: (02) 6277 7560 Fax: (02) 6273 4122
Bob Baldwin (Paterson) Tel: (02) 6277 4200 Fax: (02) 6277 8447
Bruce Billson (Dunkley) Tel: (02) 6277 7930 Fax: (02) 6273 0434
Bronwyn Bishop (MacKellar) Tel: (02) 6277 4000 Fax: (02) 6277 2050
Julie Bishop (Curtin) Tel: (02) 6277 7500 Fax: (02) 6273 4112
Jamie Briggs (Mayo) Tel: (02) 6277 7020 Fax: (02) 6273 4126
Russell Broadbent (McMillan) Tel: (02) 6277 4233 Fax: (02) 6277 8485
Mal Brough (Fisher) Tel: (02) 6277 4970 Fax: (02) 6277 2860
Scott Buchholz (Wright) Tel: (02) 6277 4449 Fax: (02) 6277 8408
Steven Ciobo (Moncrief) Tel: (02) 6277 2330 Fax: (02) 6277 8452
David Coleman (Banks) Tel: (02) 6277 4188 Fax: (02) 6277 2353
Peter Dutton (Dickson) Tel: (02) 6277 7220 Fax: (02) 6273 4146
Warren Entsch (Leichhardt) Tel: (02) 6277 4803 Fax: (02) 6277 2238
Paul Fletcher (Bradfield) Tel: (02) 6277 4240 Fax: (02) 6277 8457
Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong) Tel: (02) 6277 7360 Fax: (02) 6273 4125
Teresa Gambaro (Brisbane) Tel: (02) 6277 4331 Fax: (02) 6277 8515
Ian Goodenough (Moore) Tel: (02) 6277 4651 Fax: (02) 6277 2082
Natasha Griggs (Solomon) Tel: (02) 6277 2392 Fax: (02) 6277 8479
Alex Hawke (Mitchell) Tel: (02) 6277 4430 Fax: (02) 6277 8522
Sarah Henderson (Corangamite) Tel: (02) 6277 4172 Fax: (02) 6277 2043
Peter Hendy (Eden Monaro) Tel: (02) 6277 4717 Fax: (02) 6277 4737
Joe Hockey (North Sydney) Tel: (02) 6277 7340 Fax: (02) 6273 3420
Luke Howarth (Petrie) Tel: (02) 6277 4018 Fax: (02) 6277 2361
Greg Hunt (Flinders) Tel: (02) 6277 7920 Fax: (02) 6273 7330
Eric Hutchinson (Lyons) Tel: (02) 6277 4918 Fax: (02) 6277 4299
Steve Irons (Swan) Tel: (02) 6277 4337 Fax: (02) 6277 8494
Denis Jensen (Tangney) Tel: (02) 6277 4156Fax: (02) 6277 8460
Ewen Jones (Herbert) Tel: (02) 6277 4693 Fax: (02) 6277 8551
Michael Keenan (Stirling) Tel: (02) 6277 7290Fax: (02) 6273 7098
Craig Kelly (Hughes) Tel: (02) 6277 4366 Fax: (02) 6277 8567
Andrew Laming (Bowman) Tel: (02) 6277 4258Fax: (02) 6277 8503
Craig Laundy (Reid) Tel: (02) 6277 4345 Fax: (02) 6277 8577
Sussan Ley (Farrer) Tel: (02) 6277 7220 Fax: (02) 6273 5188
Ian Macfarlane (Groom) Tel: (02) 6277 7070 Fax: (02) 6273 3662
Nola Marino (Forrest) Tel: (02) 6277 2318 Fax: (02) 6277 8450
Louise Markus (Macquarie) Tel: (02) 6277 2371 Fax: (02) 6277 8463
