Category: Australian

The ABC has won seven out of 13 categories at the Tasmanian Media Awards, including journalist of the year for Jessica Moran and Chris Rowbottom.

Moran and Rowbottom won for their body of work on Tasmania’s racing industry.

Along with their ABC colleagues Andy Burns and Charlotte King, they also took home best news story, best sports coverage and public service journalism at the awards announcement in Hobart on Friday night.

The ABC’s Clancy Balen was named best new journalist, with the judges praising his finessed work and use of new media platforms. Adam Langenberg won best health reporting for his ability to break high-quality health stories as well as sensitively tell the stories of those affected by health system failures, while Selina Ross was declared the winner of the best arts reporting prize thanks to an array of exclusive stories that appealed to a broad audience.

The judges said the body of work that won Moran and Rowbottom the Journalist of the Year Award was based on solid, fearless journalism.

“Curiosity sparked their initial interest, their investigations led to a range of solid, news-breaking reports which are an exemplar of quality public interest journalism,” the judges said.

“Their reporting involved ‘mud on boots’ journalism, the cultivation of dozens of sources, and the use of Right to Know laws — which unveiled uncomfortable truths in a lucrative industry.”

The ABC fielded a total of 34 finalists in the awards, which recognise creative and courageous acts of factually based journalism that seek the truth and give new insight to an issue.

The full list of ABC finalists and winners:

2024 JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

•    Jessica Moran, Chris Rowbottom, ‘Tasmania’s Racing Industry’ — WINNER

Judges’ citation: “Chris and Jess’s reports were based on solid, fearless journalism. Curiosity sparked their initial interest, their investigations led to a range of solid, news-breaking reports which are an exemplar of quality public interest journalism. Their reporting involved ‘mud on boots’ journalism, the cultivation of dozens of sources, and the use of Right to Know laws — which unveiled uncomfortable truths in a lucrative industry.”

BEST NEW JOURNALIST

•    Clancy Balen – WINNER

Judges’ citation: “The judges have awarded Clancy Balen the title of Best New Journalist for his outstanding contributions to the field. His stories, crafted with a finesse that belies his newcomer status, captivated the judges with their depth, clarity, and relevance. The judges were also impressed with Clancy’s use of new media platforms, seamlessly integrating multimedia elements to enhance the storytelling experience.”

•    Rebecca Pridham – FINALIST

BEST NEWS STORY

•    Chris Rowbottom, Jessica Moran, Andy Burns, Charlotte King, Andy Burns, ‘Inside a Racing Juggernaut: How One Trainer Dominates the Nation’s Harness Industry’ – WINNER

Judges’ citation: “‘Inside a racing juggernaut’ broke open Tasmania’s troubled harness racing industry, sending shockwaves through sporting circles and beyond. The story showcased in-depth research and hard-won insider knowledge and triggered legal action and inquiries that continued more than a year later. Its compelling presentation ensured a broad audience.”

•    Jano Gibson, ‘Collision Course: The debacle impacting Australia’s Antarctic icebreaker’ – FINALIST

ARTS REPORTING

•    Lucille Cutting – FINALIST

‘Exploring Tasmania and Japan’s relationship through a 1990’s Japanese multimillion dollar box office film Tasmania Story’.

•    Selina Ross, body of work – WINNER

Judges’ citation: “The judges were unanimous in naming Selina Ross first for her very strong intention to take her audience deeper, for her endeavours to appeal to different audiences, and for going the extra mile in achieving exclusivity, fairness and balance. Successful in pitching all three stories, Selina’s reports enabled arts stories to achieve a well-deserved wider relevance.”

SPORTS COVERAGE

•    Jessica Moran, Chris Rowbottom, Andy Burns, Charlotte King,‘Stacking the Odds: Inside a Tasmanian harness racing juggernaut’ – WINNER

Judges’ citation: “Exceptional example of persistence, attention to detail and newsroom teamwork to break an exclusive story with widespread and ongoing ramifications beyond the racing industry. The reporters are to be commended for their curiosity being piqued by a daily news event that spawned such significant reports, on the back of admirable tenacity and commitment.”

•    Chris Rowbottom, body of work – FINALIST

HEALTH REPORTING

•    Adam Langenberg – WINNER

Judges’ citation: “High-level mix of news breaking on this critical round, with a human touch. Excellent use of contacts and knowledge of issues to break stories while bringing the reader into the lives of people affected by the state’s health crisis. Well written, researched and presented.”

•    Fiona Blackwood – FINALIST

•    Kim Napier, Breaking the Silence – FINALIST

PUBLIC SERVICE JOURNALISM

•    Jessica Moran, Chris Rowbottom, Andy Burns, Charlotte King, ‘Stacking the Odds: Inside a Tasmanian harness racing juggernaut’ – WINNER

Judges’ citation: “The team who worked on the winning entry displayed considerable fortitude, determination and endurance. What began with a routine report on an accident in a regional area, unfurled into a multi-faceted, months-long investigation that hinged on gaining the trust of key sources in an environment famed for its distrust of the media. Its impact is clear, ongoing and demonstrates the continued importance of old fashioned, shoe leather journalism.”

