Secure future for 2SER

UTS has taken this action to support the long-term future of this important community station after notification that Macquarie University would withdraw as a managing partner and funder at the end of 2026.

Following a period of community input and with support from the UTS, the 2SER board has now approved a new, efficient and financially viable model for the station that will ensure continuity for its staff and volunteers, as well as its broad community of listeners. 

Tony Duke has been appointed transitional director and will oversee a six-month evolution to the new model, following his review of the station’s viability. 

UTS Dean of the Faculty of Design and Society and Chair of 2SER Board  Professor James Bennett said feedback from the 2SER community, together with consultation with staff and with a volunteer advisory group, had helped the Board consider options for a contemporary educational storytelling platform. 

“The station has an amazing community base which we want to continue to tap into as we create a future vision for the station together.

“It was important to land on a solution so that 2SER could be not only viable but also vibrant. We want to safeguard its reputation and history, but also enable it adapt and change to deliver future facing proposition in how we tell stories on radio using digital platforms and engage with storytelling as a platform for community, for talent and for education. 

 “Music and arts and culture are such a key part of our storytelling culture and heritage. 2SER has not only been at the heart of the arts culture and media sector in Sydney over almost five decades but also as a talent pipeline for UTS students to develop skills in radio.”

Professor Bennett acknowledged the valuable role Station Manager Cheryl Northey played in managing the station through a challenging period. “Cheryl has worked selflessly throughout this process, retaining the confidence of the Board as we navigated through an unchartered period in 2SER's history. Her work to develop and enable others to develop alternative models was crucial, whilst also continuing to oversee the daily running of station. Her dedication has been invaluable to securing the future success of the station.”

Changes to the operational model to enable the station to become a wholly UTS controlled entity are subject to UTS governance procedures that are being completed in the coming weeks that will enable the station to proceed with a future-faced model that is more efficient and adaptable to a contemporary broadcasting environment.