National community radio awards winners announced

Members of the community radio sector gathered in Terrigal NSW on Saturday night for the CBAA Community Radio Awards.

Chief Executive Officer Jon Bisset said the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia received a record number of entries for the 20 categories, acclaiming, “When you look at this collection of work there can be no doubt that community radio is a key pillar in the Australian media landscape.

“I commend all community broadcasters for their contributions throughout the year – our sector is truly unique in its contribution to, and reflection of our open society, strong democracy and vibrant culture, and is something of which we should all be very proud.”

The full list of winners are:

Michael Law Award: Adrian Basso, PBS 106.7 FM (VIC) and outgoing CBAA President for his contribution to the sector that began almost twenty years ago.

Tony Staley Award: Ability Radio Project: 4ZZZ (QLD), a co-production by people with an intellectual disability and support workers, including a 14 week course in radio production skills to provide their own voice.

The Outstanding Small Station Award: Lower Clarence Community Radio Inc, TLC FM 100.3 (NSW)

Excellence in Community Participation: Joint winners – SYN Media (VIC) & 2WAR FM Gilgandra (NSW) Community Radio

Outstanding Volunteer Contribution: Susan ‘Del’ Gordon – 2WAR FM Gilgandra Community Radio (NSW)

Excellence in Digital Media: Represent – Federal Budget Night, SYN Media (VIC)

Excellence in Training: Collaborative Radio Project, PBS 106.7 FM (VIC)

Best New Radio Program – Talks: Pinarru Aku, 8CCC 102.1 FM Community Radio (NT)

Best New Radio Program – Music: Babble POP!, JOY 94.9 (VIC)

Best Station Production: JOY Radiothon, JOY 94.9 (VIC)

Contribution to Australian Music: National Contemporary Landscapes, 3MBS Fine Music Melbourne (VIC)

Excellence in Indigenous Broadcasting: Waringarri Radio (WA)

Excellence in Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasting: Radio 4EB (QLD)

Excellence in Music Programming: Babylon Burning, PBS 106.7 FM (VIC)

Excellence in Spoken Word, News and Current Affairs Programming: Wavelength, Fresh 92.7 (SA)

Best Station Promotion, Sponsorship of Fundraising Campaign: Watts Up! Fundraising Campaign, Bay FM 99.9 (NSW)

Most Innovative Outside Broadcast or Special Event Broadcast: Rebuild Nepal: Live Concert, Bay FM 99.9 (NSW)

Troy Garner Excellence in Sports Programming: The CAAMA Sports Show, CAAMA Radio (NT)

Excellence in Technical Services: 6SEN Capital Community Radio (WA)

National Documentary and Features Competition: Sue Reece, Radio Adelaide (SA)

The Awards were part of the CBAA conference, which included a keynote from media activist Wendy Bacon who applauded the sector for its important role in giving communities their voice, opining , “Community radio is the most democratic thing in Australian media.”

An audio of Bacon’s speech will be available shortly on www.cbaa.org.au, along with reports on panels. These included one on developing digital community radio which touched on the challenge of a Government funding shortfall from next June. Funding was also addressed by Community Council of Australia CEO David Crosbie’s plenary session (“Don’t be a brand, be a movement!”) in which he pointed out, “The way the government approaches our sector is changing, and so are their expectations. The reality is that governments are seeking to gain greater returns from their investment in the charity and not-for-profit sector.”