After 12 years in broadcasting, including the last three in New Zealand, Phil Edwards is moving back to Australia in early February to take up a new role as chief broadcasting officer at Christian radio group Vision FM.

The Edwards family is returning just in time for the network’s fifth birthday celebrations, on the first weekend of
February. It started on one frequency in Beaudesert on February 1, 1999. When they moved to New Zealand in
2001, there were less than 40 Vision FM stations on air. Today, there are 156 nationwide.

All receive 100% Christian music and teaching programs via satellite from its
broadcast operations centre in Underwood, Queensland. Community interest has brought the station to
dozens of other communities across Australia as soon as funding can be raised and listeners also tune in via the
internet (click below).

Edwards says Christian broadcasting has seen incredible growth over recent years: “The growth of Australian Christian radio over the last decade has been amazing. I’m really looking forward to contributing to the continued impact of Christian radio in Australia through Vision FM.”

The challenges of a large national network are nothing new for Edwards, who until recently was networks program
manager at Rhema Broadcasting Group (RBG), New Zealand’s national Christian broadcaster. He was responsible
for the direction of the group’s three radio brands – Rhema, Life fm and Southern Star – each of which focuses on a
different age group. He led the broadcasting staff and directed all aspects of programming, on air promotions and
editorial of the three radio brands.

Prior to his time with Rhema NZ, Edwards spent nine years in broadcasting and programming at commercial stations in New South Wales and Victoria, including NEW FM Newcastle, 2GO Gosford, 2NM/Power FM Hunter Valley, 105.7
The River Albury, 3SR and Sun FM Shepparton and Sun FM Mount Buller.

Vision FM chief executive Ian Worby says he is looking forward to Phil Edwards joining the team: “We believe Phil will bring
new focus to the Vision FM product, help build the existing broadcast team and take the network to a new level in
terms of professionalism and excellence in broadcasting. But more importantly, we will keep true to the Vision of
maintaining personal interaction with our main stakeholders, the listeners, through innovative and compelling
programming that meets their spiritual and emotional needs as well as providing a wholesome line up of unique and
informative entertainment for the whole Aussie family!”