Community radio awards finalists

NOT-for-profit local community radio station 106.7 Phoenix FM is a finalist in five categories at the 2023 Community Broadcasting Association of Australia awards. 

The station, run by volunteers, is a finalist for Excellence in Music Presentation, Excellence in Indigenous Broadcasting, Excellence in Indigenous Engagement, Outstanding Small Station, and Outstanding Volunteer Contribution. 

Phoenix FM presenter Anne Conway is the nominee for the Outstanding Volunteer Contribution award and presents the station’s weekly Monday Music and Musing program. 

“We would not nominate any of our programs or individuals in the CBAA awards if we did not firmly believe that the entry was of the standard which would make getting into the finals or even winning a possibility,” she said. 

“Having said that, we are extremely aware of just how high the bar is and the total professionalism across the community radio sector, so we were pleasantly surprised when we did make the finals cut in five categories.” 

Ms Conway holds a number of other roles, including team leader for its Indigenous broadcast team.  

In recent years, she said Phoenix FM made the finals in Indigenous categories, and back in 2010 and 2012, it won. 

Koori Shoutout is its First Nations program, broadcast on Tuesday nights from 6pm to 8pm. 

“Phoenix FM endeavours to engage with the local Indigenous community and conducts many interviews over the course of the year with community members and organisations such as BDAC and DJAARA,” said Ms Conway. 

She also said Phoenix FM is valuable as it offers a platform for parts of the community which might not get as much support from commercial or niche topic stations. 

“Phoenix FM endeavours to provide something for everyone,” said Ms Conway.