Former Chairman of Hope Media and Australia’s well loved newsreader, Roger Climpson, received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent CMA Connect Annual Gala Awards night. The award was presented by current Hope Media Chairman, and CMA Board Member – Stephen O’Doherty.
Best known for his 20 years as News Anchor for Channel Seven, and host of ‘This is Your Life’ and ‘Australia’s Most Wanted’, Roger was also a regular radio presenter and member of the Board of Hope Media for many years, and served as Chairman from 1995 until his retirement in 2004.
Hope’s Technical Operations Manager, Stephen Wilkinson, was also honoured as ‘Most Valuable Person to Christian Media’. In addition to his full time position at Hope Media, Stephen works tirelessly, and most often voluntarily, assisting regional community radio stations across Australia with their studio installations and ongoing technical support.
Christian Media Australia is the peak industry body representing Christian Media communicators in Australia and the Connect Conference, held in May each year on the Gold Coast, is the largest national gathering for Christian Communicators featuring speakers from Australia and around the world – covering: Leadership, Communications and Culture, Business and Professional Development. One of the aspirations of the CMA Connect is to promote excellence and creativity in media. That’s why this year for the first time they opened up three new awards categories including Outstanding Newcomer Award, Most Valuable Person, and Best Program. The MVP award recognises the person who has made a significant contribution to the Christian Media Industry in Australia during 2013.
Winner Stephen Wilkinson had no idea he was even nominated! Typically, he was at the back of the Ballroom during the Gala Awards working with the AV Team, completely unaware when his name was announced as the winner. ‘The names had been left blank on the run sheet, and I just pressed play to announce the next winner – then did a double take when I heard my name!’, Stephen explained.
The entire team at Hope Media are incredibly proud of Stephen and Roger and their selfless contributions to our organisation and the entire industry.