Russell Matheson (Macarthur) Tel: (02) 6277 2035 Fax: (02) 6277 8486
Karen McNamara (Dobell) Tel: (02) 6277 4055 Fax: (02) 6277 4293
Scott Morrison (Cook) Tel: (02) 6277 7860 Fax: (02) 6273 4144
Andrew Nikolic (Bass) Tel: (02) 6277 4954 Fax: (02) 6277 227
Kelly O’Dwyer (Higgins) Tel: (02) 6277 4155 Fax: (02) 6277 8453
Tony Pasin (Barker) Tel: (02) 6277 4864 Fax: (02) 6277 4865
Christian Porter (Pearce) Tel: (02) 6277 4275 Fax: (02) 6277 2231
Jane Prentice (Ryan) Tel: (02) 6277 4426 Fax: (02) 6277 8512
Melissa Price (Durack) Tel: (02) 6277 4242 Fax: (02) 6277 8554
Christopher Pyne (Sturt) Tel: (02) 6277 7350 Fax: (02) 6273 4134
Rowan Ramsay (Grey) Tel: (02) 6277 4967 Fax: (02) 6277 8440
Don Randall (Canning) Tel: (02) 6277 2090 Fax: (02) 6277 8425 * Deceased. By-election Saturday.
Andrew Robb (Goldstein) Tel: (02) 6277 7420 Fax: (02) 6273 4128
Stuart Robert (Fadden) Tel: (02) 6277 7730 Fax: (02) 6273 3897
Wyatt Roy (Longman) Tel: (02) 6277 4646 Fax: (02) 6277 8539
Philip Ruddock (Berowa) Tel: (02) 6277 4088 Fax: (02) 6277 8468
Fiona Scott (Lindsay) Tel: (02) 6277 4270 Fax: (02) 6277 8422
Luke Simpkins (Cowan) Tel: (02) 6277 4009 Fax: (02) 6277 8423
Tony Smith (Casey) Tel: (02) 6277 4284 Fax: (02) 6277 8439
Andrew Southcott (Boothby) Tel: (02) 6277 4283 Fax: (02) 6277 8476
Sharman Stone (Murray) Tel: (02) 6277 4477 Fax: (02) 6277 8454
Ann Sudmalis (Gilmore) Tel: (02) 6277 4141 Fax: (02) 6277 8482
Michael Sukkar (Deakin) Tel: (02) 6277 4847 Fax: (02) 6277 4862
Angus Taylor (Hume) Tel: (02) 6277 4662 Fax: (02) 6277 2389
Dan Tehan (Wannon) Tel: (02) 6277 4393 Fax: (02) 6277 8538
Alan Tudge (Aston) Tel: (02) 6277 4354 Fax: (02) 6277 8487
Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth) Tel: (02) 6277 7480 Fax: (02) 6273 3776
Bert Van Mannen (Forde) Tel: (02) 6277 4719 Fax: (02) 6277 8553
Nickolas Varvaris (Barton) Tel: (02) 6277 4626 Fax: (02) 6277 8428
Ross Vasta (Bonner) Tel: (02) 6277 4632 Fax: (02) 6277 8535
Brett Whiteley (Braddon) Tel: (02) 6277 4387 Fax: (02) 6277 2335
Lucy Wicks (Robertson) Tel: (02) 6277 4738 Fax: (02) 6277 4739
Matt Williams (Hindmarsh) Tel: (02) 6277 4429 Fax: (02) 6277 2375
Rick Wilson (O’Connor) Tel: (02) 6277 4101 Fax: (02) 6277 2073
Jason Wood (La Trobe) Tel: (02) 6277 4982 Fax: (02) 6277 4994
Ken Wyatt (Hasluck) Tel: (02) 6277 4707 Fax: (02) 6277 8552

