Community Broadcasting Awards

The CBAA Community Broadcasting Awards celebrate excellence in community broadcasting 

The awards are the highest recognition of community broadcasting excellence.

With over 30 diverse categories to win in, the awards provide a chance for the sector to come together and celebrate all the hard work and success of stations and the exceptional individuals who keep them on the air.

Take a look at our past winners listed below. 

Special Category Awards

The Community Broadcasting Honour Roll is a new award category for 2024. It is a tribute to stalwarts of community broadcasting. It is bestowed upon individuals who have dedicated over fifteen years of their lives to a single community radio station, demonstrating an impactful commitment to a single community.

Michael Law was the inaugural President of the Public Broadcasting Association of Australia (now known as the CBAA) in 1974. He is recognised as one of the key founders of community broadcasting in Australia, presiding over the emergence of our diverse and innovative media sector. The Michael Law Award recognises an individual who has made a sustained and outstanding contribution to the community broadcasting sector (not bound by the current awards period).

  • 2024: Phillip Randall
  • 2023: Dr Juliet Fox
  • 2022: Jim Remedio and Philip Shine
  • 2020: Dr Christine Spurgeon
  • 2019: David Turrell
  • 2018: John Maizels
  • 2017: Ian Stanistreet
  • 2016: Max Benyon
  • 2015: Adrian Basso
  • 2014: Maureen O’Keeffe and Nicky Page
  • 2013: Tiga Bayles
  • 2012: John Macinnes
  • 2011: John Martin
  • 2010: Deb Welch
  • 2009: Stephen Jolley
  • 2008: Barry Melville and Barbara Hurley
  • 2007: Geoff Williams
  • 2006: Jim Beatson
  • 2005: David Sice
  • 2004: David Melzer
  • 2003: Nicola Joseph
  • 2002: Bruce Francis
  • 2001: Mike Thompson
  • 2000: Steve Ford, Freda Glynn, Phillip Batty & John Macumba
  • 1999: Kath Letch
  • 1998: Brian Cabena
  • 1997: Tony Manicaros
  • 1996: Kaye Blackman
  • 1995: Iain Sutherland & Ada Hulshoff
  • 1994: Christian Burnat

Tony Staley was instrumental in the development of the community broadcasting sector. The winner of the Tony Staley Award is a community broadcasting organisation or initiative that actively promotes the values of community broadcasting in the areas of democracy, diversity, access and independence. This award attracts a cash prize of $2,500 supported by the Community Broadcasting Foundation.

Awards for Individuals

This award recognises an outstanding music presenter (or team) who has informed musical appreciation and provided an avenue for music that might otherwise go unheard or lacks a significant profile in the wider media. This category has been phased out as of 2024.

Outstanding Fundraising & Sponsorship is a new category for 2024. This award recognises an outstanding fundraising or sponsorship manager or team.

  • 2024: 96five’s Building Hope Appeal, 96five

    Outstanding Presenter is a new category for 2024. This award recognises an outstanding presenter or presenting team.

    • 2024: Jeff Bullen, RTRFM

      This award recognises an outstanding news & current affairs presenter or team. This award was previously known as Excellence in Journalism. 

      Excellence in Journalism 

      • 2024: Peter Greco,Vision Australia Radio
      • 2023: 2023 Menindee Mass Fish Kill: How it happened, 2DRY FM
      • 2022: Media outlet wrongly accuses indigenous man of abducting Cleo Smith, Ngaarda Media
      • 2021: The Story of CHIRP - Community Health in Castlemaine, MainFM
      • 2020: Living In Paradise, Bay FM 99.9
      • 2019: Police, Perverts & Public Exposure: Uncovering Byron's Nude Beach, Bay FM 99.9
      • 2018: Mia Armitage, Bay FM 99.9

      Outstanding Production Contribution is a new category as of 2024. This award recognises an outstanding production manager or production team.

        The Station Leadership award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated sustained exceptional leadership in their station. The recipient has displayed community radio virtues through a specific aspect of broadcasting – cultural, technical, or organisational – on air and/or behind the scenes. This award category was previously called the Station Leadership Award.

        Outstanding Technical Contribution is a new category for 2024. This award recognises an individual or team who has contributed to the station’s technical health in an outstanding way. This award was previously split into two categories: Excellence in Technical Services and Excellence in Technical Innovation.

