Australia Day Honours for radio greats

Legendary radio newsman Frank Avis and the Community Broadcasting Association’s Kath Letch are among the industry names to feature in this year’s Australia Day Honours List.

Letch (pictured above) – who was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the General Division – tells Radio Today “It’s an honour to be recognised for my work in community broadcasting and with radio stations that play such a meaningful role in their communities.”

“I hope one day Australians will be able to celebrate their achievements and contributions in a genuine spirit of reconciliation with First Nations people on a day that doesn’t commemorate invasion and colonisation.”

Avis (main photo) received the Order of Australia Medal for his service to broadcast media, particularly radio.

In a career spanning 42 years, Avis – former News Chief at Sydney’s 2GB – worked in the Australian electronic media from 1954 to 1996.

Avis began his radio career at the tender age of seventeen, as a trainee announcer at 2MG Mudgee.

He went on to work at a host of stations across Australia, including Melbourne’s 3XY newsroom, in the days when the big stories included the disappearance of Prime Minister Harold Holt and the Westgate Bridge collapse.

Avis would go on to cover the devastating impact of Cyclone Tracy, whilst working at Perth’s 6PR.

Also on this year’s Honours List is Craig Bennett – who recently joined the on-air team at Gold Coast community station 94.1FM.

Bennett was recognised for his service to broadcast media as an entertainment journalist.

Fiona Bamford-Bracher – who has 30 years’ experience as a broadcaster and producer – received an Order of Australia medal for her service to community radio.

Radio surf reporter Anthony (Shane) Stedman received an OAM for his contributions to the surf industry.

Radio regular – the late Father Bob Maguire – received a posthumous AO for his distinguished service to the community.

Majida Abboud-Saab was recognised for service to the Arab community, SBS Radio and the media.

Fiona Campbell – a guest presenter on ABC Classic Radio – was honoured for services to the performing arts through music.

The late Chris Murphy was recognised for services to the performing arts through music. Murphy was the former manager of INXS through RooART and involved in the Australian Made festival concert series

Other recipients include Denise Hylands: For services to community radio, particularly Triple R FM

Milly Petriella: Services to the performing arts through administrative roles working with APRA  AMCOS.

Adele Schonhardt: Services to the arts. Broadcaster and Board Member of 3MBS

Loretta Simmons: Services to the community. Presenter with Golden Days Radio.

Jennifer Woodward: Services to Broadcast Media, particularly television. ABC Radio Brisbane and Gold Coast weather presenter.