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Highlights of the 2023 ACRA Awards: Jonesy & Amanda crowned Best On Air Team, Neil Mitchell wins Best Talk Presenter, Ben Fordham named Best Current Affairs Presenter, and Kyle Sandilands receives the inaugural Individual Talent of the Year Award 

Much-loved breakfast radio duo Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller have been crowned the Best On Air Team (Metro) at the 34^th annual Australian Commercial Radio & Audio (ACRA) Awards, announced tonight at a gala event held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney. 
 
It is the fourth time the WSFM stars have won the award, taking it home previously in 2012, 2014 and 2019.  
 
The ‘Kyle & Jackie O Hour of Power’ has been named as Best Networked Program, while Kyle Sandilands received the inaugural Individual Talent of the Year Award (Metro), from a highly competitive field including his on-air partner Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, Christian O’Connell, Jase Hawkins, Ray Hadley, Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald and ‘Ugly’ Phil O’Neill.
 
Retiring 3AW legend Neil Mitchell has won Best Talk Presenter (Metro) for the eighth time, as well receiving the award for Best News Event Coverage for the Victorian floods. 2GB’s Ben Fordham was named Best Current Affairs Presenter for a second time.

Commercial RAdio & Audio Chief Executive Officer Ford Ennals has congratulated tonight’s winners and all finalists on their achievements
 
“The ACRA Awards recognise the talent, commitment and passion that goes into making radio the enduring and influential medium that it is, and I thank our winners and finalists for their outstanding work,” said Mr Ennals.  
  
Two legends of Queensland radio have been inducted into the Hall of Fame at tonight’s ceremony: Laurel Edwards (4BC, Nine Radio) and Steve ‘Pricey’ Price (Triple M Townsville, SCA).   
 
Laurel has been Brisbane’s ‘Queen of Breakfast Radio’ for more than 30 years. At 4KQ she became the longest serving female announcer of the same program in Australian history, before moving to breakfast at 4BC with Gary Clare and Mark Hine in 2022.
 
Pricey has been on-air in Townsville for more than five decades, including 32 years on breakfast radio at 102.3 Triple M Townsville (originally 4TO). In May this year he announced his retirement from breakfast radio and will leave his beloved studio for the final time on Christmas Day.
 
Minster for Communications, Michelle Rowland sent her congratulations on the night, acknowledging the commercial radio industry’s “tireless efforts in keeping Australia connected, informed and entertained” since the first broadcast 100 years ago.
 
“Through war, drought and flood and through profound changes in society, shifts in the economy and a transformation in technology – radio has stood the test of time and continues to punch above its weight when it comes to contributing to the diversity of voices and local stories in our media sector.
 
“For 34 years the ACRA Awards have honoured the talent and dedication of those within the industry who have brought news, talk, sport, music and entertainment to our homes and cars, uniting us all in a way that is both fresh and enduring. I congratulate the many winners and finalists at tonight’s awards,” said Minister Rowland.
 
Australia’s love of podcasts was recognised with five podcast awards, including the first Podcast Host of the Year Award, won by Abbie Chatfield (It’s A Lot, LiSTNR, SCA) and the internationally acclaimed ‘The Children in the Pictures Podcast’ (LiSTNR, SCA) as Podcast of the Year.
 
“The commercial radio industry is growing and evolving in a very exciting way – with new audio forms and new digital platforms,” Mr Ennals said.
 
“Podcasts and audio streaming are being embraced by listeners and the ACRA Awards recognise not only the potential of this market, but the superb Australian content being produced right now.”
 
The 2023 Awards marked the first ‘Gudinski’ Australian Music Champion Award, presented to Triple M’s Homegrown with Matty O by 2018 Hall of Fame inductee Lee Simon, who was a close friend of the late Michael Gudinksi, the founder of Mushroom Records in Australia.
Peking Duk’s I Want You featuring Darren Hayes was named the inaugural Most Played Australian Song, presented by Australian music legend Jenny Morris OAM.
 
The inaugural ‘Brenno’ Best New Talent On Air awards, name in honour of the 2002 Hall of Fame inductee, the late John Brennan, recognised Laura O’Callaghan, Triple M Adelaide SCA (Metro), Gina Jeffreys, Star 104.5, Central Coast, NOVA Entertainment (Provincial) and Isabella Roldan, Chill FM, Launceston, ARN (Country).  
 
