“Learning from the best was a dream come true.” Kate’s unique work placement at ARN, Nova, Nine & SCA

Kate Cleaver at ARN. Image: CRA

The past four weeks have been a happy hive of activity for Kate Cleaver, with the2025 Brian White Scholarship recipient having just wrapped up a paid work placement across ARN, NOVA Entertainment, Nine and SCA.

Part of Commercial Radio & Audio’s (CRA) Sound Start program, the scholarship supports the next generation of industry talent.

Kate, a student at Perth’s Curtin University, says “Learning from the best in the country was a dream come true, and it’s shaped the skills I’ll carry forward in my career.”

“This scholarship provided exceptional, real-world experience in the radio industry.”

Highlights included refining her newsroom skills, working on podcasts at SCA and voicing a podcast episode at Nova.

Kate got to work on the ground at 2GB and on Ben Fordham’s Breakfast show. She also sat in with KIIS Network host Smallzy at ARN.

Kate says she received some valuable industry feedback along the way, including:

 • Be proactive – don’t wait to be told what to do. If there’s something you want to do or experience, ask.

 •Don’t expect to be at the same level as everyone around you- you’re just starting out, and that’s okay. Be yourself and focus on doing your best. If people can see that you’re ambitious and willing to learn, it will take you a long way.

 • Get as many contacts as possible. You’ll be meeting lots of people: write down their names and roles so you don’t forget.

Meanwhile, the ACE Radio Network is looking forward to its next intake of students as part of CRA’s regional placement program, which provides selected Swinburne University students with hands-on experience at regional radio stations across Victoria, with CRA picking up the tab for associated expenses.

Recently, ACE Radio CEO Mark Taylor and Group Content Director Mat Cummins – along with CRA’s Gabi Andrews – met with media students at Swinburne, where senior lecturer Peter Marcato is working directly with CRA to provide opportunities for around five students to join ACE Radio stations in July this year for two weeks of work experience.

Last year, the regional placement program achieved its first major success story, with Nathan James (pictured above) securing a full-time position at the ACE Radio Network just months after his placement.

Of the Swinburne visit, Cummins tells Radio Today “Mark, Gabi and I had a really engaging conversation that could have easily lasted a couple of hours. It was really refreshing to meet students at the start of their media careers and see how keen they are to explore commercial radio roles”.

“Based on the quality of the students last year, I can’t wait for placement this year.”

“Swinburne has cleverly invested in brilliant facilities that are simply world class. Anyone studying now has access to studio facilities that easily replicate the best studios in Australia. Students can learn on Zetta and GSel so they are truly job-ready upon graduation”.

Find out more about the CRA’s Sound Start program here and head here for further info on the Brian White Scholarship program.

Images supplied.