| Program or issue | Station/licensee | Description | Outcome | Report published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licence condition matter | Magic 87.6 FM / Andrew Andrews | Narrowcasting | Breach of paragraph 4.3(a) of the Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Broadcasting Licence) Determination 2015.(ref. BI-701) | 4 September 2025 |
The finalists for the 2025 Community Broadcasting Awards have been announced! This year’s entries were as exciting as ever, with over 260 spanning more than 20 categories.
We’d like to thank everyone who entered, whether or not they’re a finalist, as well as our dedicated team of judges from around the sector who put their time and energy into helping to celebrate the hard work of stations, staff and volunteers countrywide. We’d also like to thank our sponsors who help to support the awards and shine a spotlight on the best of Australian community broadcasters.,
The winners will be announced at the 2025 CBAA Conference awards gala in Hobart on Saturday 25 October. Be sure to register for both the conference and the gala at the CBAA conference website.
Note – the following three awards are announced on the night:
| Category | Entry | Station Name | Sponsored by |
| Best Program Music | Fresh Off The Block | Fresh 92.7 | APRA AMCOS |
| OFF the LABEL | PBA-FM | ||
| Middle of Nowhere | RTR | ||
| Music of Our Time | 4MBS | ||
| Best Program New | Big Bi+ Questions | Joy Media | AFTRS |
| Breaking The Silence | Noongar Radio | ||
| OFF the LABEL | PBA-FM | ||
| In Plain Sight | Vision Australia Radio | ||
| WOW: Wise Older Women | BAYFM 99.9 | ||
| Best Program News & Current Affairs | Inside Voice | Vision Australia Radio | AVC |
| 90.1 HAPPY FM – ‘Surviving Cyclone Tracy’ – Steve Adams | 90.1 HAPPY FM | ||
| Blackchat | Koori Radio | ||
| Blaksiders | 2SER | ||
| 3CR Breakfast | 3CR | ||
| National Radio News: Australia’s Creative Landscapes | 2MCE | ||
| Best Program Talks | Pulse of Palestine | Koori Radio | |
| Talk On Your Fork | SYN Media | ||
| That’s What I Call Science | Edge Radio | ||
| Mindful Minutes | Vision Australia Radio | ||
| Excellence in Australian Music | RTR2 | RTR | APRA AMCOS |
| Phoenix FM | Phoenix FM | ||
| BayFM 99.9 | BAYFM 99.9 | ||
| In The Scene on 107.3 HFM | Heritage FM | ||
| The Aussie Hour With Jace | Switch Brisbane | ||
| Excellence in Community Engagement | RTRFM’s Reconciliation Action Plan | RTR | CTV |
| 2MFM – Muslim Community Radio | Muslim Community Radio | ||
| Noosa FM 101.3 | Noosa FM 101.3 | ||
| Northern Voices | PBA-FM | ||
| 2NURFM | 2NURFM 103.7 | ||
| Bendigo Pride Festival 2025 | Joy Media | ||
| 89.9 TheLight – Community Transformation | 89.9 TheLight | ||
| Excellence in Disability Content & Engagement | Radio Skid Row, Anything Goes Show, Where Am I? Podcast | Radio Skid Row | |
| Literacy Legends Podcast by Print Radio Tasmania | Print Radio Tasmania | ||
| Phoenix FM | Phoenix FM | ||
| Vision Australia Radio | Vision Australia Radio | ||
| Excellence in Fundraising & Sponsorship | Fresh 92.7 Sales Team | Fresh 92.7 | |
| Three D Radio | Three D Radio | ||
| HFM Radiothon (WA Day Long Weekend) | Heritage FM | ||
| Excellence in Indigenous Content & Engagement | TEABBA | TEABBA | |
| Feel Good Nunga Radio | Feel Good Nunga | ||
| 2NURFM 103.7 | 2NURFM 103.7 | ||
| Missing Men in the Pilbara and Kimberley | Ngaarda Media | ||
| Excellence in Multicultural Content & Engagement | Siempre Lunes | PBA-FM | |
| City Park Radio Multicultural Unit Team | City Park Radio | ||