Other winners include: 

• Best On Air Team (Provincial) – Jimmy & Nath (Hit100.9 Hobart, Tas, SCA) 
• Best On Air Team (Country) – Mixx Brekky with Jimmy & Lippi, (Colac, Vic, ACE Radio Broadcasters) 
• Station of the Year (Metro) – KIIS 1065 (Sydney, ARN)
• Station of the Year (non-Metro) Mix 106.3; Canberra, ACT, ARN/SCA
• Best Sports Presenter (Metro) – Gerard Whateley (SEN 1116am, Melbourne SEN) 
• Best Podcast by a Radio Show – Biana, Ben & Lakey, Lift the Lid Podcast, SeaFM, Qld SCA 
• Podcast of the Year – The Children in the Pictures Podcast, LiSTNR, SCA 
• Most Innovative DAB or Podcast Format – TikTok Trending, iHeart, ARN 
• Best News Presenter AM – Amie Meehan (2GB, Nine Radio) 
• The ‘Glenn Daniel’ Award, Best News Presenter FM – Patrina Jones (Gold 104.3, Melbourne ARN) 
• Brian White Award for Radio Journalism (Metro) – Clinton Maynard (2GB, Nine Radio).  
• Brian White Award for Radio Journalism (Non-Metro) – Katie Woolf, Mix 1049 NT, ARN  

The ACRAs were hosted by radio stars from across the major networks and entertainment was provided by Australian performers: proud Coodjinburra man Budjerah, the legendary Ian Moss founding member of Cold Chisel, singer-songwriter Mia Wray and the world music star and proud Gamilaraay man Mitch Tambo.  
 
The ACRAs recognise outstanding talent across eight key categories, including talk, news and sport, entertainment and talent, and podcasting. They are peer-judged, with entries received from 260 metropolitan and regional radio stations across Australia.  

2023 AUSTRALIAN COMMERCIAL RADIO & AUDIO AWARD WINNERS 

ENTERTAINMENT & TALENT

BEST ON AIR TEAM (METRO)
Jonesy & Amanda; Brendan Jones, Amanda Keller, WSFM, Sydney NSW, ARN
 
BEST ON AIR TEAM (PROVINCIAL)
Jimmy & Nath; Jimmy Smith, Nath Roye, Hit100.9, Hobart, SCA
 
BEST ON AIR TEAM (COUNTRY)
Mixx Brekky with Jimmy & Lippi; Matt Lipiarski, James Thwaites; Mixx FM, Colac, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters
 
INDIVIDUAL TALENT OF THE YEAR (METRO)
Kyle Sandilands; KIIS 1065, Sydney, NSW, ARN
 
INDIVIDUAL TALENT OF THE YEAR (PROVINCIAL)
Ellie Angel-Mobbs; Hit 104.7, Canberra, ACT, ARN/SCA
 
INDIVIDUAL TALENT OF THE YEAR (COUNTRY)
Michael Moffett; Triple M, Coffs Harbour, NSW, SCA

BEST PROGRAM/CONTENT DIRECTOR (METRO)
Tony Aldridge; KIIS 1065, Sydney, NSW, ARN
 
BEST PROGRAM/CONTENT DIRECTOR (PROVINCIAL) 
Rod Cuddihy; Mix 106.3/Hit 1047, Canberra, ACT, ARN/SCA
 
BEST PROGRAM/CONTENT DIRECTOR (COUNTRY) 
Matt Lipiarski; 3CS & Mixx FM, Colac, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters
 
BEST NETWORKED SHOW 
Kyle & Jackie O Hour of Power; Kyle Sandilands & Jackie Henderson; KIIS Network, ARN
 
BEST MUSIC HOST (METRO) 
Ellie Angel-Mobbs; B105, Brisbane, QLD, SCA
 
BEST MUSIC HOST (PROVINCIAL) 
Sean Brown; Hit 106.9, Newcastle, NSW, SCA
 
BEST MUSIC HOST (METRO, PROVINCIAL, COUNTRY) 
Gemma Sweeney; 93.5 EAGLE FM, Goulburn, NSW, Capital Radio Network
 
THE BRENNO / BEST NEW TALENT ON AIR – RADIO (METRO)
Laura O’Callaghan; Triple M, Adelaide SA SCA
 
THE BRENNO / BEST NEW TALENT ON AIR – RADIO (PROVINCIAL)
Gina Jeffreys; Star 104.5, Central Coast, NSW, NOVA Entertainment
 
THE BRENNO / BEST NEW TALENT ON AIR – RADIO (COUNTRY)
Isabella Roldan; Chilli FM, Launceston, TAS, ARN
 
BEST NEW TALENT OFF AIR – RADIO (METRO) 
Stephanie Clarkson; B105, Brisbane, QLD, SCA
 
BEST NEW TALENT OFF AIR – RADIO (PROVINCIAL) 
Chloe Burgess-Jones; 107.7 Triple M / Hit 101.3, Central Coast, NSW, SCA
 