        Excellence in Technical Services

         Excellence in Technical Innovation

        This award recognises an engineer or technologist (or team) that has taken an innovative approach to the technology of one or more community radio stations.

        • 2023: Remote Monitoring Setup in RIMOs (Remote Indigenous Media Organisations), 8PAW
        • 2022: Remote Monitoring and Management of Networked Broadcast Infrastructure, 8CCC
        • 2021: JOY’s New Home, Joy Media
        • 2020: First Australians Media Enterprises, 3KND
        • 2019: Creative Automation Solution by Alastair Ling, Edge Radio
        • 2018: Gerard Pyne, QRAM

        This award recognises a volunteer who has demonstrated sustained leadership, effectiveness and commitment to their station and community broadcasting in an outstanding way. The award recognises contributions across any area of involvement in community broadcasting.

        This award recognises a young person who has contributed to their station or the sector in an outstanding way. Entries are open to any person aged under 26 years who has shown strong commitment to the values of community broadcasting in a number of areas.

        Awards for Programming

        This award recognises an outstanding music program.

        This award recognises an outstanding new community radio program.

        This award acknowledges an excellent program or programming initiative that has excelled in providing news and current affairs stories to its community interest. This category was previously called Excellence in News and Current Affairs Programming.

        • 2024: Studio 1, Vision Australia Radio
        • 2023: Wavelength: Data Breaches, Voices of Parliament & the Lord Mayor, Fresh 92.7
        • 2022: Floods and landslides devastate the Northern Rivers, Bay Fm 99.9
        • 2021: Covid Report, Wangki Radio
        • 2020: Studio 1, Vision Australia Radio
        • 2019: The Edge, Wangki Radio
        • 2018: Another World, Eastside 89.7FM
        • 2017: Saturday Brisbane Line, 4ZZZ (previously Excellence in Spoken Word, News and Current Affairs Programming)
        • 2016: Anangu Lands Paper Tracker Radio Show, Radio Adelaide (previously Excellence in Spoken Word, News and Current Affairs Programming)
        • 2015: Wavelength, Fresh 92.7 (previously Excellence in Spoken Word, News and Current Affairs Programming) 
        • 2014: Memories of Sarajevo – Radio Zid: Rock Under Siege - Bay FM 99.9 (previously Excellence in Spoken Word, News and Current Affairs Programming) 
        • 2013: The state of ear health in my community - Noongar Radio (previously Excellence in Spoken Word, News and Current Affairs Programming) 
        • 2012: All The Best - FBi (previously Excellence in Spoken Word, News and Current Affairs Programming) 

        This award recognises an outstanding talk or spoken word program.

        This award acknowledges a program or initiative that in the last 12 months has made a significant contribution to supporting local Australian music and helping to develop Australian musicians. This category has been phased out. This category has been phased out as of 2018.

        This award acknowledges a radio program that has made a significant contribution to supporting local Australian music and helping to develop Australian musicians. This category has been phased out as of 2024.

        This award acknowledges a radio program that has made a significant contribution to supporting local Australian music and helping to develop Australian musicians. This category has been phased out as of 2024.

        This award recognises an innovative programming or content initiative that gives platform to music, ideas, or concepts not normally addressed by traditional media outlets and connects deeply with its audience. This category has been phased out as of 2024.

        This award recognises an outstanding music presenter (or team) who has informed musical appreciation and provided an avenue for music that might otherwise go unheard or lacks a significant profile in the wider media. This category has been phased out as of 2024.

        The National Features and Documentary Series is an annual showcase of new work by Australian community radio producers, highlighting their communities and the work community radio does to support them.

        • 2021: Melaine Robinson, Vision Australia Radio - Rideability
        • 2020: Melanie Bakewell, 8CCC - Never gonna let the language go away
        • 2019: Alice Ansara, 2EAR - The CWA And The F-Word
        • 2018: Katharina Loesche, 4EB - The Runners' Guide
        • 2017: Kaarina Lindell, Triple R - How Digital Changed Music
        • 2016: Michael Schubert, Bay FM - In Search Of Silence

        In memory of passionate sports broadcaster Troy Garner, this award acknowledges a community radio station’s achievement in the creation of sports programming that focuses on community-based sporting activities that receive limited coverage in the wider media.