| Byron BayFM 99.9 Multicultural Group | BAYFM 99.9 | ||
| Joyce Yang | CMS Radio FM 91.1 | ||
| Excellence in Production | RTRFM’s Loveline | RTR | |
| Cameron Horn | Coast FM 96.3 | ||
| JOY Media | JOY Media | ||
| Matiah Haros | Fresh 92.7 | ||
| Excellence in Special Events & Outside Broadcasting | Fierce Female Forces | JOY Media | PPCA |
| Koori Radio 93.7fm Live From Garma 2024 | Koori Radio | ||
| Vision Australia Radio’s 2025 Midsumma Carnival Day Broadcast | Vision Australia Radio | ||
| Tamworth Country Music Festival 2025 | today’scountry94one | ||
| Excellence in Station Resilience & Development | JOY Media | JOY Media | CMTO |
| Branching out to print media | Collie Community Radio | ||
| 8KIN FM CAAMA Radio | CAAMA Radio CENTRAL ZONE | ||
| Outstanding Fundraising & Sponsorship Contribution | Jack Lane Outstanding Fundraising | 5THE FM | |
| Jason Gipps | Vision Australia Radio | ||
| Fresh 92.7 Sales Team | Fresh 92.7 | ||
| Sue McLennan | MAINfm | ||
| Outstanding Presenter | Pam Boland | RTR | Amazon Alexa |
| Henry Sachwald | 3MBS | ||
| Nasser Mashni | 3CR | ||
| That’s What I Call Science | Edge Radio | ||
| Craig Brown | JOY Media | ||
| Outstanding Presenter News & Current Affairs | Muswellbrook Fights For Earthquake Disaster Relief | 2NURFM 103.7 | Deutsche Welle |
| Mia Armitage | BAYFM 99.9 | ||
| Sam Colley – Talking Vision | Vision Australia Radio | ||
| Vivien Langford – The Climate Action Show | 3CR | ||
| Outstanding Production Contribution | The Rise & Fall of Easterfest | 96five Family Radio | |
| The Chill, Rght Across The Nation | Highland FM 107.1 | ||
| Peter Thomas | Golden Days Radio | ||
| Matiah Haros | Fresh 92.7 | ||
| Water Watch – Megan Williams | 2DRY FM | ||
| Outstanding Station Leadership | Sibylle Reisch – President Noosa FM 101.3 | Noosa FM 101.3 | |
| Ange Kent | BAYFM 99.9 | ||
| Rachel Kirby | 3CR | ||
| Shane Peak | 2NURFM 103.7 | ||
| Outstanding Technical Contribution | Kyle Doevendans (TEABBA) | TEABBA | Broadcast Components |
| Peter Gibson | 3MBS Melbourne | ||
| Phoenix FM – Peter Williams | Phoenix FM | ||
| Nick La Rosa | 89.7 Eastside Radio | ||
| Outstanding Youth Contribution | Shakeel Sahib | Muslim Community Radio | Centre for Volunteering |
| Cassandra Johns – A Fresh Legacy | Fresh 92.7 | ||
| Mietta Hyland-Johns | JOY Media | ||
| Kalan ‘Kal’ Krzyzanowski | Vision Australia Radio | ||
| The Jane Brownrigg Award – Outstanding Volunteer Contribution | Gisa and Henry Weatherill | Noosa FM 101.3 | Centre for Volunteering |
| 3CR Outstanding Volunteer – Tilde Joy | 3CR | ||
| Tina Nabb aka the Volun-Tina | 3MDR | ||
| Jaque Trundle | today’scountry94one | ||
| Troy Garner Award – Best Program Sports | Phoenix FM – SportsVox | Phoenix FM | |
| Game On | JOY Media | ||
| Reading the Play – All Things Footy | Vision Australia Radio | ||
| The Sporting Record | 3CR |
| Program or issue | Station/licensee | Description | Outcome | Report published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licence condition matter | Magic 87.6 FM / Andrew Andrews | Narrowcasting | Breach of paragraph 4.3(a) of the Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Broadcasting Licence) Determination 2015.(ref. BI-701) | 4 September 2025 |
No one does finals like Triple M, and in 2025, the network will once again be the ultimate destination for footy fans. Across Triple M and LiSTNR, footy fans will hear every kick, goal and spine-tingling moment of the 2025 Toyota AFL Finals Series, with the biggest names in footy calling the action and delivering brand-new offerings to fans.