•    Jano Gibson, ‘Collision Course: The debacle impacting Australia’s Antarctic icebreaker’ – FINALIST

BEST NEWS IMAGE

•    Maren Preuss, ‘Year in Review’ – FINALIST

COMMENT AND ANALYSIS

•    Adam Langenberg, Tasmanian Political Analysis – FINALIST

EXCELLENCE IN LEGAL REPORTING

•    Adam Holmes – FINALIST

•    April McLennan – FINALIST

FEATURE, DOCUMENTARY OR CURRENT AFFAIRS

•    Piia Wirsu, Grant Walter, Blythe Moore, Liz Gwynn, Helen Shield, ‘Expanse: From the Dead’ – FINALIST

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

•    Jano Gibson, ‘Collision course: The debacle impacting Australia’s Antarctic icebreaker’ – FINALIST

CBAA is thrilled to announce our official commitment as a supporter of the National Strategy for Volunteering. By aligning ourselves with this important initiative, we are dedicated to advancing the National Strategy’s vision and strategic objectives. We recognise the immense value of volunteering in Australia, driving positive social impact, and creating a more cohesive society.

We encourage you to join us as official supporters of the National Strategy for Volunteering. Together, we can amplify our collective impact and create lasting change in communities nationwide. Visit the Coalition of Support webpage https://volunteeringstrategy.org.au/supporters/ to pledge your support and become part of this transformative movement.

ABOUT SYN
SYN is Victoria’s youth community radio station. We provide opportunities for young Australians to broadcast their views on issues and ideas that matter to them. SYN’s staff support and develop the strength of our volunteer base who are the creators and owners of all content across our various platforms. All volunteers are under the age of 26.

Find out more about SYN here: https://www.syn.org.au/about-us

SYN FM (90.7 FM & DAB+ digital radio)
SYN operates a full-time community broadcasting licence and can be heard throughout Melbourne and Geelong on 90.7 FM and on DAB+. Our broadcast also streams live on our website, and on the Community Radio Plus app.
1. JOB SPECIFICATION
Primary Focus
The Finance Administrator is responsible for day-to-day bookkeeping and administrative tasks. Including payroll, coordinating contracts and paperwork, banking, and ensuring compliance with relevant statutory requirements and obligations.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing account payables/receivables
• Processing banking transactions and regular bank reconciliation
• Processing payroll, SGC and PAYG
• Working with external accountant to ensure ATO obligations are met including IAS/BAS
• Working with the General Manager/Treasurer to complete EOFY processes
• Maintain reliable and accurate financial records
• Maintaining accurate asset register
• Filing and archiving of financial records
• Preparing journal entries
• Work with General Manager to complete half-yearly budget planning processes
• Organise and run quarterly financial reviews with Management Team and Treasure

Responsibilities shared with all SYN staff

• Adhere to SYN’s values
• Maintain a high standard of work practices and ensure integrity, respect and confidentiality whilst carrying out core tasks
• Work cooperatively with staff and volunteers to achieve the organisation’s objectives

SYN as an employer offers

• A culture of openness, that encourages you to ask questions, try new things and take risks – space to makes mistakes and learn
• Flexibility with ongoing personal appointments during work hours
• A professional development budget for each staff member
• Unlimited leave for COVID testing and vaccination appointments
• Unlimited paid professional development hours, we encourage staff to upskill and take opportunities that will further their career development, paying them to do so
• Flexible working from home and office policies
• A work laptop and modern office space based in Melbourne’s CBD

2. PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
You take initiative, look out for things people may miss and ask the questions to move the project forward. You are driven by timelines and objectives, can work unsupervised along with enjoy collaboration. You like seeing the bigger picture impact of your work and participating in strategic conversations.

3. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential*

1. Experience operating Xero (or comparable accounting software)
2. Advanced level of understanding of bookkeeping/accounting
3. Experience in managing payroll
4. High level organisational skills and attention to detail
5. Self-motivation and the ability to work with minimal supervision
6. Well-developed excel skills
7. Emotional intelligence and tact when working on sensitive subjects

Desirable

• An understanding of the non-profit and/or social enterprise space
• Experience reporting to a board of governance

*Applicants who fill most, but not all, of the essential selection criteria are still encouraged to apply. SYN favours applicants who show capacity for growth and development within the role. If you are unsure if your skills and experience are applicable, please contact SYN’s General Manager, Ruby Smith, at ruby.smith@syn.org.au

How to apply
To apply, please download the position description and provide the following information:

• A maximum one-page cover letter, detailing why you are interested in the position with reference to the key selection criteria.
• A maximum two-page CV, including a minimum of two professional references.