[Pi-Eyed (Berty)]

Coalition Senators Emails and phones 2015

To contact members in their Electorate Office use this Parliamentary list. The numbers below are for Parliament House Canberra.
Eric Abetz (TAS) senator.abetz@aph.gov.au Telephone: (02) 6277 7320 Fax: (02) 6273 4115
Chris Back (WA) https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_...ember?MPID=J7Q Telephone: (02) 6277 3733 Fax: (02) 6277 5877
Cory Bernardi https://www.corybernardi.com/contact/ (SA) Telephone: (02) 6277 3278 Fax: (02) 6277 5783
Simon Birmingham (SA) senator.birmingham@aph.gov.au Telephone: (02) 6277 7630 Fax: (02) 6273 5188
George Brandis (QLD) senator.brandis@aph.gov.au Telephone: (02) 6277 7300 Fax: (02) 6273 4102
David Bushby (TAS) Senator.Bushby@aph.gov.au Telephone: (02) 6277 3404 Fax: (02) 6277 3403
Michaelia Cash (WA) Telephone: (02) 6277 7610 Fax: (02) 6273 7093 https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_...ember?MPID=I0M
Richard Colbeck (TAS) senator.colbeck@aph.gov.au Telephone: (02) 6277 5814 Fax: (02) 6277 5823
Mathias Cormann (WA) financeminister@finance.gov.au Telephone: (02) 6277 7400 Fax: (02) 6273 4110
Sean Edwards (SA) senator.edwards@aph.gov.au Telephone: (02) 6277 3385 Fax: (02) 6277 5960
David Fawcett (SA) Telephone: (02) 6277 3418 Fax: (02) 6277 5964 senator.fawcett@aph.gov.au
Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW) senator.fierravanti-wells@aph.gov.au Telephone: (02) 6277 3345 Fax: (02) 6277 3351
Mitch Fifield (VIC) Telephone: (02) 6277 7280 Fax: (02) 6273 4138 http://www.mitchfifield.com/Contact.aspx
Bill Heffernan (NSW) Telephone: (02) 6277 3610 Fax: (02) 6277 3614
David Johnston (WA) Telephone: (02) 6277 3249 Fax: (02) 6277 5766 https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_...ber?MPID=00AON
Ian MacDonald (QLD) senator.ian.macdonald@aph.gov.au Telephone: (02) 6277 3722 Fax: (02) 6277 5914
Brett Mason (QLD) senator.mason@aph.gov.au Telephone: (02) 6277 3756 Fax: (02) 6277 5725
James McGrath (QLD) Telephone: (02) 6277 3076 Fax: (02) 6277 5948 https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_...er?MPID=217241
Stephen Parry (TAS) senator.parry@aph.gov.au Telephone: (02) 6277 3300 Fax: (02) 6277 3108
Marise Payne (NSW) Telephone: (02) 6277 7200 Fax: (02) 6273 4406 minister@humanservices.gov.au
Linda Reynolds (WA) senator.reynolds@aph.gov.au Telephone: (02) 6277 3296 Fax: (02) 6277 5764
Michael Ronaldson (VIC) Telephone: (02) 6277 7820 Fax: (02) 6273 4140 https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_...ember?MPID=xt4
Anne Ruston (SA) Telephone: (02) 6277 3753 Fax: (02) 6277 5825
Scott Ryan (VIC) http://scottryan.com.au/email Telephone: (02) 6277 3483 Fax: (02) 6277 5824
Nigel Scullion (NT) senator.scullion@aph.gov.au Telephone: (02) 6277 7780 Fax: (02) 6273 7096
Zed Seselja (ACT) Telephone: (02) 6277 3187 Fax: (02) 6277 5712 https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_...ember?MPID=HZE
Arthur Sinodinis (NSW) senator.sinodinos@aph.gov.au Telephone: (02) 6277 3651 Fax: (02) 6277 5954
Dean Smith (WA) senator.smith@aph.gov.au Telephone: 02 6277 3707 Fax: 02 6277 5792

[Pi-Eyed (Berty)]

OTHER MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT 2014

Labor Party

A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au, Sharon.Bird.MP@aph.gov.au, Chris.Bowen.MP@aph.gov.au, gai.brodtmann.mp@aph.gov.au, Anna.Burke.MP@aph.gov.au, Tony.Burke.MP@aph.gov.au, Mark.Butler.MP@aph.gov.au, Anthony.Byrne.MP@aph.gov.au, Jim.Chalmers.MP@aph.gov.au, Nick.Champion.MP@aph.gov.au, Lisa.Chesters.MP@aph.gov.au, Jason.Clare.MP@aph.gov.au, Sharon.Claydon.MP@aph.gov.au, Julie.Collins.MP@aph.gov.au, Pat.Conroy.MP@aph.gov.au, Michael.Danby.MP@aph.gov.au, Mark.Dreyfus.MP@aph.gov.au, Justine.Elliot.MP@aph.gov.au, Kate.Ellis.MP@aph.gov.au, David.Feeney.MP@aph.gov.au, Laurie.Ferguson.MP@aph.gov.au, J.Fitzgibbon.MP@aph.gov.au, Andrew.Giles.MP@aph.gov.au, Gary.Gray.MP@aph.gov.au, Alan.Griffin.MP@aph.gov.au, Jill.Hall.MP@aph.gov.au, Chris.Hayes.MP@aph.gov.au, ed.husic.mp@aph.gov.au, stephen.jones.mp@aph.gov.au, Catherine.King.MP@aph.gov.au, andrew.leigh.mp@aph.gov.au, JMacklin.MP@aph.gov.au, Alannah.MacTiernan.MP@aph.gov.au, Richard.Marles.MP@aph.gov.au, rob.mitchell.mp@aph.gov.au, Shayne.Neumann.MP@aph.gov.au, Brendan.O’Connor.MP@aph.gov.au, Lucy.Wicks.MP@aph.gov.au, Julie.Owens.MP@aph.gov.au, melissa.parke.mp@aph.gov.au, Graham.Perrett.MP@aph.gov.au, Tanya.Plibersek.MP@aph.gov.au, Bernie.Ripoll.MP@aph.gov.au, Amanda.Rishworth.MP@aph.gov.au,
michelle.rowland.mp@aph.gov.au, Joanne.Ryan.MP@aph.gov.au, Bill.Shorten.MP@aph.gov.au, Warren.Snowdon.MP@aph.gov.au, Wayne.Swan.MP@aph.gov.au, Matt.Thistlethwaite.MP@aph.gov.au, Kelvin.Thomson.MP@aph.gov.au, Maria.Vamvakinou.MP@aph.gov.au,
Tim.Watts.MP@aph.gov.au, Tony.Zappia.MP@aph.gov.au,
—–
Australian Greens:
adam.bandt.mp@aph.gov.au
Country Liberal Party
natasha.griggs.mp@aph.gov.au
AUS Katters Australia Party
Bob.Katter.MP@aph.gov.au
Independent
Cathy.McGowan.MP@aph.gov.au
andrew.wilkie.mp@aph.gov.au
PUP
Palmer, Mr Clive Frederick
( Has no email address )
Phone (07) 5479 2800
and Fax (07) 5443 5333

