Fox FM’s comic drive time duo Hamish and Andy have taken the award for Best-On Air team at this year’s 20th Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs). Other winners announced this evening at a gala ceremony on the Gold Coast include 3AW’s Neil Mitchell who won best Talk Presenter for the third year in a row, and 2GB’s Laura Tunstall who took home the Brian White Memorial Award for excellence in journalism.
Taking the crown away from last year’s winners, Kyle and Jackie O, the Melbourne pair’s Hamish and Andy Show also took home awards for Best Networked Program; Best Station Promotion and Best On-Air Team Producer for Sam Cavanagh.
Other major awards announced before a crowd of more than 900 commercial radio staff were:
• Best Current Affairs Commentator – 3AW’s Derryn Hinch
• Best Sports Presenter – 2GB’s Ray Hadley
• Best News Presenter – AM Steve Blanda, 2UE Sydney and FM Kristy Warner, Nova Sydney
• Best Newcomer On-Air – Vega Melbourne’s Ian “Dicko” Dickson
• Best Music Personality – Triple M, Melbourne’s Mike Fitzpatrick
Special guests at the Awards ceremony were Pakistan’s cricketing legend and politician Imran Khan, and British television personality, Nigel Lythgoe.
The national Awards, organised by Commercial Radio Australia, cover all metropolitan, provincial and country commercial radio stations with winners announced for each of these three areas in 31 categories. The categories encompass all aspects of commercial radio including news, talkback, sport and music.
This year’s MC was Andrew G from Australian Idol who also hosts Australia’s biggest weekly radio countdown, “Take 40 Australia”.
Categories: Country, Provincial, NonMetropolitan, Metropolitan
BEST ON-AIR TEAM
The Juice with Jase and Josh, Jason Scheidl and Josh Torney, 96.1 Star FM, Mount Gambier, SA, Macquarie Southern Cross Media C
Scotty and Nige for Breakfast, Scott Masters and Nigel Johnson, FM 104.7, Canberra, ACT, ARN/ Austereo P
The Hamish and Andy Show, Fox FM 101.9, Melbourne, VIC, Austereo M
BEST TALK PRESENTER
Craig Huth, 2RE, Taree, NSW, Super Network C
Mike Welsh, Mike Welsh Drive Show, 2CC, Canberra, ACT, Capital Radio P
Neil Mitchell, 3AW Morning, 3AW, Melbourne, VIC, Fairfax Radio Network M
BEST MUSIC PERSONALITY
Cameron Williams, 97.7 Snow FM, Cooma, NSW, Capital Radio C
Peter ‘Scooter’ Carter, Sea FM, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Macquarie Southern Cross Media P
Mike Fitzpatrick, Triple M, Melbourne, VIC, Austereo M
BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS COMMENTATOR
Derryn Hinch, 3AW, Melbourne, VIC, Fairfax Radio Network
BRIAN WHITE MEMORIAL AWARD
Laura Tunstall, 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Macquarie Radio Network
BEST SPORTS PRESENTER
Geoff Mann, 2DU Sports, 2DU, Dubbo, NSW, Super Network C
Steve Allan, 2GO Good Sports, 2GO FM 107.7, Gosford, NSW, Macquarie Southern Cross Media P
Ray Hadley, 2GB Sports, 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Macquarie Radio Network M
BEST NEWS PRESENTER
Lois Chislett, 3YB, Warrnambool, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Rod McLeod, 92.5 Gold FM, Gold Coast, QLD, Macquarie Southern Cross Media P
Steve Blanda, 2UE, Sydney, NSW, Fairfax Radio Network (AM) M
Kristy Warner, Nova 969, Sydney, NSW, DMG Radio Australia (FM) M
BEST PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Damien ‘Will’ Willoughby, 93.5 Star FM, Dubbo, NSW, Macquarie Southern Cross Media C
Andrew Very, KO FM/ NX FM, Newcastle, NSW, Austereo P
Jamie Angel, 2Day FM, Sydney, NSW, Austereo M
BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR
Karina Singer, Sea FM, Maryborough, QLD, Macquarie Southern Cross Media C
Olivia Belvedere, 90.9 Sea FM, Gold Coast, QLD, Macquarie Southern Cross Media P
Kate Casey, Nova106.9, Brisbane, QLD, DMG Radio Australia M
BEST SHOW PRODUCER – ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC
Chae Rogan, The Bigger Breakfast, 96.5 Wave FM, Wollongong, NSW, Grant Broadcasting NM
Sam Cavanagh, The Hamish and Andy Show, Fox FM 101.9, Melbourne, VIC, Austereo M
BEST SHOW PRODUCER – TALK & CURRENT AFFAIRS
Michael Thompson, Mike Welsh Drive Show, 2CC, Canberra, ACT, Capital Radio NM
Justin Smith, 3AW Mornings – Neil Mitchell, 3AW, Melbourne, VIC, Fairfax Radio Network M
BEST DOCUMENTARY
The Killer Highway, Brooklyn Hulands, 2EC/ Power FM, Bega, NSW, Grant Broadcasting NM
Remembrance Day, Sideshow Mike Andersen, Triple M, Sydney, NSW, Austereo M
BEST MUSIC SPECIAL
The Life and Times of Michael Hutchence, The Sea FM Morning Crew, Sea FM, Bundaberg, QLD, Macquarie Southern Cross Media C
Blue Suede Cadillac – 51 Years of Elvis, Rob Sharples and Lachlan Kitchen, i98, Wollongong, NSW, Win Corporation P
Jabba and Foo Fighters, Stefan Mitchell and Daniel Pearson, Nova 969, Sydney, NSW, DMG Radio Australia M
BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE
2007 South West Football League Finals Series, Daniel Leach, 6TZ RadioWest, Bunbury, WA, Macquarie Southern Cross Media NM
Melbourne’s New Home of Footy, 1116 SEN Football, 1116 SEN, Melbourne, VIC, Victorian Radio Network M
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL
Get the Right Translation – Books Plus, Katrina Brown and Christopher Baskerville, 1503 2BS Gold/ B-Rock FM 99.3, Bathurst, NSW, Bathurst Broadcasters C
Chooks Chickens – The Movies, Rob Sharples and Clinton James, i98, Wollongong, NSW, Win Corporation P
QLD Racing ‘Jockeys’, Nathan Russell, Nova 106.9, Brisbane, QLD, DMG Radio Australia M
BEST PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR
Tania Kimmins, i98, Wollongong, NSW, Win Corporation NM
Kate Edwards, 2GB/ 2CH, Sydney, NSW, Macquarie Radio Network M
BEST STATION PROMOTION
Counting Down the Countdowns, David Bauche and Louise Poole, 2NM, Muswellbrook, NSW, Grant Broadcasting C
NX FM’s Save Wayne Campaign, NX FM Promotions Team, NX FM, Newcastle, NSW, Austereo P
Caravan of Courage, The Hamish and Andy Show, Fox FM 101.9, Melbourne, VIC, Austereo M
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMEDY SEGMENT
Ben Cousins Nasal Delivery, David Greensmith, Sea FM, Maryborough, QLD, Macquarie Southern Cross Media C
Organ Donation, Luke Bradnam, 102.9 FM, Gold Coast, QLD, Hot Tomato P
Help I’m An Ant, Matt Hale, 96 FM, Perth, WA, Fairfax Radio Network M
BEST NETWORKED PROGRAM
The Dirty 30, Trent McCurdy, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
The Benchwarmers, Ant and Becks, Macquarie Southern Cross Media P
The Hamish and Andy Show, Today Network, Austereo M
BEST SYNDICATED AUSTRALIAN PROGRAM
Cover to Cover, MCM Entertainment, Melbourne, VIC
BEST STATION SALES ACHIEVEMENT
Esperance Radio Centre, 747 RadioWest, Esperance, WA, Macquarie Southern Cross Media C
Flow FM Sales Team, Flow FM, Kapunda, SA, W&L Phillips P
Radio 4BC Sales Team, 4BC, Brisbane, QLD, Fairfax Radio Network M
BEST AGENCY SALESPERSON
Paul Friend, Sydney, NSW, Regional Mediaworks, Macquarie Southern Cross Media NM
Melody Rowe, Mix 102.3, Adelaide, SA, Australian Radio Network M
BEST DIRECT SALESPERSON
Jenni Puccini, 6MM/ Coast FM, Mandurah, WA, West Coast Radio C
Michelle Imbruglia, 90.9 Sea FM, Gold Coast, QLD, Macquarie Southern Cross Media P
Sean Jenkins, Nova 969, Sydney, NSW, DMG Radio Australia M
BEST SALES PROMOTION
Mount Gambier 4 Hour Sale, Rosangela Crispino, 5SE/ 96.1 Star FM, Mount Gambier, SA, Macquarie Southern Cross Media C
Sea FM’s Brain Freeze with McDonald’s Frozen Coke, 90.9 Sea FM , Gold Coast, QLD, Macquarie Southern Cross Media P
Unilever ‘Win a Desperate Housewives House’ Promotion, Scott Player, 2Day FM, Sydney, NSW, Austereo M
BEST COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
Plasma For A Plasma, Liana Lambert and Stephany Winter, Sea FM, Bundaberg, QLD, Macquarie Southern Cross Media C
Marty and Erica’s Camp Quality Convoy for Kids, Marty Haynes, Erica Hodge and Tania Kimmins, i98, Wollongong, NSW, Win Corporation P
Girls Bike Convoy, Merrick Watts, Tim Ross, Kate Ritchie, Tim Dwyer and Emily Murch, Nova 969, Sydney, NSW, DMG Radio Australia M
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION
Trent McCurdy, 3WM/ Mixx FM, Horsham, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Mike Young, The Edge 96.1, Western Sydney, NSW, Australian Radio Network P
Sideshow Mike Andersen, Triple M, Sydney, NSW, Austereo M
ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE
John Pearce, Paperless Creative Production, Sea FM 101.3/ 2GO FM 107.7, Gosford, NSW, Macquarie Southern Cross Media NM
Bryan Amos, Playout System Remote Audio Import System, Triple M Network, Austereo M
BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – SALES
The Thank You Project, Eric Stephens and Claudine Hall, Mix FM Network, Australian Radio Network
BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – STATION
Matt and Jo’s Nude Wedding, Fox FM 101.9, Melbourne, VIC, Austereo
MOST POPULAR STATION MANAGER
Paul Gadsen, 3SH/ Mixx FM, Swan Hill, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
John Williams, Sea FM/ 92.7 Mix FM, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Macquarie Southern Cross Media P
Richard Barker, B105/ Triple M, Brisbane, QLD, Austereo M
BEST NEWCOMER ON-AIR
Simone Jade Kelly, FM 104.7, Grafton, NSW, Super Network C
Brad Blissett, Sea FM, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Macquarie Southern Cross Media P
Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson, Vega 91.5, Melbourne, VIC, DMG Radio Australia M
BEST NEWCOMER OFF-AIR
Josie Hand, 93.5 Star FM, Dubbo, NSW, Macquarie Southern Cross Media C
Rebecca Bell, 92.7 Mix FM, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Macquarie Southern Cross Media P
Jacqueline Levett, 2UE, Sydney, NSW, Fairfax Radio Network M
