National Radio News (NRN) has farewelled News Director Frank Bonaccorso after nearly five years with the NRN and the News Collaboration project, broadcasting out of Charles Sturt University in Bathurst. Frank also worked for the ABC for more than two decades, and for this publication.
Just as he was prepared to leave NRN a local story he was reporting on, about the Nguyen’s, a Vietnamese family from Bathurst facing deportation due to a visa mishap, gained national attention. On his very last day Local member for Calare, Andrew Gee, told Frank that the news had reached Immigration Minister, Tony Burke, who was now aware of the family’s situation and in a position to intervene.
Frank’s tenure began in 2017 as overseer of Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) local news service. In 2019 he transferred to the university’s national broadcast service, National Radio News (NRN), where he assumed the role of News Editor. That position soon evolved into Director of News and with that, a fresh approach to story gathering and cadet/intern training.
Frank developed new pathways for CSU students wishing to pursue a career in the broadcast news sector. Along with the Community Broadcast Association (CBAA), NRN developed new story-gathering strategies , with an emphasis in Indigenous, multicultural and social injustice reporting.
Under Frank’s stewardship, NRN and CBAA became pivotal partners in a collaborative news network, conceived in 2022 and now reaping exceptional results with incredible stories, ideas and news-based research projects emanating from every corner of the country.
Frank oversaw the training and development of dozens of undergraduates who are now flourishing in both the public and private media sectors. A number have won Walkley Awards and many more have secured scholarships and postings in Australia and overseas.
“All good things must end,” says Frank. After 40 years in broadcast journalism, he is moving on to ‘smell the roses’ and pass the Community Broadcast sector baton onto younger, fresh thinking.
Dr Eduardo Jordan, Executive Producer of The Wire and Newsroom Coordinator at 4EB said of Frank:
“Frank Bonaccorso is one of the most respected journalists and news editors I have worked with. His editorial skills and journalistic experience has not only placed NRN in a good position within the sector, but also has contributed to the success of the sector’s News Network by providing feedback and support to the rest of the community newsrooms across Australia. Frank not only has become a colleague and a immense source of knowledge, but a friend that I will miss working with. I wish Frank all the best in his future endeavours and I hope to work with Frank in the near future”.
The CBAA also thanked Frank for his invaluable contributions to the NRN, the News Collaboration project and the communities they serve.