Each year at the CBAA conference, awards are presented ackowledging the work of community broadcaster in a number of areas.

see the 2003 award winners

Award entry forms and entry guidelines are available below and this year's categories are:

1. Radio - Excellence in Spoken Word Programming.
The criteria for this award is based largely on Code 2 of the Codes of Practice which is available on this site. Separate awards for stations under $50,000/ between $50,000 and $150,000/Stations over $150,000.

2. Radio - Best innovative new program/segment idea
Tell us about your innovative programming idea. What makes community broadcasting special is its ability to generate new exciting ideas for programming. Tell us why its innovative for your station (eg. creativity, originality, response and involvement from listeners, outcomes of the program...)

3. Television Station of the Year
For service and innovation by a community television station in meeting the needs of the local community.

4. Radio Station of the Year
For service and innovation by a community radio station in meeting the needs of the local community.

5. Radio - Can’t Get Out Of The Car Award
In addition to supplying the audio piece, give us a short 50 word scene-setter explaining why you couldn’t get out of the car as you were listening to this piece.

6. Radio - Contribution to Local Music
This award recogises a significant contribution by a station or program in supporting local music, as highlighted in Code No 3 in the Codes of Practice. This code reinforces the community broadcasting sector’s reputation as a medium committed to developing and recognising Australian composers and/or performers by providing opportunities to have their material broadcast on a regular basis.

7. Radio - Excellence in Music Programming
This award recognises excellence in music programming.Judging criteria is based on Codes 2 & 3, with particular consideration given to the broadcaster's contribution to the development of informed musical appreciation.

8. Contribution to Indigenous Broadcasting (Radio & TV)
We’re looking for the station who has demonstrated, in the last 12 months, a committment to Indigenous broadcasting in keeping with the Code 2.7-9 of the Code of Practice.

9. Contribution to Ethnic Broadcasting (Radio & TV)
We’re looking for the station who has demonstrated, in the last 12 months, a committment to Ethnic broadcasting. This may be through training, outreach or other methods.

10. Radio - Innovative place/subject for an Outside Broadcast
Have you done it on the beach with the waves breaking over you? Tell us about where your best OB was done.

11. Television Producer of the Year
For service and innovation in production.

12. Radio - Best/innovative Idea in Fundraising
Sometimes raising $1000 takes more brainpower than raising $100,000 Tell us about your station’s innovative idea for raising money. The Judges aren’t just interested in how much you raised but how you did it.

13. Radio - Best/innovative Announcement, Sponsorship or Promotion (maximum 90 secs only)
The Judges will be looking for originality, humour, voice quality, clicks, whirrs, buzzes, anything...which get’s your message across!

14. Television Program of the Year
For service and innovation in program making.

15. Radio - Innovative Station/Program Promotion Idea
Getting noticed is a challenge which faces all community broadcasters but we can’t afford commercial television spots. Tell us how you got your station known about on for under $100.

16. Radio - Excellence in Sports Programming
Sport will be recognized in its own right at this years awards, and you dont even have to have a sports show to enter. The subject of sport may have been featured on any one of your talk programs. Please send us your best interview, segment, or contribution to Sports programming along with a brief written documentation to support the entry.

17. New Voices (Radio & TV)
Community broadcasting is about involving people, but just having ‘an open door’ isn’t always enough. Let the Judges know how your station got new broadcasters in your community involved in your station. Were they new languages groups, different cultural groups, people new to community broadcasting, youth broadcasters or older broadcasters? How did you do it ? Special training, mentors, financial support, change of airtime, hand holding, new equipment…

18. Radio - Value For Money
Tell us what you’d do with $1000 to improve your broadcasting. In your pitch, describe the difference it would make to your station and how it would help service your community.

19. Tony Staley Award
Tony Staley was instrumental in the development of the sector. This award recognises activities that promote values of community radio broadcasting as described in Code 1 of the Code of Practice. Note: this year Judges shall be looking particularly at the contribution or achievement in a small station setting.

20. Michael Law Award (Radio & TV)
Michael Law, known as one of the “founders” of community radio. This Award acknowledges individual contributions of outstanding service to the sector.

If you have any queries, call Joanna McCarthy: 02 9318 9600.

Guidelines and entry forms   Download file