38 Years of Victor Marillanca presenting 2XX FM's Latino program

Victor's program was the first Spanish language program in the nation's capital and was launched by the then Commissioner of Community Relations of Australia and former Minister of Inmigration in the Withlam Government, Al Grassby.

 

Victor came to Australia as a political refugee from Chile. He immediately began to work to help others escape from the political repression and human rights abuses in Chile. As well as producing the weekly Latino program in Spanish, from 1979 to 1990 Victor produced a program in English called "Free Chile" which covered the struggles of chilean people for freedomand justice.

 

In all the many years of Victor presenting the Latino program, academics, politicians , diplomats and freedom fighters have been given air time on the program with the words of non-Spanish speakers translated for listeners.

 

For thousands of Spanish speaking people the program provides important news and information on topics such as immigration, social security, refugee programs, local health services, public housing and current politics. 

 

For many years Victor served as President of 2XX, and also Vice President and President of the NEMBC, President of the Community Ethnic Broadcasters Associasion of ACT Inc. and Chair of 2XX Ethnic Standing Committee. He is also a registered radio trainer and has successfully trained many of the ethnic broadcasters at 2XXFM.

 

Many local and Federal ACT politicians also congratulated Victor in reaching this milestone and spoke of the significance of his work, including:

 

"Multilingual broadcasting is an integral part of Canberra's vibrant multicultural community, and dedicated radio presenters are essential in giving members of the community opportunities to listen to programming in their own language" - Simon Corbell, MLA, Member for Molonglo

 

"Our society is enriched by all those who give up their time to create vibrant and worthwhile contrbutions to the local community. To have done so, tirelessly for 38 years is something you should be incredibly proud of" - Kate Lundy, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory

 

"Your ongoing contribution over so many years to the local Latin American community, and to the cultural life in Canberra, is a remarkable achievement" - Katy Gallagher MLA, Chief Minister