ACRAs October 9, 2014

ACRA’s Finalists Fever – #12

We are counting down the days to the big event on October 18 by profiling the finalists across all categories with RadioToday's ACRA's Finalists Fever

If you are one of this year's finalists, we are ready to roll out the red carpet. You can get involved by emailing us here.

Today we shine a spotlight on the best of the best:

Georgina Ingham-Myers from Nova106.9 for Best Music Director. Lisa Barnes from 6PR for Brian White Memorial.

Georgina Ingham-Myers

Best Music Director

Nova 106.9, Brisbane QLD, Nova Entertainment

Where did it begin and where are you right now?

I was a few months into the Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting in 2008 when Nova Perth called my lecturers asking for a weekend newsreader. I moved from the news room into announcing before relocating to Nova Brisbane. I continued to be on-air and learnt all about music scheduling from Brett Nossiter, helping him out with digital station Koffee.

I then filled in as Nova Brisbane’s Music Director 2011 and moved across to Brisbane’s 97.3 as morning announcer/MD before returning to Nova Brisbane as the permanent MD in late 2012. I’m currently spending a year down south filling in as MD at Sydney’s Nova 96.9 while Kristine Pymont is on maternity leave. Obviously a very fertile role!

You are up for Best Music Director ACRA… what makes you differen to the other finalists?

Our consistent ratings would have helped (led to the ACRA nomination). We’ve also stayed true to ourselves and continue to do what we believe works for the station which involves supporting new and Australian music.

Lisa Barnes

Brian White Memorial

6PR, Perth WA, Fairfax Radio Network

How did you get your start?

I started at Curtin FM fresh out of uni, worked as their breakfast newsreader for a year to get used to the early morning starts, then headed over to 6PR where I have remained for the past (almost) 7 years. I have slowly worked my way through to become assistant news director earlier this year, covering a wide variety of state and national issues. A personal highlight would be standing within breathing distance of the Queen while covering CHOGM in 2011.

Tell us about your ACRAs entry?

My entries are a series of crosses from incidents that were affecting perth on that particular day, and I think showcase what 6PR does really well, and that's being on the spot, taking the listener to where the action is when it matters the most.

https://radiotoday.com.au/music/acra 2014 – lisa barnes – brian white memorial award.mp3

Your speech, if you were able to make one…

I started off as a teenager in the country with a dream to tell people facts, and to end up as a finalist at the ACRAS is a young girls dream come true. Radio is an absolute adrenalin rush, fun to work in and I consider myself very lucky to love my job as much as I do.

Eliza Houghton

Best Newcomer Off-Air

3AW, Melbourne VIC, Fairfax Radio Network

So you are at 3AW now, where did it all begin?

It all started at Geelong's community radio station 94.7 The Pulse when I was 15. From there I volunteered for 3AW's Nightline program while studying. After bugging my then Content Director, I was given an opportunity to work on a range of 3AW programs including 3AW Breakfast, and now a producer for 3AW Drive.

So you are up for Best Newcomer Off-Air… tell us about your entry?

I got lucky with my entry, all I had to do was explain why I love working in radio, and that's easy! All the hard work was done by my Content Director Nicole Denton who made me and my work all sound rather impressive.

Your speech, if you were able to make one…

Thanks to everyone who has played a part in my radio career to this point, it's early days but I hope that there are still bigger and better things to come. Special thanks to Simon Owens who gave me the opportunity to come in late one night and watch Bruce and Phil in action, hopefully one day I can pass on that opportunity to someone else …

Are You an ACRAs Finalist?
If you're a finalist in Metropolitan, Non-Metropolitan, Provincial or Country drop us a line and we'll shine the spotlight on you. Email Blair here.