With more than 732,000 passionate footy fans tuning into AFL broadcasts in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth every week during the home-and-away season, Triple M Footy is Australia’s undisputed #1 AFL radio network*. With every AFL state represented in the finals this year, there’s never been a better time to tune into Triple M’s live and local coverage.
This year’s finals will feature a star-studded call team including James Brayshaw, Jason Dunstall, Brian Taylor, Kate McCarthy, Dale Thomas, Mark ‘Howie’ Howard, Xavier Ellis, Bernie Vince, Isaac Smith and Nat Yoannidis, among those ready to deliver a September to remember for footy fans.
With one of the closest finals campaigns in years, Triple M is once again the go-to destination for footy fans wanting to capture the biggest moments as they happen. And in 2025, fans will get a brand-new offering, Clubcasts, availableon LiSTNR: dedicated club channels serving highlights, player interviews, and game analysis from Triple M’s unrivalled coverage. Packaged in bite-sized weekly episodes, Clubcasts are perfect for a commute and staying up to date on the biggest stories for the teams still vying for the premiership.
Footy fans will still get their fix of much-loved Triple M shows throughout the finals series, including The Rush Hour with JB & Billy, The Midweek Rub, The Friday Huddle, The Saturday Rub, The Sunday Rub and local Breakfast shows in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, alongside new episodes of The Ben and Harry Podcast and The Howie Games, available to stream freeon LiSTNR.
Footy finals excitement will continue throughout September, and on Thursday, 25 September (‘Grand Final Eve Eve’), Triple M will take over the iconic Corner Hotel in Richmond, just a stone’s throw from the MCG, for the first ever Triple M Fest. Mick in the Morning with Roo, Titus & Rosie, Triple M’s Lu & Jarch, The Midweek Rub and The Rush Hour with JB & Billy will broadcast live at Triple M Fest (6am to 6pm), alongside performances from The Living End, British India, and Kingswood. Tickets can only be won on Triple M, making it the second-hottest ticket in town, right behind the Grand Final itself.
Ewan Giles, SCA Head of Sports Content, said: “It’s going to be an incredible finals series, with very little separating the teams in contention for the premiership. Our Triple M team is on the ground across the country to bring fans the biggest moments, the best calls, and the stories that matter. This will be Triple M’s biggest finals series yet. Whilst it’s still anyone’s guess who will lift the cup on the last Saturday of September, one thing is certain: no one captures finals like Triple M Footy.”
Triple M’s AFL coverage and dedicated sports shows are available across the network and can be streamed free on LiSTNR.
Source: *GfK Radio 360 Ratings. Metro Survey 3, 2025. Melbourne – Thursday 1800-2230, Friday 1800-2230, Saturday 1130-2230, Sunday 1300-1930. Adelaide – Thursday 1800-2200, Friday 1730-2200, Saturday 1100-2200, Sunday 1230-1900. Perth – Thursday 1600-2030, Friday 1600-2030, Saturday 0930-2030, Sunday 1100-1730. P10+ / P 10-69 / P25-54. Cume / Market Share %
About Triple M:
For more than 40 years, Triple M has been one of Australia’s most recognisable radio brands, providing listeners with a unique blend of Greatest Hits, Sport, and Comedy. With 49 stations nationwide – including six digital stations – Triple M is renowned for delivering music’s greatest hits, alongside iconic talent and standout shows that lead the way in sport and entertainment.