BEST NEW TALENT OFF AIR – RADIO (COUNTRY) 
Hannah Rapley; Real FM, Mudgee, NSW, Super Radio Network
 
STATION OF THE YEAR (METRO)
KIIS 1065; Sydney, NSW, ARN
 
STATION OF THE YEAR (NON-METRO)
Mix 106.3; Canberra, ACT, ARN/SCA
 
BEST COMEDY SEGMENT
Ben, Liam & Belle, “Andy Lee & Belle’s Room”; Nova 100, Melbourne, VIC, NOVA Entertainment
 
 

SALES & MARKETING

SALES TEAM OF THE YEAR (METRO)
Nova 93.7 Commercial Team; Perth, WA, NOVA Entertainment
 
SALES TEAM OF THE YEAR (NON-METRO)
GOLD FM98.3 & AM1071 Sales Team; Central Victoria, VIC, ARN
 
BEST REGIONAL SALESPERSON (REGIONAL)
Ronnie Young; River 949, North Ipswich, QLD, ARN
 
BEST DIRECT SALESPERSON
Clare Doutch; Nova 93.7, Perth, WA, NOVA Entertainment
 
BEST AGENCY SALESPERSON 
Megan Beard; Nova 93.7, Perth, WA, NOVA Entertainment
 
MOST CREATIVE SALES SOLUTION
Fitbit - Breaking Ground; Nova Entertainment; Sydney, NSW, NOVA Entertainment
 
PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (METRO)
Annette George; 101.7 WSFM, Sydney, NSW, ARN
 
PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (NON-METRO)
Zak Davies; Mix 106.3 / Hit 104.7, Canberra, ACT, ARN/SCA
 
MOST CREATIVE STATION PROMOTION (METRO)
“Win A Billboard”; The Christian O’ Connell Show, ARN Marketing, Melbourne, VIC, ARN
 
MOST CREATIVE STATION PROMOTION (PROVINCIAL)
Jimmy & Nath’ s Wild Goose Chase; Jimmy Smith, Nath Roye; Hit100.9, Hobart, SCA
 
MOST CREATIVE STATION PROMOTION (COUNTRY)
Locals Sing Christmas; Jenny Burrow, Mal Rock, 2MG & Real FM, Mudgee, NSW, Super Radio Network
 
MARKETING TEAM OF THE YEAR 
SCA Marketing Team; SCA, Melbourne, VIC, SCA
 
BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN
The Christian O’Connell Show, “Win a Billboard”: ARN Marketing & GOLD Content, GOLD104.3, Melbourne, VIC, ARN
 
 

PODCASTS & DIGITAL

PODCAST HOST/S OF THE YEAR
It’s A Lot; Abbie Chatfield, LiSTNR, Sydney, NSW, SCA
 
BEST PODCAST BY A RADIO SHOW
Bianca, Ben & Lakey, Lift the Lid Podcast; 90.9 Sea FM, Gold Coast, QLD, SCA
 
PODCAST OF THE YEAR 
The Children in The Pictures Podcast; Akhim Dev, Emma Lancaster, Belinda Lopez, Jennifer Goggin, Simon Nasht, Romy Sher, Darcy Thomson, Bonnie Lavelle; LiSTNR, Sydney/Melbourne, SCA
 
MOST INNOVATIVE DAB OR PODCAST FORMAT
TikTok Trending on iHeartRadio; TikTok Trending Team, iHeart, National, NSW, ARN
 
BEST NEW TALENT – PODCAST
Matty Mills “Not So PG”; Nova Podcasts, Sydney, NSW, NOVA Entertainment
 
 

PRODUCTION

BEST RADIO SHOW PRODUCER (METRO)
James Willis; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio
 
BEST RADIO SHOW PRODUCER (NON-METRO)
Haylee Potts; Mix 106.3, Canberra, ACT, ARN/SCA
 
BEST PODCAST PRODUCER (SHOW) 
Matt White, Stories of Origin, 9Podcasts; Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio
 
BEST PODCAST PRODUCER (AUDIO) 
Darcy Thomson, The Children in The Pictures; LiSTNR, Melbourne, VIC, SCA
 
BEST IMAGING PRODUCER (METRO)
Natasha Thorniley; 92.9 Triple M, Perth, WA, SCA
 
BEST IMAGING PRODUCER (PROVINCIAL)
Matt Innes; 92.5 Triple M, Gold Coast, QLD, SCA  
 
BEST IMAGING PRODUCER (COUNTRY)
Sophie Jackson; 3WM & Mixx FM, Horsham, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters
 
