Two new names for CBAA board

Two new names were elected to the board of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) at its recent AGM.

Tony Smythe, Station Manager at Sydney’s Eastside Radio 89.7FM, joined as Director.

Tess Lawley, new GM of Melbourne youth station SYN, was nominated as Youth Representative for the next two years.

With Adrian Basso (Melbourne’s 3PBS) as CBAA President, re-elected for second terms were Sydney Christian station Hope 103.2 CEO Phillip Randall (Vice President), 98.9 North West FM member Jean Rau (Treasurer) and Sydney TAFE Head Teacher of Media Natalie Pozdeev.

The CBAA this month held its annual conference in Adelaide. Basso thanked the 25,000 involved in the lobbying campaign against the Commission of Audit’s recommendation that funding for community broadcasting be abolished. Blasso pointed out, a “key Australian broadcasting pillar [is to] … build a strong democracy … and maintain a vibrant culture”, and that 5 million per week tune into community radio stations across the country.

Keynote speaker, Greig “HG Nelson” Pickhaver spoke of his beginning in community radio and how it held him in stead as he went on to climb the ranks of mainstream media. His qualifications, he admitted, were “bugger all” but it was always more important to give listeners’ a choice of opinions. He also highlighted the necessity of always bringing in fresh talent.

Creating a station culture of engaging with youth and politicians, and constant evolution, was a recurring message at the conference. So were the need to keep taking risks while keeping listeners and stakeholders informed of the pros and cons, and the effective use of social media and new technology to widen listener reach in the era of multi-tasking. See cbaa.org.au for full report.