Reaching more than 4.9 million radio and on-demand listeners each week, Triple M is home to some of the country’s most respected sporting legends, beloved comedians, and music personalities, including Mick Molloy, James Brayshaw, Billy Brownless, Luisa Dal Din, and Jack Archdale – to only name a few! Triple M’s content is available live or on demand on the LiSTNR app.
The Organisation
The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) is a member based peak body for community broadcasters dedicated to supporting and championing community broadcasting in Australia. Community radio plays a crucial role in serving groups often overlooked by mainstream media delivering programming tailored to the interests and needs of local communities, reflecting Australia’s open society, strong democracy and vibrant culture. Each week more than five million Australians tune in to over 500 community-owned licenced services.
The Role
The Chief Financial and Risk Officer leads financial strategy, risk and governance and financial sustainability across the CBAA Group which includes the CBAA and associated entities, the Local and Independent News Association (LINA), and Disability Media Australia (DMA). You will be responsible for ensuring strong financial systems, performance, risk management and strategic financial planning aligned with each entity’s goals and the Group’s shared services model.
Reporting directly to the CEO, and playing a key role as a member of the senior leadership team, you will:
Skills Required
You will be a proven leader with experience in a similar executive leadership role who possesses high level financial and risk management experience. This will include experience preparing and presenting financial reports to senior boards and committees. Ideally you have broad knowledge of accounting for membership, government, philanthropic organisations
including grants acquittals. You have well-developed interpersonal engagement and communication skills including the ability to translate financial information to a variety of stakeholders.
If you’re passionate about contributing your well-developed financial and risk management along with your superior communication skills, then apply now. Please submit a resume and cover letter addressing the skills required above via NGO Recruitment. Alternatively phone Mike Hurdle on 02 8243 0570 to have a candidate information pack emailed to you.
| Program or issue | Station/licensee | Description | Outcome | Report published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast with David Penberthy and Will Goodings | Festival City Broadcasters Pty Ltd | Decency | No breach of Commercial Radio Code of Practice 2017 (revised in 2018)(ref. BI-713) | 26 August 2025 |
With another year comes another exciting round of finalist announcements for the Community Broadcasting Awards, this year taking place at the CBAA Conference awards gala on Saturday 25 October.
We’ll be posting finalist announcements on the CBAA Facebook page throughout next week according to the schedule below, and we’ll post a full list of finalists on our website on Friday 5 September, noting that the following three categories will be announced on the night:
If you’re attending the conference make sure you’re registered for the Gala Dinner to see the awards in person, it’s a separate registration and cost so check in with ICMS at cbaaconf@icms.com.au if you didn’t opt in during registration.
And whether you’re among the finalists or not we’d like to thank you for your entry and wish you all the best for future awards seasons!
| Day | Category | Time (AEDT) |
| Monday 1/09/25 | Best Program: Music | 10am |
| Best Program: New | 12pm | |
| Best Program: News & Current Affairs | 2pm | |
| Best Program: Talks | 4pm | |
| Tuesday 2/09/25 | Excellence in Special Events & Outside Broadcasting | 10am |
| Outstanding Fundraising & Sponsorship Contribution | 12pm | |
| Excellence in Station Resilience & Development | 2pm | |
| Excellence in Production | 4pm | |
| Wednesday 3/09/25 | Excellence in Australian Music | 10am |
| Excellence in Community Engagement | 12pm | |
| Excellence in Disability Content & Engagement | 2pm | |
| Excellence in Fundraising & Sponsorship | 4pm | |
| Thursday 4/09/25 | Excellence in Indigenous Content & Engagement | 10am |
| Excellence in Multicultural Content & Engagement | 12pm | |
| Outstanding Presenter | 2pm | |
| Outstanding Presenter News & Current Affairs | 4pm | |
| The Troy Garner Award – Best Program: Sports | 6pm | |
| Friday 5/09/25 | Outstanding Production Contribution | 10am |
| Outstanding Technical Contribution | 12pm | |
| Outstanding Volunteer Contribution | 2pm | |
| Outstanding Youth Contribution | 4pm | |
| Outstanding Station Leadership | 6pm |
The organisation
The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) is a leading member based, for purpose organisation. We provide programs and services that aim to strengthen the capacity and sustainability of over 450 community radio and media organisations.