Email all applications in a single PDF document to SYN’s General Manager, Ruby Smith, at gm@syn.org.au, with the subject line “Community Manager Application May 2024”.
Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday, 19th May 2024.
All applicants will be contacted within one week of the application deadline and candidates who progress to the next round will be invited to a job interview.
For more information on this position, email Ruby at gm@syn.org.au or call 03 9034 1985.

SYN is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People with disabilities, people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply for this position.

ABOUT SYN

SYN is Victoria’s youth community radio station. We provide opportunities for young Australians to broadcast their views on issues and ideas that matter to them. SYN’s staff support and develop the strength of our volunteer base who are the creators and owners of all content across our various platforms. All volunteers are under the age of 26.

Find out more about SYN here: https://www.syn.org.au/about-us

SYN FM (90.7 FM & DAB+ digital radio)

SYN operates a full-time community broadcasting licence and can be heard throughout Melbourne and Geelong on 90.7 FM and on DAB+. Our broadcast also streams live on our website, and on the Community Radio Plus app.

SYN as an employer offers

• A culture of openness that encourages you to ask questions, try new things and take risks – space to makes mistakes and learn
• Flexibility with ongoing personal appointments during work hours
• Flexible working from home and office policies
• A work laptop and modern office space based in Melbourne’s CBD

2. JOB SPECIFICATIOn

Primary Focus

The Community Manager is responsible for supporting the development and growth of SYN volunteers, and ensuring regular radio programming runs smoothly. Their goal is to ensure volunteers have a meaningful and positive experience of our organisation and community. The Community Manager provides day-to-day support to volunteers, organises membership data, supports volunteer communications, and supports the General Manager to develop strategies to engage more young people to participate at SYN.

This position works under the direction of and with support from the General Manager to coordinate a range of volunteer programs throughout the year, including (but not limited to) upskilling workshops, SYN Awards, SYN Camp, and the SYN Mentoring Program. The Community Manager works closely with the General Manager to support SYN’s fundraising strategy, including engaging with SYN’s community of more than 5,000 alumni. The Community Manager also supports the General Manager to develop SYN’s relationships with arts, music and youth organisations across Melbourne/Naarm.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with RMIT on maintaining and continuously improving on-campus experience for SYN volunteers.
• Support the General Manager in executing SYN’s fundraising strategy, including SYN’s annual radiothon and subscriber drives.
• Provide direction and feedback to the volunteer Leadership Team.
• Support the Volunteer Programming Coordinator to ensure SYN’s radio grid runs smoothly.
• Coordinate membership renewal and collect member data.
• Coordinate SYN’s Mentoring Program, including recruiting mentees and mentors and developing industry partnerships.
• Contribute to SYNs grants strategy and support in the preparation of funding applications and acquittals.
• Coordinate event logistics for SYN volunteer events.
• Provide support and advice to SYN volunteers as needed.
• Oversee the training of new volunteers with support from SYN’s casual Induction Trainer.
• Maintain online and in-person training resources for new volunteers.
• Support the General Manager to develop relationships with Youth and Arts organisations across Melbourne/Naarm.

Responsibilities shared with all SYN staff:

• Adhere to SYN’s values of Inclusion, Innovation, Participation, Opportunity, and Independence
• Maintain a high standard of work practices and ensure integrity, respect and confidentiality whilst carrying out core tasks
• Work cooperatively with staff and volunteers to achieve the organisation’s objectives

3. PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

You are passionate about media and find fulfilment in planning projects to achieve social impact. You value emotional intelligence, want to understand people’s needs and are excited by motivating and inspiring others. You enjoy coordinating projects, and can work both unsupervised and in a team environment. You look out for the things people may miss, asking questions to move the project forward, and are able to coordinate multiple tasks. You are a strategic thinker and can communicate your ideas to various audiences. You want to grow and learn new things, and as an empathetic leader you want to build a career in the community media sector.

4. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Please note that SYN is interested in candidates that have space to grow in the role. We encourage applicants to apply who may not fit all the Selection Criteria but are passionate about development.

Required

• An understanding of the community broadcasting sector and/or the broader youth, media, or arts sectors
• Experience managing projects or events and achieving project objectives to a deadline .
• Experience managing volunteers and the ability to work collaboratively with young people from a diverse range of backgrounds
• Experience in volunteer recruitment or training of volunteers / young people
• Stakeholder management skills, including the capacity to establish and maintain positive relationships with funding partners and other community organisations.
• Problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate and prioritise project deadlines and outcomes.
• Commitment to SYN’s values and a passion for young people, youth issues, participation and youth voice.
• Ability to work with flexibility at SYN’s office and from home.
• A valid employee Working with Children Check or ability to attain one.