Thanks to Peggy for compiling these.

[drylander (Peter)]

how does writing to government MP's help to stop this? The ABC is the one removing the program not the government. Write to the board of the ABC and get them to change it. I think 2hrs sport is 119minutes 60 secs too much anyhow.
Pete

[Pi-Eyed (Berty)]

My letter sent to gov. representatives...

Dear fellow representative,

ABC Radio programme "StarStuff" axed - Again!


News has just come to my ears from an ABC source, that the 'only' ABC radio programme devoted to Astronomy and Cosmology education -Stuart Gary's "StarStuff" - has been axed and will finish at months end!

The page for the programme is here:

http://www.abc.net.au/science/starstuff/


StarStuff is an excellent, very, very long-running programme (20 years) with a very large devoted Austalian and international audience that is dedicated to the latest developments in Astronomy and Cosmology - essential listening for anyone interested in Astronomy and Australian science education.

Why has it been axed? To make way for more sport. Yes, you heard it here, a total of 700 hours of sport is broadcast on all the ABC radio and TV channels per week, but it wasn't enough - they needed that extra 1/2 hr!

I cannot believe that the prime minister only last week seemed desperate to promote science education in Australia and yet the media arm of the government is seemingly working against that goal by axing this world class and internationally recognised science program!

I implore you to lobby the ABC management to reverse this 'dumb' decision and restore confidence back to the Australian community that science education in Australia is to be rated higher in importance than topical entertainments.

---------------

The ABC News Radio program "Starstuff" has been an excellent and only Australian radio source of astronomy and science news and events for the past 8 years on radio and more recently via pod-cast.

Unfortunately the management of ABC News Radio canceled the show with just two weeks notice at the end of December 2015. This came despite the considerable national and international popularity and support for the show.

ABC news radio axed Star Stuff so the time slot could be used for a topic with less coverage which is, wait for it ....... sport! It makes no sense!

To add insult to injury the presenter Stuart Gary has seemingly been "gagged" by ABC News Radio management from commenting.

Visit the ABC news radio web site to download the pod-casts of the program and you will see what we all are fighting for.

http://www.abc.net.au/science/starstuff/

Best wishes,

#########


IMPORTANT: This email is strictly confidential.

[Pi-Eyed (Berty)]

Originally Posted by drylander

how does writing to government MP's help to stop this?

Because they call the shots and ABC is a gov department!

Working emails:

