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Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media
Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM) is a non-profit Aboriginal Corporation based in Cairns.
Formed in 2006 and becoming fully operational in July 2007, QRAM provides administrative, technical, marketing, secretariat, and training support to remote radio stations in Far North Queensland.
Prior to QRAM, these stations received minimal support after the previous coordinating body, RIMAQ, ceased operations in 1999.
Today, QRAM proudly manages and supports the Black Star Radio network.
QRAM
Board of Directors & Our Work
Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM) is a non-profit Aboriginal Corporation and one of eight Remote Indigenous Media Organisations (RIMOs) in Australia.
Based in Cairns, QRAM provides services to remote radio stations across Queensland including Atherton Tablelands, Aurukun, Coen, Cooktown, Doomadgee, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Mapoon, Mornington Island, Napranum, Northern Peninsula Area (NPA), Normanton, Pormpuraaw, Woorabinda, Wujal Wujal, and Yarrabah.
QRAM is funded by the Australian Government Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Most of these stations are funded under the Remote Indigenous Broadcast Services scheme and are often called RIBS stations, or their original name, BRACS services. The name BRACS comes from the original scheme that enabled them to be set up in the 1980 and 1990’s. Many people in communities still call their station BRACS.
AARON TEDDY
CHAIRPERSON
Kowanyama
LORRAINE YOUNG
DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON
Northern Peninsula Area
DEVON TARPENCHA
TREASURER
Pormpuraaw
ROBERT THOMPSON
BOARD MEMBER
Mornington Island
NEVILLE REYS
BOARD MEMBER
Gimuy
NOELANA FLINDERS
BOARD MEMBER
Wujal Wujal
JOHN GILBO
BOARD MEMBER
Normanton
ANGUS KERINDUN
BOARD MEMBER
Aurukun
The Black Star Story
Black Star Radio is a product of Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM).
Developed in conjunction with community members, we offer an all-digital integrated radio network and programming support to local radio sites across remote areas of Far North Queensland, the Gulf and the Cape.
Each local site can tailor the content they provide to their communities — including automated 24/7 mainstream music from a wide range of genres using the Black Star network.
In short, we ensure remote Far North Queensland communities have access to great radio every day.
Before Black Star Radio was born, remote communities throughout Far North Queensland had limited radio availability, often receiving cherry-picked content from regional centres.
This meant listeners weren’t getting relevant, local news or access to diverse music genres. Not all age groups and musical tastes were being catered for — until technology developed by Gerry Pyne changed that.
The first Black Star trial site was established at NPA Radio in Bamaga on 24 August 2011 — and it was a great success.
In 2012, the Black Star network was rolled out to nine more sites, with a further two added by March 2013.
Word spread quickly, and more communities began reaching out to get Black Star set up in their local areas. Fast forward to 2022 and we now have 17 stations across the network reaching more than 30 communities.
Real Radio
For Your Community
Black Star isn’t just about broadcasting — it’s about connection. Our stations share local stories, celebrate community events, and spark conversations that matter in your part of the world.
From morning shout-outs to live updates and the music you actually want to hear, Black Star reflects the heart and voice of your community — not someone else’s idea of it.
Want to see where we broadcast?
>> Click below to explore the regions we serve and meet the people making radio personal again.