DIGITAL TEAM OF THE YEAR 
Joshua Fox, Ella Kanna; KIIS 1065, Sydney, NSW, ARN  
 
BEST DIGITAL CONTENT CREATOR
Scott Couchman; KIIS97.3, Brisbane, QLD, ARN
 
BEST INNOVATION IN ENGINEERING
Gino Canzano; SCA Engineering Team, Melbourne, VIC, SCA

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERICAL - SINGLE (METRO)
David Getting Decked; Joshua Robins, Tim Whittington, Mix 94.5, Perth, WA, SCA
 
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE (PROVINCIAL)
North East Bin Hire; Mark Stevens, Cassie Aldridge; 2AY, Albury, NSW, ACE Radio Broadcasters 
 
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE (COUNTRY)
Home Harmony; Tamara Heinjus, Nat Marshall; 783 Triple M, Albany, WA, SCA
 
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN (METRO)
Vinnies; Darren Russell & Eddie Bye, NOVA Entertainment CREATE, NOVA Entertainment
 
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN (PROVINCIAL)
Be Safe | Be Alive; Chris Tankey, Cath Bell & Adam Jansen; Mix 106.3 / Hit 104.7, Canberra, ACT, ARN/SCA
 
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN (COUNTRY)
Mowers and More; Cameron Horn; SCA Coffs Harbour, NSW, SCA
 
 

TALK, NEWS & SPORT

BRIAN WHITE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM (METRO)
Clinton Maynard; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio
 
BRIAN WHITE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM (NON-METRO)
Katie Woolf; Mix 1049, Darwin, NT, ARN
 
THE GLENN DANIEL AWARD - BEST NEWS PRESENTER FM
Patrina Jones; GOLD104.3, Melbourne, VIC, ARN
 
BEST NEWS PRESENTER AM
Amie Meehan; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio
 
BEST NEWS EVENT COVERAGE
Victorian Floods; Neil Mitchell; 3AW Melbourne, VIC, Nine Radio
 
BEST LOCAL NEWS TEAM 
David Dollin, Hamish Finlay, Isabel Everett, Dan Flegg, Madeline Larsen; Triple M, Newcastle, NSW, SCA
 
BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PRESENTER
Ben Fordham; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio
 
BEST SPORTS PRESENTER (METRO
Gerard Whateley; SEN 1116am, Melbourne, VIC, Sports Entertainment Network
 
BEST SPORTS PRESENTER (NON-METRO)
Gus MacLeod; 2AY, Albury, NSW, ACE Radio Broadcasters

BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE (METRO AND NON-METRO)
2022 State of Origin Decider; The Continuous Call Team; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio
 
BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE (NON-METRO)
2022 AFL Grand Final; K rock Football Commentary Team, K rock 95.5, Geelong, VIC, Grant Broadcasters
 
BEST DOCUMENTARY – RADIO
Bali Bombing 20 Years On; Chris Davis/Ben Ryan; KIIS Network, Sydney, NSW, ARN
 
BEST COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN (METRO)
Mel Dzelde Rescue: The Spirit of Christmas; The Ali Clarke Breakfast Show; Mix-102.3, Adelaide, SA, ARN
 
BEST COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN (PROVINCIAL)
Pack the Bus; Mix 106.3 Product Team, Canberra, ACT, ARN/SCA
 
BEST COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN (COUNTRY)
Thank A First Responder Day; Dana Hamilton; 98.1 Power FM, Muswellbrook, Hunter Valley, NSW, ARN
 
BEST TALK PRESENTER (METRO)
Neil Mitchell; 3AW, Melbourne, Nine Radio
 
BEST TALK PRESENTER (NON-METRO)
Katie Woolf; Mix 104.9, Darwin, NT, ARN
 

MUSIC

BEST MUSIC FEATURE
Behind The Hits – Remembering Taylor Hawkins; Triple M LiSTNR Music Team, Sydney, NSW, SCA
 
THE GUDINSKI – AUSTRALIAN MUSIC CHAMPION
Triple M’s Homegrown with Matty O; Matthew O’ Gorman, Julia Di Gregorio, Chris Holland, Kalun Townsend, Triple M Network, Melbourne, VIC, SCA
 
MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Jake Powell; CADA, Katoomba / Western Sydney, NSW, ARN
 
MOST PLAYED NEW AUSTRALIAN SONG ON COMMERCIAL RADIO
Peking Duck – I Want You (feat. Darren Hayes), Sony Music Australia
 
MOST PLAYED NEW SONG ON COMMERCIAL RADIO
Miley Cyrus – Flowers, Sony Music
  

SPECIAL

HALL OF FAME
Laurel Edwards, 4BC Nine Radio
Steve “Pricey” Price, Triple M Townsville, SCA
 
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AWARD
People Experience; Nova Entertainment, National, NSW, NOVA Entertainment