john.alexander.mp@aph.gov.au, karen.andrews.mp@aph.gov.au, menzies@aph.gov.au, Bob.Baldwin.MP@aph.gov.au, B.Billson.MP@aph.gov.au, Bronwyn.Bishop.MP@aph.gov.au, Julie.Bishop.MP@aph.gov.au, Jamie.Briggs.MP@aph.gov.au, Russell.Broadbent.MP@aph.gov.au, Mal.Brough.MP@aph.gov.au, Scott.Buchholz.mp@aph.gov.au, Steven.Ciobo.MP@aph.gov.au, David.Coleman.MP@aph.gov.au, Peter.Dutton.MP@aph.gov.au, Warren.Entsch.MP@aph.gov.au, Paul.Fletcher.MP@aph.gov.au, josh.frydenberg.mp@aph.gov.au, Teresa.Gambaro.MP@aph.gov.au, Ian.Goodenough.MP@aph.gov.au, natasha.griggs.mp@aph.gov.au, Alex.Hawke.MP@aph.gov.au, Sarah.Henderson.MP@aph.gov.au, Peter.Hendy.MP@aph.gov.au, J.Hockey.MP@aph.gov.au, Luke.Howarth.MP@aph.gov.au, Greg.Hunt.MP@aph.gov.au, Eric.Hutchinson.MP@aph.gov.au, Steve.Irons.MP@aph.gov.au, Dennis.Jensen.MP@aph.gov.au, Ewen.Jones.MP@aph.gov.au, Michael.Keenan.MP@aph.gov.au, Craig.Kelly.mp@aph.gov.au, Andrew.Laming.MP@aph.gov.au, Craig.Laundy.MP@aph.gov.au, Farrer@aph.gov.au, Ian.Macfarlane.MP@aph.gov.au, Nola.Marino.MP@aph.gov.au, Louise.Markus.MP@aph.gov.au, Russell.Matheson.MP@aph.gov.au, Karen.McNamara.MP@aph.gov.au, Scott.Morrison.MP@aph.gov.au, Andrew.Nikolic.MP@aph.gov.au, Higgins@aph.gov.au, Tony.Pasin.MP@aph.gov.au, Christian.Porter.MP@aph.gov.au, Jane.Prentice.MP@aph.gov.au, Melissa.Price.MP@aph.gov.au, C.Pyne.MP@aph.gov.au, Rowan.Ramsey.MP@aph.gov.au, Andrew.Robb.MP@aph.gov.au, Stuart.Robert.MP@aph.gov.au, Wyatt.Roy.MP@aph.gov.au, philip.ruddock.MP@aph.gov.au, Fiona.Scott.MP@aph.gov.au, Luke.Simpkins.MP@aph.gov.au, Tony.Smith.MP@aph.gov.au, Andrew.Southcott.MP@aph.gov.au, S.Stone.MP@aph.gov.au, Ann.Sudmalis.MP@aph.gov.au, Michael.Sukkar.MP@aph.gov.au, Angus.Taylor.MP@aph.gov.au, dan.tehan.mp@aph.gov.au, alan.tudge.mp@aph.gov.au, Malcolm.Turnbull.MP@aph.gov.au, bert.vanmanen.mp@aph.gov.au, Nickolas.Varvaris.MP@aph.gov.au, Ross.Vasta.MP@aph.gov.au,

Brett.Whiteley.MP@aph.gov.au, Lucy.Wicks.MP@aph.gov.au, Matt.Williams.MP@aph.gov.au, Rick.Wilson.MP@aph.gov.au, Jason.Wood.MP@aph.gov.au, ken.wyatt.mp@aph.gov.au, A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au, Sharon.Bird.MP@aph.gov.au, Chris.Bowen.MP@aph.gov.au, gai.brodtmann.mp@aph.gov.au, Anna.Burke.MP@aph.gov.au, Tony.Burke.MP@aph.gov.au, Mark.Butler.MP@aph.gov.au, Anthony.Byrne.MP@aph.gov.au, Jim.Chalmers.MP@aph.gov.au, Nick.Champion.MP@aph.gov.au, Lisa.Chesters.MP@aph.gov.au, Jason.Clare.MP@aph.gov.au, Sharon.Claydon.MP@aph.gov.au, Julie.Collins.MP@aph.gov.au, Pat.Conroy.MP@aph.gov.au, Michael.Danby.MP@aph.gov.au, Mark.Dreyfus.MP@aph.gov.au, Justine.Elliot.MP@aph.gov.au, Kate.Ellis.MP@aph.gov.au, David.Feeney.MP@aph.gov.au, Laurie.Ferguson.MP@aph.gov.au, J.Fitzgibbon.MP@aph.gov.au, Andrew.Giles.MP@aph.gov.au, Gary.Gray.MP@aph.gov.au, Alan.Griffin.MP@aph.gov.au, Jill.Hall.MP@aph.gov.au, stephen.jones.mp@aph.gov.au, JMacklin.MP@aph.gov.au, Alannah.MacTiernan.MP@aph.gov.au, Richard.Marles.MP@aph.gov.au, rob.mitchell.mp@aph.gov.au, Shayne.Neumann.MP@aph.gov.au, Lucy.Wicks.MP@aph.gov.au, Julie.Owens.MP@aph.gov.au, melissa.parke.mp@aph.gov.au, Graham.Perrett.MP@aph.gov.au, Tanya.Plibersek.MP@aph.gov.au, Bernie.Ripoll.MP@aph.gov.au, Amanda.Rishworth.MP@aph.gov.au, michelle.rowland.mp@aph.gov.au, Joanne.Ryan.MP@aph.gov.au, Bill.Shorten.MP@aph.gov.au, Warren.Snowdon.MP@aph.gov.au, Wayne.Swan.MP@aph.gov.au, Matt.Thistlethwaite.MP@aph.gov.au, Kelvin.Thomson.MP@aph.gov.au, Maria.Vamvakinou.MP@aph.gov.au, Tim.Watts.MP@aph.gov.au, Tony.Zappia.MP@aph.gov.au, adam.bandt.mp@aph.gov.au, natasha.griggs.mp@aph.gov.au, BobKatter.MP@aph.gov.au, Cathy.McGowan.MP@aph.gov.au, andrew.wilkie.mp@aph.gov.au, Chris.Hayes.MP@aph.gov.au, ed.husic.mp@aph.gov.au, stephen.jones.mp@aph.gov.au, Catherine.King.MP@aph.gov.au, andrew.leigh.mp@aph.gov.au, JMacklin.MP@aph.gov.au,

