Over the last year we have heard fantastic reports about the growth of the community broadcasting sector. The growing listener-ship, renewed government support and an increase in new licenses, are all fabulous results for the sector, which we are all very proud of. There is however another reason to be proud of the sector, one that I would like to bring to your attention: Women!

Increasing numbers of women are getting involved in the Community Broadcasting sector (39% paid staff and 45% Volunteers) and they are high achievers at their stations. From station manager to volunteer, they are all hardworking, determined women, many of whom will also, either run a family or have another job. International Women’s Day is all about recognizing these women and the support and service they provide.

Three women in particular have this year become great ambassadors for the women in Community Broadcasting. Badra Karunarathna: 1CMS, Sharon Menz: KIX Radio and Denise Guest: 5PBA, who all received special awards this year in recognition of their work in the Community, through Community Broadcasting and other projects.

On Australia day this year Multi Cultural Broadcaster Badra Karunarathna from 1CMS received the Order Of Australia Honour for her work with Sri Lankan Organizations, Community radio and her support for women and social welfare.

Badra began producing and presenting her Sinhalese program on 1CMS eleven years ago and said things were very different back then “when I first began broadcasting it was the early nineties and there were no internet facilities or Sri Lankan newspapers” Sri Lankans had to rely on meeting other people from their country to keep up to date on the news and current affairs. Badra recognized that there was a need for a Sri Lankan program and despite a lack of technical skills stepped into the role of reading news, and gradually built up her own program from there.

Badra comments that although she considers women are better communicators than men, she believes the main drawback for women pursuing an interest in Community Broadcasting is not the obvious lack of technical skills but the commitment of time, “training is certainly the hardest part (for women in broadcast) but this is because it can take a lot of time …if a woman has a young family it is hard for them.”

When Badra first started at CMS she had two children and a sick father to look after, however this did not deter her and now that all her children are at university, Badra also finds time to work as a member of the Domestic Violence Prevention Council.

Badra will be presented with her award in an investiture ceremony on 8th April at Government House.

Another Australia day award was presented during the celebrations on Kangaroo Island (off the South Coast of Australia). Sharon Menz, a volunteer at radio KIX on Kangaroo Island received the award: Kangaroo Island Citizen Of The Year. Mayor Michael Pengilly presented a very surprised Sharon with her award. “I’m very grateful, but I’m not sure if I’m expected to help old ladies cross the street or not, now that I’m officially a citizen!” Sharon says.

Sharon dedicated her award to John Williams a former founder of the station “ John was one of the original committee members 20 or so years ago, interested in setting up a station. When that first group fell over John banged on many doors, including mine, until we managed to get a new group together, and the station up and running. Although he passed away a few years ago, this award I think recognizes a lot of his achievement”.

The diverse community of Kangaroo Island holds a variety of Community Groups, many of which are supported by radio KIX through fundraising activities, and publicity as well as assisting in the creation of new groups, “We’ve just this week started a vocational education and training broadcast media course with students from the local school.”

Another strong focus for the station is the islands football league. During the season Sharon’s own Saturday night program Rock’n’Roll Rendezvous, makes sure to cross to the post match dressing room for a summary of the game and a little bit of rowdy celebration from the winning team “We’ve even discovered a few enthusiastic amateur match callers who we’ll try to get on air eventually.”

Denise Guest, from 5PBA Salisbury in Adelaide is proud to be one of nine people to receive the Legend of Salisbury award this year.

The small suburb just north of Adelaide launched their Living City Campaign on March 3rd 2005, as part of the campaign nine people were awarded with the Legend of Salisbury honour. Denise expressed her surprise and delight to be sharing the stage with among others, a Nunga Elder, a Gold Medallist Para Olympian and a Community Educator. Ron Kelvin from Channel nine, introduced the winners, while the mayor presented them with their awards.

Denise has been involved with radio since 1966 when she worked for the Defence Forces in Far East Asia broadcasting to troops and families. On her return to Australia she was unsure as to whether she would return to broadcasting, until sometime in 1980 when the call of radio Adelaide enticed her back into the fold. Her interest in the small country station 5PBA grew through the close links they have with radio Adelaide, links that are still maintained today.

Over the last year Denise has been working very hard on an exciting project with 5PBA which has not yet been finalised, but its enough to say, that with help from local council and developers the news later this year will certainly be the beginning of something huge for this small station in Salisbury.