ABC Local Radio Award winners

Winners of the 2003 ABC Local Radio awards were announced last night during a presentation ceremony at L’Aqua restaurant in Darling Harbour, Sydney. The awards ceremony is incorporated into a 2-day broadcasters forum for all winners and finalists, which covers issues affecting ABC Local Radio broadcasters across Australia.

The winner of the prestigeous Broadcaster of the Year award was Jon Faine from 774 ABC Melbourne. Accepting his award Faine thanked “every producer who has worked with me over the years and every manager, even the ones who sacked me.” He also thanked former 3AW drive presenter Stan Zemanek saying: “Stan showed the real difference between the ABC and the others.”

The major Station of the Year awards went to 774 ABC Melbourne (Metropolitan) and ABC New England North West (Regional). 774 Manager Ian Mannix acknowledged his staff during his acceptance speech, saying: “Our success continues because of the job done by everyone in the team.” New England Manager Andrea Ho talked about the importance of regional stations at the coalface of audience contact saying: “In the regionals we are the front line of the ABC and we are holding up our position well.”

Attended by politicians, key community and industry representatives plus ABC staff, the awards celebrate “the dedication and talent that go into creating great radio for local communities throughout Australia.”

Presenting the first batch of awards, Director of Radio Sue Howard said: “This is a chance for us to say ‘we do great things’ and to celebrate what we do well. This evening is a celebration of radio and highlights the quality and dedication of our staff. On behalf of the ABC, I’d like to congratulate all the participants in the awards and particularly those who have success this evening.”

Comedian and evening show presenter James O’Loughlin, who was the host of the evening, described the event as a cross between “the Logies and a school presentation night” and then gave an amusing summary of the day’s training sessions, before moving on the awards.

Head of Local Radio Michael Mason told the audience: “We had a record 215 entries this year, celebrating the hard work put in by the 550 local radio staff in our 58 stations.”

The awards were presented by, NSW Premier Bob Carr, ABC Managing Director Russell Balding, Sydney Lord Mayor Lucy Turnbull, Director of ABC New Media Lynley Marshall, and Sue Howard.

Bob Carr, who was previously a journalist with the ABC, revealed that in his first ABC job application he listed a voiceover course, which he had completed to improve his speaking skills, and included Transcendental Meditation as one of his interests. “Well I was a child of my generation!” he joked. “I went from radio to being Premier, but in Victoria Jeff Kennett did it the other way around.”

On a more serious note, Carr said: “This is a golden age for the ABC… What unites you is that you believe in public broadcasting.”

Open to all broadcasters and producers within the ABC’s 9 metropolitan and 50 regional stations, the awards celebrate the best of Local Radio across Australia. ABC The winners were:


Best Coverage by a News or CAFF Journalist on a Local Radio Program

VIC Mark Debono

Best Coverage of an Event or Story by a Sports Broadcaster

NSW Caroline Davison, “Steve Waugh’s brilliant century at the SCG in the 5th Test between Australia and England”

Best Marketing Campaign

Newcastle “1233 ABC Newcastle Music Awards”, ABC Marketing Newcastle –
Meegan Jones

Best New Talent

NSW Ashley Hall

Best Promo Production

WA Adam Sallur

Network (NLR) Program of the Year

Sunday Profile – Monica Attard

Online Feature / Website of the Year

NSW abc.net.au/newengland – Peter Gunders

Rural Reporter of the Year

SA Fleur Bainger

Comedy Segment of the Year

NSW “Russell Crowe – Mastermind” and “Barnsey” Humour Australia (James O’Loghlin & Evan Croker)

Community Event of the Year

Newcastle “1233 ABC Newcastle Music Awards”, 1233 ABC Newcastle

Outside Broadcast of the Year

Newcastle “A Day in the Life of John Hunter Hospital”, 1233 ABC Newcastle

Outstanding Coverage of a Local Story

ACT 666 ABC Canberra, “Bushfire Coverage”

Outstanding Feature/Package by an Individual

Newcastle “Helicopter Rescue Series”, Philip Ashley-Brown

Local Program of the Year (Metropolitan)

NSW Breakfast with Angela Catterns, 702 ABC Sydney

Local Program of the Year (Regional)

QLD ABC Capricornia Morning program

Broadcaster of the Year

VIC Jon Faine

Station of the Year (Regional)

NSW ABC New England, North West

Station of the Year (Metropolitan)

VIC 774 ABC Melbourne


Outstanding Contribution to Local Radio by an Individual

NSW Julie Sharp