[Pi-Eyed (Berty)]

Originally Posted by drylander

how does writing to government MP's help to stop this? The ABC is the one removing the program not the government. Write to the board of the ABC and get them to change it. I think 2hrs sport is 119minutes 60 secs too much anyhow.
Pete

Thanks, I've just written to the ABC board upon your suggestion!

Here is my letter:

board@your.abc.net.au

Dear ABC representative,

ABC Radio programme "StarStuff" axed - Again!


News has just come to my ears that the 'only' ABC radio programme devoted to Astronomy and Cosmology education - Stuart Gary's "StarStuff" - has been axed and will finish at months end!

The page for the programme is here:

http://www.abc.net.au/science/starstuff/


StarStuff is an excellent, long-running programme (20 years) with a very large devoted Australian and international audience that is dedicated to the latest developments in Astronomy and Cosmology - essential listening for anyone interested in international and Australian collaborative science education.

Why has it been axed? To make way for more sport! Yes, it's unbelievable, a total of 700 hours of sport is broadcast on all the ABC radio and TV channels per week, but it isn't enough - you need that extra 1/2 hr!

I cannot believe that the prime minister only last week seemed desperate to promote science education in Australia and yet the media arm of the government is seemingly working against that goal by axing this world class and internationally recognised science program!

I implore you to immediately reverse this unconscionable decision and restore confidence back to the Australian community that science education in Australia is to be rated higher in importance than topical entertainments on our national broadcaster.


I call on the ABC to continue the weekly broadcast and pod cast of the program "StarStuff" with the following provisions:

1) Stuart Gary is maintained as the program producer and presenter.

2) The program format remains unchanged.

3) The program length is at least 0.5 hours per week.


This program must be continued because:

1) It is the only Australian radio program covering these topics in depth.

2) The program is a critical educational and informative medium for astronomy and science in Australia and beyond.

3) The ABC has a responsibility to promote science and technology in various mediums.

and most importantly...


4) We the listeners enjoy listening to Gary and his amazing guests on the program every week.


Best wishes,

PS: I also Cc'ed all the working polly emails just to show the ABC board that they should expect some Q's from concerned MP's and that I'm not just some lone nutter venting off in isolation...


http://i64.tinypic.com/23tmmvd.jpg

[CharlieChaplin (Adam)]

I've got a bad feeling about this, as a quick search of the internet does not reveal any information about the end of starstuff anywhere. It is barely mentioned on the starstuff twitter and tumbler accounts, with people blissfully continuing to discuss things as per usual with only one or two mentions. I don't have twitter, tumbler, or Facebook accounts, but a suggestion to those of you who do. Go to the abc science Facebook page, Stuarts Twitter account, and the various social media sights for star stuff and make your plea there. You need things to "go viral" and are likely to get more traction if the thing can start being retweated. Might I also suggest leaving a written review and complaint on the iTunes site. I've received no feedback from my letters so far. Champaign ABC! No appreciation for the vastness and beauty of the universe, and what an asset this show is. It may be a loosing battle guys. People just don't seem to be getting fired up about this.

[CharlieChaplin (Adam)]

Good News Just in! Stuart Gary on his twitter account indicates he is in discussions for the future of starstuff "post abc"! Fingers crossed!

[Pi-Eyed (Berty)]

Originally Posted by Pi-Eyed

Hi All,

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...t.php?p=337464

Hot off the press!!

http://www.abc.net.au/science/img/2007/abcScience.png

News has just come to my ears from an ABC source, that the only ABC radio programme devoted to Astronomy and Cosmology --Stuart Gary's "StarStuff" has been axed and will finish in just two weeks.

The page for the programme is here:
http://www.abc.net.au/programs/STARSTUFF.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/science/css/im.../starstuff.jpg

StarStuff is an excellent, very, very long-running programme (only a 1/2 hr per week) with a large devoted audience that is dedicated to the latest developments in Astronomy and Cosmology -- essential listening for anyone interested in Astronomy.

