Entries have opened for the annual Australian Commercial Radio Awards.

There are 28 award categories, covering metropolitan, regional and provincial commercial radio stations.

Categories include news, talk, sport, music and entertainment eg: best presenter for news, current affairs, music; best station promotion; and best newcomer on air.

A new award this year is for best salesperson, recognising individual performance in sales, and is also open to provincial and country stations.

CRA CEO, Joan Warner, says: “the awards provide a great opportunity to recognise the achievements of Australia’s radio broadcasters and the role radio plays in informing, entertaining and providing a voice for the community.

“This year’s awards look set to be one of the most exciting and we are expecting yet another record number of entries.”

A feature of the awards is the Hall of Fame, which acknowledges a lifelong commitment to the industry. Last year, industry stalwart, John Laws, was inducted. Previous inductees have included Bob Rogers and Paul Thompson. Hall of Fame recipients are nominated by industry colleagues and decided by a high level judging committee.

Each year, the awards are held in a different state and at a different venue. This year, they will be announced on Saturday 16 October at a gala ceremony at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Formerly called RAWARDS, and starting off in 1989, the event is now known as the Australian Commercial Radio Awards to give a greater focus to the industry.

Entry is open only to CRA members and awards are based on performance and achievements in the preceding 12 months.