Established in 2001, the ABC Local Radio Awards were developed to celebrate the dedication and talent that go into creating great radio for local communities throughout Australia.
Open to all broadcasters and producers from nine metropolitan and 51 regional stations across the country, award categories recognise individual and station excellence and include metropolitan and regional broadcaster and station of the year, sports and rural broadcasting and website production, as well as coverage of significant local community events.
Director, ABC Radio and Awards Judge Sue Howard told radioinfo the awards highlight the commitment and achievements of Local Radio program makers.
“This year saw a record number of entries from across the country. The high calibre of work showcases Local Radio’s breadth of talent across our 60 metropolitan and regional stations.”
“I congratulate all finalists on their nomination and wish them every success.”
The winners of the 2006 ABC Local Radio Awards will be announced in Adelaide on Thursday 11 May at an awards ceremony hosted by Greig Pickhaver (aka H G Nelson).
The awards incorporate a two-day broadcasters’ forum for all finalists. Held on 11 and 12 May, the forum will address issues affecting metropolitan and regional program makers.
2006 ABC LOCAL RADIO AWARDS – FINALISTS
Station of the Year (regional)
ABC Capricornia QLD
ABC Goulburn Murray VIC
ABC North Coast NSW
Station of the Year (metropolitan)
891 ABC Adelaide SA
1233 ABC Newcastle NSW
774 ABC Melbourne VIC
Broadcaster Of The Year
Virginia Trioli – 774 ABC Melbourne Drive & 702 ABC Sydney Mornings NSW
Simon Marnie – 702 ABC Sydney Weekends NSW
Red Symons – 774 ABC Melbourne Breakfast VIC
Rural Reporter of the Year
Adrienne Francis – NT Country Hour NT
Outstanding Contribution To Local Radio By A Sports Broadcaster
Simone Thurtell & Caroline Davison for Northern Grandstand NSW
Gerard Whateley for AFL 2005 VIC
Peter Walsh for general coverage SA
Highly commended
Aaron Kearney for Newcastle Jets inaugural A-League season NEWC
Local Program of the Year (metropolitan)
Mornings with Matthew Abraham & David Bevan – 891 ABC Adelaide SA
Mornings with Jon Faine – 774 ABC Melbourne VIC
Evenings with Peter Goers – 891 ABC Adelaide SA
Local Program of the Year (regional)
Statewide Drive with Kathy Bedford – ABC Victoria VIC
The Big Fish with Snagger Brown – Bonita Brown and Lyndall Bell – ABC Illawarra NSW
Drive with Barry Nicholls – 783 ABC Alice Springs NT
Outside Broadcast Of The Year
783 ABC Alice Springs – Finke Desert Race NT
702 ABC Sydney Drive – Royal Easter Show 2005 NSW
774 ABC Melbourne Mornings – King Khalid College VIC
SA Rural – A week on the road to Oodnadatta SA
Community Event of the Year
ABC Rural – The Country Hour 60th Anniversary Roadshow NAT
891 ABC Adelaide Mornings – Beanie Bonanza SA
999 ABC Broken Hill – OB from Silver City Cinema in Broken Hill SA
Best New Talent on Local Radio
Aaron Kearney – 1233 ABC Newcastle NEWC
Rohan Barwick – 702 ABC Sydney NSW
Matt Dowling – ABC Goulburn Murray (Shepparton) VIC
Marketing Campaign of the Year
Robyn Gifford – “Alice Springs Radio Survey Campaign”, 783 ABC Alice Springs NT
Angela Scrymgour – “Men’s Cooking Campaign”, 1233 ABC Newcastle NEWC
Natalene Muscat – “Red’s Ring Tones”, 774 ABC Melbourne VIC