        Awards for Stations

        • 2014: Star Observer Digital - 2SER
        • 2013: Radio with Pictures - FBi Radio
        • 2012: Radio on Demand - 3RRR

        This award recognises the most outstanding submitted piece of online content published by a station. This piece of station-created content can be on or via platforms including social media, digital SPIs (Service & Program Information – DAB+), websites, podcasts, blogs, digital video or general digital media content. This category has been phased out as of 2024.

        • 2023: The View From Here – Season 6, RTRFM
        • 2022: How Much Do You Know? Season 2, EastSide Radio
        • 2021: Wirrilimurra Lore, Ngaarda Media
        • 2020: Yuendumu Elder Shares Her Testimony About The Death of a Walpiri Man, Ngaarda Media
        • 2019: The AFL Multicultural Football Show, 3ZZZ
        • 2018: Slightly Odway, RTRFM 92.1

        This award recognises a small station that has run an effective fundraising campaign to support the station’s own sustainability (i.e. not raising funds for another organisation). Entry in this category is restricted to stations with annual revenue of less than $100,000. This category has been phased out as of 2024.

        This award acknowledges an initiative that has made a significant contribution to supporting local Australian music and helping to develop Australian musicians. This category has been phased out as of 2024.

        Excellence in Australian Music is a new category as of 2024. This award recognises a station’s contribution to supporting local Australian music and the development of Australian musicians.

        • 2024: 2SER Australian Music Programming & Eventsect, 2SER

          This award recognises a station that has achieved meaningful engagement with its community interest in its activities, which is fundamental to the role of community radio.

          This award recognises a station that, in the last 12 months, has actively sought meaningful engagement with its community of interest in its activities, which is fundamental to the role of community radio. This category was phased out as of 2018.

          This award recognises an outstanding digital media initiative implemented in a community radio station. Digital media is defined as station-created content using social media, digital broadcasting, website development, audio streaming, podcasting, blogging, digital video or general digital media content. This category has been phased out as of 2024.

          • 2023: Pride Across the Ages Podcast presented by Queer and Now, MainFM
          • 2022: Supporting the mental health of ethnic communities during COVID-19, 2MFM
          • 2020: SYN Podcast Incubator, SYN Media
          • 2019: Fitzroy Crossing, Wangki Radio
          • 2018: The View from Here - Fremantle Series, RTRFM 92.1
          • 2017: Just Words, 2SER
          • 2016: fbiradio.com. FBi Radio
          • 2015: Represent - Federal Budget Night, SYN Media

          Excellence in Disability Content & Engagement is a new category as of 2024. This award recognises a station that has excelled in providing a platform for diverse voices from the disability community and demonstrated its commitment to disability engagement and inclusion.

          • 2024: Disability Day, 3CR

            This award recognises a station that has run an effective fundraising campaign to support the station's own sustainability (i.e. not raising funds for another organisation). This category was previously called Best Station Fundraising Campaign.

            • 2024: PositiveMedia Donor Engagement & Business Development Teams, 89.9 TheLight
            • 2023: Thank You, Eastside Radio 89.7FM
            • 2022: Make It Home, PBS 106.7FM
            • 2021: Collab Series Vol 1, RTRFM 92.1
            • 2020: Community Relations, Hope 103.2
            • 2019: You Make Hope Possible, Hope 103.2
            • 2018: Your Voice for Hope Appeal - June 2017, Light FM 89.9
            • 2017: Triple R 40th Birthday, Triple R (Previously Best Station Promotion, Sponsorship or Fundraising Campaign)
            • 2016: LightPartner Day – Your News, 89.9, Light FM (Previously Best Station Promotion, Sponsorship or Fundraising Campaign)
            • 2015: Watts Up! Fundraising Campaign, Bay FM 99.9 (Previously Best Station Promotion, Sponsorship or Fundraising Campaign)
            • 2014: TransMISSION - Fresh 92.7 (Previously Best Station Promotion, Sponsorship or Fundraising Campaign)
            • 2013: RTRFM 2013 Donor Drive - RTRFM 92.1 (Previously Best Station Promotion, Sponsorship or Fundraising Campaign)
            • 2012: Transmission Ignition - 4ZZZ (Previously Best Station Promotion, Sponsorship or Fundraising Campaign)

            Excellence in Indigenous Content & Engagement is a new category for 2024. This award recognises a station that has excelled in providing a platform for Indigenous voices and demonstrated its commitment to Indigenous engagement and inclusion. This category was previously split into two categories: Excellence in Indigenous Engagement and Excellence in Indigenous Broadcasting.

