On The Dial: WSFM’s Jonesy injured in bike accident; SYN launch national station; Eskimo Stu joins 96FM
WSFM’s Jonesy injured in motorbike accident
WSFM’s Brendan ’Jonesy’ Jones was involved in a small motorbike accident on the weekend while riding from Port Macquarie to Sydney.
He came off his bike before it cartwheeled and crashed. He will stay in a Newcastle hospital for the next 24 hours.
Jonesy hasn’t had a sick day in a decade but will most probably take a few days off to recover.
NZ radio presenter makes tearful apology
Last week, NZ radio/TV host Rachel Smalley was busted calling New Zealand women “heifers” and “a bunch of lardos”, after discussing a contraceptive pill that was apparently less effective in women who weighed more than 70kg when the average weight of NZ women is 72kg.
Later in the week she then made a tearful on-air apology.
RN settle on fill in hosts for Fran Kelly
With Fran Kelly taking a three month break from Radio National breakfast to host Insiders on ABC TV, two fill-in hosts have been appointed.
Ellen Fanning will host from April 22 – June 6, with RN Breakfast regular reporter James Carleton doing the show from June 9 – August 4.
Ellen says: “I have had a long history with the ABC. It is great to be back, especially to be fronting such a significant morning program. I have enormous respect for Fran Kelly and RN, and am excited to be joining the show.”
SYN launch new national digital radio service
SYN Nation has been launched by Federal Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
The new community digital radio channel airs content produced and presented by young people from around Australia, starting with Byron Bay, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Warrnambool and Gippsland in Victoria.
Turnbull says: “Young people are at the forefront of new technology and SYN Nation is a great example of that. This project is innovative in the way it uses digital and online media and will help amplify the diverse voices of young people across this country.”
SYN Nation will be heard on digital radio in Melbourne and will also stream at syn.org.au.
Fred Botica exits Mix 94.5 after 21 years
Mix 94.5’s Fred Botica has announced that he will be leaving after 21 years with the Perth station. He was on breakfast for most of that time and recently came back from long service leave to present drive with Lisa Shaw.
Fred said: “In over 44 years, I have been on seven radio stations in NZ and Australia, and the longest time has been on mix94.5: over 21 years. That’s a long time.
“So many relationships, so many achievements, and so many memories. So difficult to make the decision to leave. But I feel it’s time to move on. Time for another chapter.”
Eskimo Joe guitarist joins 96FM
Eskimo Joe guitarist Stuart MacLeod is joining 96FM in Perth to host a weekend show.
He will join station drive host Darren DeMello to present the 96FM Rock List which airs Saturday arvo’s from 4-6. The show is a countdown of Perth’s best new rock songs compiled from download charts and 96FM’s online music panel.
MacLeod said: “I grew up in Freo listening to 96FM, so it makes sense that when I thought of doing some radio presenting, 96FM is where I wanted to work”.
MOVES
Snow FM in the Snowy Mountains has appointed The Edge’s Emily Goddard to co-host their breakfast show.
Matt Fulton is leaving 104.7/Mix Canberra and will be Triple M Brisbane’s new Image Producer mainly working on breakfast. He starts April 14.
Andy Wells, formerly of MCM Media, has joined Light FM Melbourne as Production Manager, overseeing both commercial production and station imaging.
Sian Gard is the new breakfast host and Content Manager for ABC Gippsland.
Stacey June from Hot FM Cairns is moving to do breakfast at Star FM Shepparton with Tommy Jackett.
Nova 100 audio producer Neil Pagett is leaving and will relocate back to Perth to work at SCA’s Mix 94.5 from April 22.
2CC breakfast newsreader Marcus Paul is moving to host drive and will replace Luke Bona. Luke is the new network mid dawn announcer on Fairfax Radio based at 2UE.
James Toovey is moving from TEN to be Nova Entertainment’s Sydney Publicity Manager.
Stephanie MacFie is the new arvo announcer / MD at Chilli FM in Launceston. She was previously at FM 100.3 Armidale.
New Zealand radio network MediaWorks has appointed Wendy Palmer as their new CEO.
Candy Hertz has left Star FM Shepparton to pursue her dream of being on TV.
2CC drive presenter Luke Bona is leaving the Canberra station after 6 months to host network mid dawns on Fairfax Radio, based at 2UE.
JOBS
ARN are looking for a Sales Manager for Mix 106.3 in Canberra
Mushroom Promotions has a vacancy for a Senior National Radio Manager
The Capital Radio Network has a role available for an Announcer based in the Snowy Mountains
ARN are looking has a role available in Melbourne for a Broadcast Technician Traineeship
C91.3 FM in Campbelltown has a vacancy for a Commercial Producer
Capital Radio Network in Canberra has a vacancy for a Journalist
NXFM in Newcastle has a vacancy for a Breakfast Producer
Nova 100 in Melbourne has a vacancy for a Breakfast Show Audio Producer
Nova 96.9 in Sydney has a vacancy for an Integration Project Manager
6PR in Perth has a vacancy for a Nights Presenter
Nova 106.9 in Brisbane has a vacancy for an Integration Manager
Light FM are looking for Casual Weekend Announcers