Why has it been axed?? To make way for more sport. Yep, you heard it here, a total of 700 hrs of sport is broadcast on all the ABC radio and TV channels per week, but it wasn't enough -- they needed that extra 1/2 hr.

Are you steamed about it??

Write to the Federal Government Ministers demanding that Turnbull's smarter nation needs 'Starstuff' to deliver their promise of a better educated populace!

---------------

The ABC News Radio program "Starstuff" has been an excellent and only Australian radio source of astronomy and science news and events for the past 8 years on radio and more recently via podcast.

Unfortunately the management of ABC News Radio canceled the show with just two weeks notice at the end of December 2015. This came despite the considerable popularity and support for the show.

ABC news radio axed Star Stuff so the time slot could be used for a topic with less coverage which is, wait for it ....... sport????? Makes no sense!

To add insult to injury the presenter Stuart Gary has seemingly been "gagged" by ABC News Radio management from commenting.

Visit the ABC news radio website to download the podcasts of the program and you will see what we are fighting for.

http://www.abc.net.au/science/starstuff/

get writing...

The reply!

Thank you for your email to the ABC Board, which has been forwarded to me for response.

I regret that you are disappointed with the decision discontinue the program StarStuff with Stuart Gary. The ABC takes audience complaints seriously and your comments have been noted and conveyed to ABC Radio so that they are aware of your feedback.

ABC Radio has provided the following advice regarding this decision:

A full review of ABC Science online’s content output was conducted ahead of its merger with the RN Science unit. There was a requirement due to budgetary constraints to reduce the number of science digital producers. The imperative for the Science unit is to have content makers with the greatest capacity to cover all areas of science reporting across many disciplines. An audit was conducted to identify content makers best equipped to cover a broad range of science content. Based on this audit, Mr Gary was identified as being potentially redundant.

ABC Radio has experienced extensive growth in its podcast audiences over the past three years. The StarStuff podcast has not managed to grow audience at the same rate and in fact between 2013 and 2014 the audience declined slightly. The official 2015 figures record a 23 per cent increase for StarStuff, but this can largely be attributed to a change in reporting methodology which for the first time included MP3 files. In real terms RN believe the StarStuff audience figures remained relatively flat in 2015 in contrast to other podcasts offered by them which have increased their audiences by between 70 and 120 per cent over the past 12 months. It is RN’s view that revamping the offer in both astronomy and in broader science content podcasts will attract larger audiences commensurate with the performance of other RN podcasts.

RN agrees that innovation and scientific endeavour will be vital to this country’s future prosperity and the network has no intention of abandoning audiences who are interested in astronomy and other science disciplines. Their commitment to covering all areas of science of interest to the widest possible audience continues. Specifically, astronomy will be covered in many areas including by gateway programs such as RN Breakfast and RN Drive, as well as more specialist programs such as The Science Show, Science Extra,`The Naked Scientists, and in RN Showcase, which in 2015 featured the space exploration series Outward Bound. Australian specialists will continue to be integral to RN’s output. Planning is under way for the development of online and audio formats, and the network is currently assessing the potential to integrate coverage in video and TV formats. In addition, RN is working with the science broadcasting community to pilot and commission an astronomy podcast that may also have a broadcast application.

Thank you again for writing and providing the ABC with the opportunity to address your concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Kirstin McLiesh
Head, Audience and Consumer Affairs

[huwonline (Huw)]

I just wanted let you all know that Star Stuff with Stuart Gary will definitely be back for 2016.

As you can see in the thread above, Stuart has been made redundant by the ABC. But you can't keep a good journalist down and he will be launching new episodes very soon...this coming Friday in fact.

He has teamed up with my podcast company (made up by a bunch of other ABC program makers made redundant recently including me) and is excited to be able to keep Star Stuff going.

Unfortunately the ABC are being uncooperative and won't transfer any domains or subscription links etc, so we're having to start from scratch. That means you will need to subscribe to the new feed. Same with social media.

We expect itunes subscription link to be in place tomorrow (Thursday), but you can find the program now on audioboom (a few old ones only at this stage...new episode Friday), Stitcher and Pocketcasts.

We also have a new facbook page (we need followers...) and we'll be on twitter shortly. We'll be posting more details there.

Stuart is maintaining his tumblr blog.

We're flat out getting all this working at the moment so things are happening quickly.

We would be delighted if you could subscribe to our new feed (and follow us on facebook) and hope you enjoy this new era for Star Stuff.

BTW...we're being bought to you in association with Sky & Telescope magazine.

