Sydney communications specialist, Michele Watts, has joined the board of 2RPH, the Glebe-based community radio station that provides services to those unable to read due to vision or other physical disabilities.

Michele cut her teeth in the media starting her career at Kerry Packer’s Consolidated Press Holdings. She has more than 20 years’ experience in communications and heads up public relations agency.

Her company has serviced clients from sectors including, Not For Profit, lifestyle, the music recording industry and retail banking. She also has a long-term involvement in the education-arts sector through her offshoot business, School TIES.

After losing much of her vision in 2016 to become legally blind from the rare mitochondrial LHON condition, Michele continued to run her business and maintained her passion for sport through blind golf. In Rome in 2018, Michele was crowned World Blind Golf Lady Champion and Italian Open Champion, and has since won the Australian Open, Queensland Open and NSW Open Championships.

Michele brings a unique combination of life and work experience to the boardroom. Her appointment follows a strong tradition of visually impaired board representation which began with the trailblazing Barbara Blackman who agitated for community radio services to people with low vision back in the 1970s.

She says, “I’ve always admired the work of the 2RPH volunteers who bring the daily news, lifestyle and other programs to people who are unable, for a variety of reasons, to read newspapers and other print media.

“For me, joining the board is an opportunity to share an appreciation of the news media, and firsthand knowledge of what it’s like to navigate access to current affairs while managing a disability.

“For those of us who cannot read, it’s vital to have a channel of relevant audio content that enhances our potential to participate and be connected to our community.”

Michele will also serve on the 2RPH Engagement Committee, a sub-committee of the Board.