Media Centre

More than 200 regional and local radio winners from across Australia have been announced tonight at the 34^th annual Australian Commercial Radio & Audio (ACRA) Awards, held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney.
 
Popular radio duo Jimmy Smith and Nath Roye (100.9 Hobart, SCA) have been named the Best On Air Team in the provincial category. The duo, who were the Number One breakfast show in Hobart, moved to the national Hit Network in August 2022.
 
The winners of the national awards were revealed at a gala event attended by 1,000 radio personalities and executives from across the country. The ACRA Awards celebrate excellence in commercial radio broadcasting and audio across entertainment, news, talk. podcasting and sport. This year the awards also celebrated a century of radio in Australia.
 
Ford Ennals, Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Radio & Audio, organisers of the Awards, has congratulated all finalists and winners 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.  
 
“Tonight’s ACRA Awards saw 1,000 people celebrating 100 years of radio in Australia, while also showcasing Australian performers. The commercial radio industry is growing and evolving in a very exciting way – with new audio forms and new digital platforms.”
 
Two legends of Queensland radio were inducted into the Hall of Fame at tonight’s ceremony: Laurel Edwards (4BC, Brisbane, 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.
 
It was a huge night for Katie Woolf from Darwin (Mix 104.9, ARN), who received the Best Talk Presenter (non-Metro) Award and the Brian White Award for Excellence in Journalism (non-Metro). It was the second time in a row that Woolf has won both ACRA awards, against finalists from across Australia.
 
The night was hosted by some of Australia’s most popular radio stars from across the networks and featured live performances from Australian artists. First nations world music star and proud Gamilaraay man Mitch Tambo opened the Awards, with performances by 21-year-old proud Coodjinburra man Budjerah and singer-songwriter Mia Wray. The legendary Ian Moss from Cold Chisel closed the Awards.
 
Winners on the night included:
 

• Best On-Air Team (Metro) – Jonesy & Amanda (Brendan Jones, Amanda Keller, WSFM, Sydney, ARN)
• Best On Air Team (Provincial) – Jimmy & Nath (Jimmy Smith, Nath Roye, HIT 100.9 Hobart, Tas, SCA)
• Best on Air Team (Country) – Mixx Brekky with Jimmy & Lippy (Matt Lipiarski, James Thwaites, Mixx FM, 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 Networked Show – Kyle & Jackie O Hour of Power (Kyle Sandilands, Jackie Henderson, KIIS Network, ARN)
• Best Talk Presenter (Metro) – Neil Mitchell (3AW, Melbourne, Nine Radio)
• Best Talk Presenter (non-Metro) – Katie Woolf (Mix 104.9, Darwin, ARN)
• Best Current Affairs Presenter – Ben Fordham (2GB, Sydney, Nine Radio)
• Individual Talent of the Year (Metro) - Kyle Sandilands (KIIS Network ARN)
• Best New Talent On Air ‘The Brenno’ (Provincial) – Gina Jeffreys (Star 104.5, Central Coast, NSW, NOVA Entertainment)
• Best New Talent On Air ‘The Brenno’ (Country) - Isabella Roldan (Chilli FM, Launceston, Tas, ARN) 

 
“The 34^th annual ACRA Awards highlighted Australia’s vibrant radio and audio industry, celebrating outstanding talent in 80 awards across eight categories, including talk, news and sport, entertainment and talent and podcasting,” Mr Ennals said.
 
This year there were 372 finalists with entries received from 260 metropolitan and regional radio stations.
Commercial radio is thriving across Australia and stations outside the metropolitan areas were well represented at the ACRA Awards with more than 200 finalists from country and provincial stations.”
 023 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