Desirable:

• A strong network across Melbourne’s music / arts / youth sectors.
• Experience with grant funding, including drafting submissions, reaching objectives, and preparing acquittals.

How to apply
To apply, please download the position description and provide the following information:

• A maximum one-page cover letter, detailing why you are interested in the position with reference to the key selection criteria.
• A maximum one-page CV, including a minimum of two references.

Email all applications in a single PDF document to SYN’s General Manager, Ruby Smith, at gm@syn.org.au, with the subject line “Finance Administrator Application May 2024”.
Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday, 19th May 2024.
All applicants will be contacted within one week of the application deadline and candidates who progress to the next round will be invited to a job interview.
For more information on this position, email Ruby at gm@syn.org.au or call 03 9034 1985.

SYN is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People with disabilities, people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply for this position.

CBAA’s submission to the inquiry into Australia’s live music industry, that spotlights the vital role that community broadcasters play in nurturing emerging talent, helping artists build their audience and income, promoting events and festivals, developing local live music capacity and innovating to bring more live music to their communities.

May 2024

Read more about the incredible work our sector does for live music here or on our submissions page.

• Have a close and co-operative relationship with local artists, live music venues, concert promoters and organisers.
• Manage programs, events and initiatives that are vital for artist development and career pathways.
• Support artist income with music licensing fees and event bookings and promotions.
• Host events and undertake activities that support skills development in music production, sound engineering, AV, promotions and event management that build local capacity in event and festival production

For the first time we have accompanied our written submission with a video submission. The video submission shares just a fraction of the incredible work community broadcasters do to connect their communities through live music. The video captures some of the brilliant examples of the mutually supportive relationship between live and local music and community radio.

The Federal Budget 2024, on Tuesday 14 May, resulted in a collaboration in the spirit of Roadmap 2033, between The Wire, National Radio News, 2SER, Hornsby’s Triple H and the Community Radio Network.

Triple H was presented by Alexi Boyd who had this to say: “I had fun running around the Gallery with my community radio branded microphone asking all the advocates to give two minutes of their time on industry perspectives. I was lucky to interview Bran Black, CEO of Business Council of Australia, Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood, Chris Richardson, Australia’s leading economist and Smart Energy Council’s John Grimes.”

The show was produced by our political reporter, Noah Secomb, who worked to set-up the space to share with the Wire presenter, Rod Chambers, four of his volunteers from 2SER and National Radio News’ Sasha Foot. Sasha had been released from newsroom duties in Bathurst and spent four days reporting alongside Noah, including  delivering a special live bulletin as part of the Budget Special.

The entire team was part of the famed Budget lock-up, where the media is prevented from communicating with anyone outside parliament as Australia’s fiscal future is presented. 2SER volunteers Steven Samaras and Alana Sunavratil joined presenter Rod Chambers and his expert guest and academic, Melissa Edwards, and the rest of the team to comb through the detail of what would be made public shortly after. It was a real team effort as described by Alexi Boyd, “My community broadcasting colleagues shared knowledge, budget analysis tips, and chocolates and made the experience stress free.”

Executive Producer of the Wire, Eduardo Jordan was delighted to see the show try this new format: “The Federal Budget special coverage of The Wire demonstrated that the news network across the (community broadcasting) sector is stronger than ever, with multiple collaborations on each front, giving a space to the issues the community are interested in. By creating partnerships across the sector, we are giving a platform to real voices and amplifying them to reflect the real Australia.”

Listen to the Budget Special here.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Tully Sugar Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chinese agribusiness company COFCO, after the company failed to adequately disclose its stake in Coastal Broadcasters Pty Ltd, which operates three commercial radio stations in regional Queensland.

Foreign stakeholders that hold at least 2.5 per cent ownership in Australian media companies must notify the ACMA the details of their company interests within 30 days after the end of each financial year. Tully Sugar has a 10 per cent stake in Coastal Broadcasters as part of its ongoing commitment to the local community.

“These rules are designed to provide greater transparency of foreign investment in Australian media companies,” ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said.

“Tully Sugar failed to lodge its foreign ownership notification for 2022-23 within the required timeframe after it had been warned when it failed to do so for 2021-22.”

In January 2023 the ACMA issued Tully Sugar with a formal warning for contravening the notification requirement for 2021-22. As Tully Sugar fell short of the notification requirement for 2022-23, the ACMA commenced formal enforcement action.

The court-enforceable undertaking requires Tully Sugar to undertake an independent audit of its compliance systems and processes and implement the recommendations of the auditor. Tully Sugar will also be required to report to the ACMA on the actions taken.

Information provided in foreign ownership notifications is used by the ACMA to update the Foreign Owners of Media Assets Register and to prepare an annual report to the Minister for Communications.