Musical Chairs: Labby quits Australia for NZ; Rhoda Roberts to launch indigenous show; Martin Foley gets music/arts portfolio

Labby quits Australia for NZ

Jason “Labby”/“Labrat” Hawkins quit Australian radio to move with wife Lou and son Felix to New Zealand. He is the new co-host of the drive slot for NZME and the national network ZM. Hawkins left B105’s top rating breakfast team last Friday after seven years. He began on radio in 1999 on Triple M Brisbane (as a volunteer until Kyle Sandilands demanded management put him on the payroll) followed by stints on 2DAY FM Sydney and 92.9 Perth, and as host of the Hot 30 Countdown and the national Saturday night show Loaded.

Listeners farewell Newcastle’s Carol Duncan

Listeners called around personally to the studios of 1233 ABC Newcastle to thank Carol Duncan as she signed off for the final time. She was one of nine staffers made redundant after the Federal Government’s budget cuts. James Valentine’s Sydney show will now be heard in her time slot.

Rhoda Roberts to launch indigenous show on CRN, NIRS

Arts administrator and festival curator Rhoda Roberts launches a new national weekly indigenous music show on the Community Radio Network and National Indigenous Radio Service in the first quarter of 2015. With the working title Deadly Voices From The House, it will be produced in the studios of the Sydney Opera House where Roberts works as Head of Indigenous Programming. It will replace the popular Deadly Sounds, which was unplugged in August after 19 years following defunding by the Federal Government of its parent company Vibe Australia and the death of founder Gavin Jones.

Martin Foley gets music/arts portfolio

Victoria’s former Shadow Arts Minister Martin Foley takes over the portfolio in the new State Government – except his new title is Minster for Creative Industries. It is consistent with Foley’s view that the way to grow the music and arts industries is to closely collaborate with sectors as manufacturing, tourism, education, health and technology. The new Creative Victoria organisation will gather Arts Victoria, Film Victoria, multimedia and gaming agencies under its umbrella.

Tim Cox back on Brisbane radio

Tim Cox, who announced in May that he would leave 612 ABC’s Brisbane’s Drive program to return to his hometown Hobart with his wife, is staying on. He will present Weekends from mid-January although he’ll be filling in this month on Breakfast when Spencer Howson goes on holidays.

Fiona Stanley on Gurrumul Foundation board

Northern Territory singer-songwriter Gurrumul Yunupingu has asked Prof. Fiona Stanley AC to join the board of the Gurrumul Yunupingu Foundation alongside his producer and collaborator Michael Hohnen and record label chief Mark T. Grose of Skinnyfish Music. The Foundation was set up in April 2013 to expand opportunities and welfare for indigenous communities. The highly decorated Stanley’s background in indigenous and child health will come in handy – not to mention the fact she’s a big fan of his music.

Len Firth bows out of Life Adelaide

After 20-years at Life FM Adelaide, Len Firth winds up on Friday saying, “It is time for me to move on to other adventures."

Richard Gill scores Musica Viva advisory role

Richard Gill, pre-eminent conductor and music educator, was tapped as an Artistic Advisor for the Musica Viva In Schools music education program.

Greg Hinks moving to Adelaide

Greg Hinks will anchor MIX 102.3 Adelaide’s breakfast program next year. He is currently at 97.3 Brisbane.

Bainbridge, Morris, join Star FM Albury

Comedians and presenters at Melbourne youth SYN Media, Tom Bainbridge and Oliver Morris, will do Breakfast at Star FM Albury from February.

Roland Peelman tuning off Song Company

Roland Peelman, who has been Artistic Director at Sydney’s Song Company since 1990, is stepping down at the end of its 2015 season.