30 Under 30: Meet four more of our finalists

So much industry talent and such a tough job awaiting our judges! Today we present four more of our finalists in the Radio Today 30 Under 30 Awards:

Madelaine McNeill

After starting her radio career as a volunteer journalist at 2NURFM, Madelaine is now kicking career goals as a journalist at 2GB.

She jumped at the opportunity to apply for a job with Nine Radio, and says she exceeded her own expectations.

“Since starting on the mid-dawn shift, I’ve jumped through the ranks training up new team members, editing and presenting evening bulletins and the odd weekend breakfast shift, and have just been offered the role of Weekend Breakfast Editor.”

“I believe I am a future leader in this industry because I thrive on encouraging others to reach their full potential, and I also want to ensure radio news is reaching its full potential.”

Madelaine believes her best professional attribute is my willingness to learn.

“Throughout my career, I’ve learned that it’s okay to not have all the answers. Asking questions and being willing to make mistakes is the best way to improve your own skills.”

Cheandré Llewellyn

For Cheandré , professional success is about respecting your colleagues and being a team player.

A journalist at K rock in Geelong, Cheandré believes being an industry leader means maintaining professionalism at all times.

“I pride myself on treating others with kindness and respect as well as having compassion. I love sharing my knowledge with others whether they want to work in radio or study journalism. “

“I have had the privilege of working with radio legends such as John Laws who is a leader in the industry and have had fantastic mentors such as Gail Watson, News Director at 3AW.”

Cheandré strives to be authentic.

“I grew up in South Africa and moved to Australia when I was 8 years old and found this to be a huge benefit in this industry which requires big moves and constant change.”

“This is my biggest advice to those wanting to enter the industry is to be prepared for a move – it could change your life.”

Rhiannon Soliman-Marron

Rhiannon was interested in broadcast journalism from an early age.

“So it made sense that as soon as I started university, I walked into the campus radio station, 2SER, and asked if I could volunteer with them. I was placed in the newsroom, and my boss let me read a bulletin on air on my very first day. It was in that moment that I realised it was what I wanted to do.”

Now, being part of a 24-hour newsroom at 2GB means Rhiannon has had the opportunity to try her hand at a range of shifts, whether it be editing news overnight, in the evening or breakfast on weekends.

“I’ve recently been appointed the role of Breakfast News Editor, which is definitely my biggest career achievement to date, and while the early alarms will take some time to get used to, I can’t wait to take on the new challenge.”

Rhiannon believes being a good leader also means knowing when to step back and trust others.

“I try to create an easy-going environment as I think people create their best work when they are enjoying themselves or getting something out of it, even if the pressure is high!”

She believes one of the biggest challenges facing the audio industry is diversity, particularly in on-air roles.

“I have always been a firm believer in the phrase ‘you can’t be what you can’t see.’”

Sacha Barbour Gatt

Sacha – Triple M Sydney‘s Breakfast newsreader – says she’s lucky enough to have been trained and mentored by some of the best in the business.

“These people came in a range of positions and capabilities, but all have inspired me to aspire to become someone else’s mentor when the opportunity presented itself.”

Now holding down a senior position in the Sydney newsroom at SCA, working with a number of young journos, Sacha says “It’s been such a pleasure to start stretching my own muscles as a teacher and mentor, as it is a space I feel passionately about.”

“The best way to learn (in my experience) is through exposure, asking lots of questions and being willing to take on feedback.”

Sacha feels one of the biggest challenge facing the industry right now is employee satisfaction.

“I’ve worked at the three major networks and have found the problems staff face at one station are often no different at the others.”

“Pay has been a big issue within the radio industry, with talent often taking up all the cash, leaving the smaller players with the scraps. It’s just how the structure’s been modelled to-date – but I think it needs to change. “

“Too often now we’re seeing people who are good at their job walk away from the industry.”