We also have a sister astronomy podcast with Dr. Fred Watson that you may be interested in...just search for Space Nuts in itunes, stitcher, audioboom, pocketcasts, facebook and twitter. I'm sure you're familiar with Fred and his work.

Here are the links to our audioboom feeds...rss feeds available here as well:

https://audioboom.com/channel/starstuffwithstuartgary

https://audioboom.com/channel/spacenuts

We'll be most interested in your feedback as well.

Thank you...

[Somnium (Aidan)]

Originally Posted by huwonline

I just wanted let you all know that Star Stuff with Stuart Gary will definitely be back for 2016.

That is great to hear, i hope it all works out well. star stuff has been a great resource for years, i was starting to have withdrawals

[Pi-Eyed (Berty)]

double post

[Pi-Eyed (Berty)]

Why there has not been a DIRECT approach to the 'Beyond' group, who knows!

If any organisation understands the worth of science education and it's syndicated value it is this group. They produced 'Towards & Beyond 2000' that very successful ABC science program. After they got the flick from the ABC they then went on to privately produce 'Myth Busters', one of the most successful syndicated science programs in the history of television...

http://www.beyond.com.au/home
http://www.beyond.com.au/production/watch/mythbusters
http://www.beyond.com.au/distributio...-for-producers

...Contact:
John Luscombe
General Manager and Executive Vice President, Beyond Productions

Originally a producer and director at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation with credits covering children’s programming, documentary, live outside broadcast and science magazine, John joined Beyond in 1984 to produce the award-winning Beyond 2000 series. After Executive Producing a number of other successful series for the Company such as Just for the Record and Invention, John was appointed Head of Production in 1996 and is now GM & EVP, Beyond Productions. His Executive Producer Credits cover over 1,500 hours of programming for cable and network broadcasters in Australia and the rest of the world including the Primetime Emmy nominated MythBusters (TDC), Taboo (NGC) & Deadly Women (ID).

[Pi-Eyed (Berty)]

• Sydney
• 61 2 9437 2000
• info@beyond.com.au

• Dublin
• 353 1 614 6270
• info@beyond.com.au

• Brisbane
• 61 7 3267 9888
• info@beyond.com.au

• London
• 44 20 7323 3444
• info@beyond.com.au

[Pi-Eyed (Berty)]

Here tis:

https://audioboom.com/boos/4148052-star-stuff-series-19-episode-1-we-re-back-for-2016.mp3

[Pi-Eyed (Berty)]

To: board@your.abc.net.au
Subject: Science education not on ABC's horizon!
Cc: Corporate_Affairs3.ABC@abc.net.au



Dear ABC board,

I believe the saying is "you can't keep a good man down"!

So the ABC board now firmly believes that the nation would be better served by 'dumbing down' the content of quality science education in Australia with a more generalist science format going forward...

Ironically this board's opinion is all but irrelevant as new Starstuff programming continues unabated into 2016 now on a new platform not associated with the ABC.
- A defeat for ABC science programming with waning audience ratings.

So "adieu" I say to RN's new 'stodgy' science agendas and hello again to Starstuff's 'cutting edge' investigative science journalism.
- A victory for Australian science education.

regards, ________________

[Suzy]

Hi Berty,

The IIS thread you quoted Les Dalrymple from in the link (regarding sport) was back in 2008. I don't know if Sport is the reason anymore ?
To do quotes (if you're interested), as I have below, click on the speech bubble icon in the title bar above, then copy and paste your quote between the two speech codes of quote quote.

I run our our IIS fb page with Mike Salway and last week Stuart Gary from StarStuff posted this on our page. I will give him the link to this thread, but I'm gathering he may be reading it already, going by his comments.
I haven't had a chance to post about this on our IIS page yet but will definitely do so in the next few days, so if you're on fb, you might like to help spread the news by sharing it from our page (once I get the post properly up on our main page!). I'd like to help/do what I can to draw attention its new place with podcasts.

Hi everyone...I see in the ‪#‎Astronomy‬ forums there's been some discussion about the future of my podcast StarStuff with Stuart Gary. Well I'm happy to announce that it will be returning for 2016...not with the ABC as they made me redundant. But I've gotten together with some other ex ABC program makers and we'll be continuing the program. Sometime in the next few days you'll be able to subscribe in itunes and stitcher...already in place on audioboom and pocketcasts. You will need to subscribe to the new feed as the ABC won't let me take the old one with me...so we're starting from scratch. I'll let you know when all the feeds are in place but the first episode for 2016 will be published on Friday. Hope you can join me....I'll post more information on my Facebook page as it becomes available...
https://audioboom.com/channel/starstuffwithstuartgary