Bush Telegraph is a radio program on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Radio National network, broadcast weekdays (Monday-Friday) at 11-12am, presenting stories from rural and regional Australia.
"Bush Telegraph" is the Australian country term for the informal network which spreads news and gossip through a region of rural or outback Australia.
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The show presents original stories, Australian music, rural news and reports from ABC rural reporters across Australia.
The show's on-going debates include genetically modified food, services in rural Australia, climate change and water policies.
Even though the web publication BushTelegraph predates the ABC rural program, to avoid confusion it has been renamed Workers BushTelegraph.
Bush Telegraph has run several innovative listener participation series, where listeners have been able to vote on aspects of a project through the internet site and phone-in lines.
In 2002 and early 2003, Bush Telegraph listeners voted on production of a cotton crop. [1]
Stu Higgins, a cotton farmer from Jandowae (near Chinchilla) in Queensland, offered 5 acres (2 ha) of his crop. The show had weekly updates, and votes were taken on matters such as: how the crop should be fertilised, whether natural or artificial defoliant should be used.
The crop was successful, and achieved a premium price. Higgins received an award: Queensland Primary Industries Achievement Award for media and communication.
For the 2006 harvest, commencing March 2006, a grape grower and winery owner, Ian Davison of Galens Tor winery near Orange, New South Wales, has offered Shiraz grapes for two vintages:
Each group will make a barrel of Shiraz wine with the help of professional winemakers, with professional judges deciding on the outcome. Listeners will be able to buy bottles of each wine and decide for themselves.[2]
The current presenters are Michael Mackenzie and Michael Cathcart.