ACRAs 2023: Full Winners List

Queensland Breakfast legends Laurel Edwards and Steve ‘Pricey’ Price have been inducted into the ACRAs Hall of Fame at this year’s awards.

Breakfast radio duo Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller have been crowned the Best On Air Team (Metro), with Jimmy & Nath and Matt Lipiarski & Jimmy Thwaites winning that award in the provincial and country categories.

The Kyle & Jackie O Hour of Power scored Best Networked Program, while Kyle
Sandilands received the inaugural Individual Talent of the Year Award (Metro), from a highly competitive field including his on-air partner Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, Christian O’Connell, Jase Hawkins, Ray Hadley, Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald and ‘Ugly’ Phil O’Neill.

Retiring 3AW legend Neil Mitchell has won Best Talk Presenter (Metro) for the eighth time, as well receiving the award for Best News Event Coverage for the Victorian floods. 2GB’s Ben Fordham was named Best Current Affairs Presenter for a second time.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland sent her congratulations on the night, acknowledging the commercial radio industry’s “tireless efforts in keeping Australia connected, informed and entertained” since the first broadcast 100 years ago.

“Through war, drought and flood and through profound changes in society, shifts in the economy anda transformation in technology – radio has stood the test of time and continues to punch above its
weight when it comes to contributing to the diversity of voices and local stories in our media sector.”

Podcasts and audio streaming are being embraced by listeners and the ACRAthis year had a range of new categories recognising these growing market segments.

WINNERS: 2023 AUSTRALIAN COMMERCIAL RADIO AWARDS

ENTERTAINMENT & TALENT

BEST ON AIR TEAM (METRO)

Jonesy & Amanda; Brendan Jones, Amanda Keller, WSFM, Sydney NSW, ARN

BEST ON AIR TEAM (PROVINCIAL)

Jimmy & Nath; Jimmy Smith, Nath Roye, Hit100.9, Hobart, SCA

BEST ON AIR TEAM (COUNTRY)

Mixx Brekky with Jimmy & Lippi; Matt Lipiarski, James Thwaites; Mixx FM, Colac, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters

INDIVIDUAL TALENT OF THE YEAR (METRO)

Kyle Sandilands; KIIS 1065, Sydney, NSW, ARN

INDIVIDUAL TALENT OF THE YEAR (PROVINCIAL)

Ellie Angel-Mobbs; Hit 104.7, Canberra, ACT, ARN/SCA

INDIVIDUAL TALENT OF THE YEAR (COUNTRY)

Michael Moffett; Triple M, Coffs Harbour, NSW, SCA

BEST PROGRAM/CONTENT DIRECTOR (METRO)

Tony Aldridge; KIIS 1065, Sydney, NSW, ARN

BEST PROGRAM/CONTENT DIRECTOR (PROVINCIAL)

Rod Cuddihy; Mix 106.3/Hit 1047, Canberra, ACT, ARN/SCA

BEST PROGRAM/CONTENT DIRECTOR (COUNTRY)

Matt Lipiarski; 3CS & Mixx FM, Colac, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters

BEST NETWORKED SHOW

Kyle & Jackie O Hour of Power; Kyle Sandilands & Jackie Henderson; KIIS Network, ARN

BEST MUSIC HOST (METRO)

Ellie Angel-Mobbs; B105, Brisbane, QLD, SCA

BEST MUSIC HOST (PROVINCIAL)

Sean Brown; Hit 106.9, Newcastle, NSW, SCA

BEST MUSIC HOST (METRO, PROVINCIAL, COUNTRY)

Gemma Sweeney; 93.5 EAGLE FM, Goulburn, NSW, Capital Radio Network

THE BRENNO / BEST NEW TALENT ON AIR – RADIO (METRO)

Laura O’Callaghan; Triple M, Adelaide SA SCA

THE BRENNO / BEST NEW TALENT ON AIR – RADIO (PROVINCIAL)

Gina Jeffreys; Star 104.5, Central Coast, NSW, NOVA Entertainment

THE BRENNO / BEST NEW TALENT ON AIR – RADIO (COUNTRY)

Isabella Roldan; Chilli FM, Launceston, TAS, ARN

BEST NEW TALENT OFF AIR – RADIO (METRO)

Stephanie Clarkson; B105, Brisbane, QLD, SCA

BEST NEW TALENT OFF AIR – RADIO (PROVINCIAL)

Chloe Burgess-Jones; 107.7 Triple M / Hit 101.3, Central Coast, NSW, SCA

BEST NEW TALENT OFF AIR – RADIO (COUNTRY)