With over five million listeners each week, community radio plays a vital role in providing a voice for multicultural, First Nations and other underrepresented groups, as well as supporting independent and emerging musicians, and communities not adequately serviced by other media services.
The role
As part of our Content team, you will play a key role in processing audio content for the Community Radio Network (CRN), AMRAP (Australian Music Radio Airplay Project), News and Powerd Media.
You will work alongside team members and interact with content makers, artists and their representatives to distribute quality content.
Your passion for Australian Music, Content and Community Media will enable you to excel and support our energetic and dedicated content team.
Key Responsibilities:
Your success profile will include:
Application Process
We are committed to improving outcomes for our communities, and value diversity and inclusion. We actively seek and welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and with lived experience in the communities we aim to serve (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability, culturally and linguistically diverse people, the LGBTQIA+ community and people of diverse genders and faiths).
We are happy to consider flexible employment arrangements.
To apply submit your resume (max three pages) and a cover letter (max two pages) addressing the requirements and reason for application to jobs@cbaa.org.au
Successful applicants will be contacted for interview.
Please note that there is no formal closing date for this role. Early applications are encouraged, and suitable candidates may be shortlisted for interview as applications are received. For enquiries about this role, please email jobs@cbaa.org.au.
Urgent Call for Legislation to Ensure Access to Local Radio
Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) has issued a clear message to government: without urgent legislation to guarantee radio prominence, millions of Australians could lose easy access to local radio in cars and on smart speaker devices – threatening the future of Australia’s only 100% locally owned mass medium.
Lizzie Young, CEO of CRA said: “Australia’s relationship with cars and radio is unique. Yet, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to access radio in new cars that prioritise global streaming services.”
“We drive long distances, live in dispersed communities, and rely on radio not just for entertainment, but for trusted news, connection, and vital information in times of emergency. Now is the time for urgent legislative action to ensure the medium of radio – with its central place in the driving experience – remains free and easily accessible for all Australians,” added Young.
CRA recently invested in upgrading the industry’s unified consumer app, RadioApp, which relaunched today with an enhanced user experience.
Moving forward, protecting radio as a priority costs nothing, and the solution is simple. The entire radio sector – commercial, ABC, SBS and community broadcasters – are united in calling for:
Radio has long been the most reliable form of communication in emergencies. During Cyclone Alfred earlier this year, Australians turned to radio for vital updates, just as they did during the 2019–2020 bushfires, when mobile networks and power grids failed, but radio continued to broadcast life-saving information.
“Radio shouldn’t need mobile data, Wi-Fi, or power to be accessible, it should be easily available when Australians need it most,” said Young. “The government must act now to protect a medium that 15 million Australians[i] rely on every week.”
Source: [i] Edison Research, The Infinite Dial 2025, Australians aged 10+, Listened to commercial radio in the past week.
ABC NEWS was again Australia’s top digital news provider in July with a monthly audience of 12.7 million people, according to the latest Ipsos iris data released today.
The audience was highly engaged, with an average time spent on the ABC NEWS website of 29 minutes per person.
Local and national news stories which drove audiences online for the latest news and information included the conclusion of the “mushroom murder” trial of Erin Patterson, the rescue of missing German backpacker Carolina Wilga, ongoing investigations into childcare, coverage of the “bomb cyclone” event that lashed the NSW coast and the death of Australian actor Julian McMahon.
In global news, the Russian earthquake, Pacific tsunami warning, death of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osborne and “CEO kiss cam” scandal during a Coldplay concert attracted the attention of Australian audiences.