              Excellence in Indigenous Engagement

              This award recognises a station that has demonstrated its commitment to Indigenous engagement through the participation of Indigenous people in key production, editorial, broadcast and management roles.

              Excellence in Indigenous Broadcasting

              This award recognises a program or initiative that has excelled in providing a platform for Indigenous voices.

              Excellence in Multicultural Content & Engagement is a new category for 2024. This award recognises a program, initiative, or station that has excelled in providing a platform for culturally and linguistically diverse voices and demonstrated its commitment to ethnic and multicultural engagement. This category was previously split into two categories: Excellence in Ethnic and Multicultural Engagement and Excellence in Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasting.

                Excellence in Ethnic and Multicultural Engagement

                This award recognises a station that has demonstrated its commitment to ethnic and multicultural engagement through the participation of culturally and linguistically diverse people in key production, editorial, broadcast and management roles.

                Excellence in Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasting

                This award recognises a program or initiative that has excelled in providing a platform for culturally and linguistically diverse voices.

                This award recognises a station that has produced and broadcast outstanding short promotions (less than 60 seconds), station IDs, sponsorship announcements or community service announcements. This category was previously called Best Station Production.

                Excellence in Special Events & Outside Broadcasting is a new category for 2024. This award recognises a station that has effectively served a community need or offered programming relevant to their community interest through a special event broadcast or an outside broadcast series. This award was previously split into two categories: Excellence in Outside Broadcasting and Best Special Event Broadcast.

                Excellence in Outside Broadcasting

                This award recognises a station that has served a community need or provided programming relevant to their community interest through an outside broadcast or series of broadcasts.

                • 2024: Tamworth Country Music Program 2024, Ngaarda Media & 3KND Kool N Deadly
                • 2023: ChillOut 2023, JOY Media
                • 2022: 2021 VIC Disability & Sports Recreation Festival, Vision Australia Radio
                • 2021: Boola Bardip, RTRFM
                • 2020: Rowan's Walk, Ngaarda Media
                • 2019: Ballina Meet the Candidates 2019, Bay FM 99.9, Byron Bay
                • 2018: Carols in The Park, Hills Radio 88.9FM
                • 2017: Twang 20th Birthday, Triple R (previously Most Innovative Outside Broadcast or Special Event Broadcast)
                • 2016: 3CR Exhibition Broadcasts, 3CR (previously Most Innovative Outside Broadcast or Special Event Broadcast)
                • 2015: Rebuild Nepal: Live Concert, Bay FM 99.9 (previously Most Innovative Outside Broadcast or Special Event Broadcast)
                • 2014: World AIDS Day Worldwide, JOY 94.9 (previously Most Innovative Outside Broadcast or Special Event Broadcast)
                • 2013: 3MBS Beethoven Marathon, 3MBS (previously Most Innovative Outside Broadcast or Special Event Broadcast)
                • 2012: The Joy and 3AW Better Together Broadcast, JOY 94.9 (previously Most Innovative Outside Broadcast or Special Event Broadcast)

                Best Special Event Broadcast

                This award recognises a station that has served a community need or provided programming relevant to their community interest through a special event broadcast.

                • 2023: Embracing Cultural Diversity: The Grand African Mawlid Celebration Broadcast on 2MFM, 2MFM
                • 2022: Women of the World Festival - Regional Broadcasts, 4EB
                • 2021: WA Mixtape, RTRFM
                • 2020: Mardi Gras 2020, JOY 94.9
                • 2019: Mardi Gras Special 2019, JOY 94.9
                • 2018: JB Tribute, Noongar Radio

                This award recognises a training initiative that has had significant impact at a station. This can include accredited and non-accredited training. This category has been phased out as of 2024.

                This award celebrates the vital role that small stations play in the community broadcasting sector. They face challenges with fewer facilities and people, and levels of initiative and sheer determination tend to be sky-high. Entry in this category is restricted to stations with annual revenue of less than $100,000. This category has been phased out as of 2024.

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