Day two of the conference kicked off with a vibrant discussion around the idea of Community Broadcasting and what it might look like in 20 years time.

CBAA Head of Marketing and Engagement, Tahlia Azaria began the discussion with her predictions of what the future looks like for the community broadcasting sector declaring that in 2035 community broadcasting would be redefined, but it will continue to be different to other forms of media.

The first session after lunch at today's CBAA Conferrence was a listening showcase highlighting the audio that has been produced for the National Features and Documentaries series this year. 

Earlier this year Producers were invited to submit their idea for a feature or documentary and, after receiving many excellent submissions, 12 individuals were chosen to undertake mentoring and training with the Community Media Training Organisation (CMTO) to bring their idea to fruition.

A new digital Radio service for the Print Handicapped (RPH) has been launched in Perth, returning radio reading services to those in the community with a print disability.

The service, called IRIS Perth, is part of a suite of free-to-access Perth community digital radio services. IRIS, is restoring a radio reading service for the local blind and low vision community.

The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia has announced a number of changes effective today.  This decision follows strategic planning undertaken in 2014, with the new structure designed to better leverage expertise and knowledge-sharing to support the CBAA in its capability building and sector leadership roles.

Key personnel updates include:

The CBAA is offering 15 scholarships valued at almost $1,100 each for community radio station representatives to attend this year's conference.

Community Radio president Adrian Basso is disappointed in some of the budget measures announced last night.

The community sector is worried about the "pause" on community funding and is also concerned about whether legislation to protect journalists will extend to community broadcasters.
 

Research released today shows that 1 in 4 Australians are tuning into community radio each week, and the reason it seems is "local, local, local".

According to the latest Community Radio National Listener Survey, released by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, people are spending an average of 17 hours each week listening to community radio, with the majority of listeners describing community radio services as valuable.