Hannah Rapley; Real FM, Mudgee, NSW, Super Radio Network

STATION OF THE YEAR (METRO)

KIIS 1065; Sydney, NSW, ARN

STATION OF THE YEAR (NON-METRO)

Mix 106.3; Canberra, ACT, ARN/SCA

BEST COMEDY SEGMENT

Ben, Liam & Belle, “Andy Lee & Belle’s Room”; Nova 100, Melbourne, VIC, NOVA Entertainment

SALES & MARKETING

SALES TEAM OF THE YEAR (METRO)

Nova 93.7 Commercial Team; Perth, WA, NOVA Entertainment

SALES TEAM OF THE YEAR (NON-METRO)

GOLD FM98.3 & AM1071 Sales Team; Central Victoria, VIC, ARN

BEST REGIONAL SALESPERSON (REGIONAL)

Ronnie Young; River 949, North Ipswich, QLD, ARN

BEST DIRECT SALESPERSON

Clare Doutch; Nova 93.7, Perth, WA, NOVA Entertainment

BEST AGENCY SALESPERSON

Megan Beard; Nova 93.7, Perth, WA, NOVA Entertainment

MOST CREATIVE SALES SOLUTION – NATIONAL

Fitbit – Breaking Ground; Nova Entertainment; Sydney, NSW, NOVA Entertainment

PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (METRO)

Annette George; 101.7 WSFM, Sydney, NSW, ARN

PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (NON-METRO)

Zak Davies; Mix 106.3 / Hit 104.7, Canberra, ACT, ARN/SCA

MOST CREATIVE STATION PROMOTION (METRO)

“Win A Billboard”; The Christian O’ Connell Show, ARN Marketing, Melbourne, VIC, ARN

MOST CREATIVE STATION PROMOTION (PROVINCIAL)

Jimmy & Nath’ s Wild Goose Chase; Jimmy Smith, Nath Roye; Hit100.9, Hobart, SCA

MOST CREATIVE STATION PROMOTION (COUNTRY)

Locals Sing Christmas; Jenny Burrow, Mal Rock, 2MG & Real FM, Mudgee, NSW, Super Radio Network

MARKETING TEAM OF THE YEAR

SCA Marketing Team; SCA, Melbourne, VIC, SCA

BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN

The Christian O’Connell Show, “Win a Billboard”: ARN Marketing & GOLD Content, GOLD104.3, Melbourne, VIC, ARN

PODCASTS & DIGITAL

PODCAST HOST/S OF THE YEAR

It’s A Lot; Abbie Chatfield, LiSTNR, Sydney, NSW, SCA

BEST PODCAST BY A RADIO SHOW

Bianca, Ben & Lakey, Lift the Lid Podcast; 90.9 Sea FM, Gold Coast, QLD, SCA

PODCAST OF THE YEAR

The Children in The Pictures Podcast; Akhim Dev, Emma Lancaster, Belinda Lopez, Jennifer Goggin, Simon Nasht, Romy Sher, Darcy

Thomson, Bonnie Lavelle; LiSTNR, Sydney/Melbourne, SCA

MOST INNOVATIVE DAB OR PODCAST FORMAT

TikTok Trending on iHeartRadio; TikTok Trending Team, iHeart, National, NSW, ARN

BEST NEW TALENT – PODCAST

Matty Mills “Not So PG”; Nova Podcasts, Sydney, NSW, NOVA Entertainment

PRODUCTION

BEST RADIO SHOW PRODUCER (METRO)

James Willis; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio

BEST RADIO SHOW PRODUCER (NON-METRO)

Haylee Potts; Mix 106.3, Canberra, ACT, ARN/SCA

BEST PODCAST PRODUCER (SHOW)

Matt White, Stories of Origin, 9Podcasts; Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio

BEST PODCAST PRODUCER (AUDIO)

Darcy Thomson, The Children in The Pictures; LiSTNR, Melbourne, VIC, SCA

BEST IMAGING PRODUCER (METRO)

Natasha Thorniley; 92.9 Triple M, Perth, WA, SCA

BEST IMAGING PRODUCER (PROVINCIAL)

Matt Innes; 92.5 Triple M, Gold Coast, QLD, SCA

BEST IMAGING PRODUCER (COUNTRY)

Sophie Jackson; 3WM & Mixx FM, Horsham, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters

DIGITAL TEAM OF THE YEAR

Joshua Fox, Ella Kanna; KIIS 1065, Sydney, NSW, ARN

BEST DIGITAL CONTENT CREATOR

Scott Couchman; KIIS97.3, Brisbane, QLD, ARN

BEST INNOVATION IN ENGINEERING

Gino Canzano; SCA Engineering Team, Melbourne, VIC, SCA

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE (METRO)

David Getting Decked; Joshua Robins, Tim Whittington, Mix 94.5, Perth, WA, SCA

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE (PROVINCIAL)

North East Bin Hire; Mark Stevens, Cassie Aldridge; 2AY, Albury, NSW, ACE Radio Broadcasters

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE (COUNTRY)

Home Harmony; Tamara Heinjus, Nat Marshall; 783 Triple M, Albany, WA, SCA

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN (METRO)

Vinnies; Darren Russell & Eddie Bye, NOVA Entertainment CREATE, NOVA Entertainment

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN (PROVINCIAL)

Be Safe | Be Alive; Chris Tankey, Cath Bell & Adam Jansen; Mix 106.3 / Hit 104.7, Canberra, ACT, ARN/SCA

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN (COUNTRY)

Mowers and More; Cameron Horn; SCA Coffs Harbour, NSW, SCA

TALK, NEWS & SPORT

BRIAN WHITE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM (METRO)

Clinton Maynard; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio

BRIAN WHITE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM (NON-METRO)

Katie Woolf; Mix 1049, Darwin, NT, ARN

THE GLENN DANIEL AWARD – BEST NEWS PRESENTER FM

Patrina Jones; GOLD104.3, Melbourne, VIC, ARN

BEST NEWS PRESENTER AM

Amie Meehan; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio

BEST NEWS EVENT COVERAGE

Victorian Floods; Neil Mitchell; 3AW Melbourne, VIC, Nine Radio

BEST LOCAL NEWS TEAM

David Dollin, Hamish Finlay, Isabel Everett, Dan Flegg, Madeline Larsen; Triple M, Newcastle, NSW, SCA

BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PRESENTER

Ben Fordham; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio

BEST SPORTS PRESENTER (METRO

Gerard Whateley; SEN 1116am, Melbourne, VIC, Sports Entertainment Network

BEST SPORTS PRESENTER (NON-METRO)

Gus MacLeod; 2AY, Albury, NSW, ACE Radio Broadcasters

BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE (METRO & NON-METRO)

2022 State of Origin Decider; The Continuous Call Team; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio

BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE (NON-METRO)

2022 AFL Grand Final; K rock Football Commentary Team, K rock 95.5, Geelong, VIC, Grant Broadcasters

BEST DOCUMENTARY – RADIO

Bali Bombing 20 Years On; Chris Davis/Ben Ryan; KIIS Network, Sydney, NSW, ARN

BEST COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN (METRO)

Mel Dzelde Rescue: The Spirit of Christmas; The Ali Clarke Breakfast Show; Mix-102.3, Adelaide, SA, ARN

BEST COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN (PROVINCIAL)

Pack the Bus; Mix 106.3 Product Team, Canberra, ACT, ARN/SCA

BEST COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN (COUNTRY)

Thank A First Responder Day; Dana Hamilton; 98.1 Power FM, Muswellbrook, Hunter Valley, NSW, ARN

BEST TALK PRESENTER (METRO)

Neil Mitchell; 3AW, Melbourne, Nine Radio

BEST TALK PRESENTER (NON-METRO)

Katie Woolf; Mix 104.9, Darwin, NT, ARN

MUSIC

BEST MUSIC FEATURE

Behind The Hits – Remembering Taylor Hawkins; Triple M LiSTNR Music Team, Sydney, NSW, SCA

THE GUDINSKI – AUSTRALIAN MUSIC CHAMPION

Triple M’s Homegrown with Matty O; Matthew O’ Gorman, Julia Di Gregorio, Chris Holland, Kalun Townsend, Triple M Network,

Melbourne, VIC, SCA

MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Jake Powell; CADA, Katoomba / Western Sydney, NSW, ARN

MOST PLAYED NEW AUSTRALIAN SONG ON COMMERCIAL RADIO

Peking Duck – I Want You (feat. Darren Hayes), Sony Music Australia

MOST PLAYED NEW SONG ON COMMERCIAL RADIO

Miley Cyrus – Flowers, Sony Music

SPECIAL

HALL OF FAME

Laurel Edwards, 4BC Nine Radio

Steve “Pricey” Price, Triple M Townsville, SCA

In his speech Pricey paid tribute to his audience and the medium of radio in its centenary year.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AWARD

People Experience; Nova Entertainment, National, NSW, NOVA Entertainment