On Saturday evening, 10 November, hundreds of community broadcasters from across Australia gathered on the Gold Coast for the 2018 CBAA Community Radio Awards.
The Tony Staley Award for Excellence in Community Broadcasting was awarded to Sydney's 2MFM Muslim Community Radio 92.1 for its achievements in actively promoting the values of community broadcasting across democracy, diversity, access and independence. Faten El Dana OAM was present to accept the award, and shared her touching journey as a midwife, refugee and community broadcaster. Her message was one of encouragement to her community, particularly women.
The award's namesake Tony Staley, who was instrumental in the birth of community radio in Australia, shared his pride in the sector and in this year's winner.
"The winner of the Tony Staley award epitomises the great values on which community broadcasting was founded, which are so crucial and are a great example of democracy in action."
CBAA Chief Executive Officer Jon Bisset says the awards are a highlight each year.
"It's been fantastic to recognise more achievements than ever before in 2018. The work of the winners is a glimpse into impact of community radio and what it is that the 5.7 million listeners across the country tune in for each week. These programs, stations and people play a role in giving Australian communities access to rich, diverse, participatory and reflective media, strengthening communities and providing a platform for important conversations within and between them."
In 2018, the CBAA introduced a number of new awards to its annual event, which now recognises excellence in community broadcasting across 33 categories. The winners were diverse and representative of the sector, with recipients from a variety of locations, sizes and communities.
A full list of award winners is available below.
2018 CBAA Community Radio Award Winners
| National Features & Documentary Series: |
The Runners' Guide - Katharina Loesche, The Runners' Guide, 4EB (Brisbane, QLD) |
| Best Station Production: |
Passing on Wisdom: Jason's Diabetes Story - Radio MAMA (Midwest Aboriginal Media Association) (Geraldton, WA) |
| Best Station Fundraising Campaign: |
Your Voice for Hope Appeal – June 2017 - Light FM 89.9 (Melbourne, VIC) |
| Best Station Fundraising Campaign – Small Station: |
Radiothon Month - MAINfm 94.9 (Castlemaine, VIC) |
| Best New Radio Program: |
Rainbow KINection - Noongar Radio 100.9 FM (Perth, WA) |
| Best Radio Program – Music: |
Top 100 Indigenous Songs of All Time - 3KND 1503 AM (Melbourne, VIC) |
| Best Radio Program – Talks: |
Talk the Talk - RTRFM 92.1 (Perth, WA) |
| Excellence In Training: |
3PVR Plenty Valley FM 88.6 (Melbourne, VIC) |
| Contribution to Australian Music – Radio Program: |
2 WINNERS: Breaking Bands - 2RRR 88.5 FM (Henley, NSW) & Definition Radio - 1WAY FM 91.9 (Canberra, ACT) |
| Contribution to Australian Music- Initiative: |
Tracks - FBi Radio (Sydney, NSW) |
| Outstanding Youth Contribution: |
Catherine Webb (SYN Media, Melbourne, VIC / Gippsland FM 104.7, Morwell, VIC) |
| Outstanding Volunteer Contribution: |
Matoc Achol (3ZZZ, Melbourne, VIC) |
| Excellence in Technical Services: |
Richard Fleming (2ser 107.3, Sydney, NSW) |
| Excellence in Technical Innovation: |
Gerard Pyne (QRAM, QLD) |
| Excellence In Journalism: |
Mia Armitage (Bay FM 99.9, Byron Bay, NSW) |
| Excellence In Indigenous Engagement: |
Wangki Radio (Fitzroy Crossing, WA) |
| Excellence In Indigenous Broadcasting: |
Marion Cheedy's Juluwarlu Gems - Ngaarda Radio (Roeburne, WA) |
| Excellence In Ethnic and Multicultural Engagement: |
4EB FM 98.1 (Brisbane, QLD) |
| Excellence In Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasting: |
Sri Lankan Show - 3MDR 97.1 FM (Melbourne, VIC) |
| Excellence In Community Engagement: |
4MBS (Brisbane, QLD) |
| Excellence In News & Current Affairs Programming: |
Another World - Eastside 89.7 FM (Sydney, NSW) |
| Troy Garner Excellence in Sports Programming: |
Sunday Sports Round Up - Alive 90.5 FM (Baulkham Hills, NSW) |
| Excellence In Creative Audio: |
The Tourist - Vision Australia Radio Perth (WA) |
| Excellence In Innovative Programming and Content: |
TGIYES - FBi Radio (Sydney, NSW) |
| Excellence in Music Presenting: |
Jason Heath (JOY 94.9, Melbourne, VIC) |
| Excellence In Digital |
