John Laws was inducted into the radio industry’s Hall of Fame at the Commercial Radio Awards last Saturday night.
Laws received a standing ovation from the industry crowd at the Sydney Convention Theatre when the honour was announced.
In his acceptance speech Laws spoke about this “terriffic career” in radio and how he felt “blessed” to receive the award. He said: “I never thought I would receive a standing ovation from the radio industry. I feel very honoured.”
Despite network rivalaries, Alan Jones, who was presenting the next award after the announcement of the Hall of Fame, paid tribute to the talent of Laws, “a pre-eminent name in radio,” in some spontaneous comments about the award. Jones himself won Best Talk Personality for the second year in a row and also won Best Current Affairs Commentator.
Kyle Sandilands hosted the awards night, which was packed with top bands and star presenters.
radioinfo congratulates all the winners. They are:
(M = Metro; P = Provincial; C = Country)
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Category – Best Sales Promotion
Nikki Rooke – Triple M Network – “KFC Cricketers Box” M
The Triple T Team – Triple T Hobart – “Pig Brother” P
Ben Hope, Deborah Allen, Lisa Robinson and Michael Coote – B-ROCK FM 99.3 – “Jingle Bell Rock” C
Best Station Promotion
Nova 100 – Nova 100 – “Dilemma” M
Sea FM Gold Coast – 90.9 SEA FM Gold Coast – “Sea FM’s Human Flag” P
Snow FM – 2SKI – “Threesome” C
Best Sports Event Coverage
Triple MMM Football Team – Triple M Melbourne – “The Carey-Nixon War”
Best Current Affairs Commentator
Alan Jones – 2GB
Best Sports Presenter
Rex Hunt – 3AW – “3AW Football” M
Matt Granland – 95.5 K-ROCK – “Sports Update” P
Matt Stewart – 3YB C
Best News Presenter
Glenn Daniel – WS-FM M
Guy Sweeting – 2CA/2CC P
Nathan Stephens – 3WM – “3WM Local News” C
Best Documentary
2UE Production – 2UE – “Alec Campbell – the Last Anzac”
Best Music Special
Kyle and Jackie O’s Hot 30 Countdown – 2DAY FM – “The Grammys” M
2AY Music Team – 2AY – “2AY Classic Café Tribute: Maurice Gibb” P
Marc McCreadie – 2XL – “Elvis – Top 20” C
Best Newcomer On Air
Josh Szeps – 2UE M
Kerry Peters – 105.7 The River – “105.7 The River Morning Crew’s Kez” P
Mathew Monk – 95.3 Coast FM C
Best Newcomer Off Air
David Penna – 2GB and 2CH M
Toni Collett – MIX106.3/FM104.7 P
Andrea Sammut – MIXXFM – “Free Falling” C
Best Music Personality
Adam Willis – 2DAY FM M
Tim Lordan – 90.9 SEA FM P
David Gillies – 98.1 POWER FM C
Best Talk Personality
Alan Jones – 2GB M
Mike Jeffreys – 2CC P
Janice McGilchrist – 1503 2BS GOLD – “The Morning Wireless Program” C
Best Program Director
Brian Ford – FOX FM M
Mitch Braund – Triple T Hobart P
Damien Willoughby – SNOW FM C
Best Networked Program
Bruce Mansfield and Philip Brady – 3AW- “Nightline” M
Dani Torresan – RG Capital – “The Nite Mix with Dani Torresan” P
Best Syndicated Program
MCM Entertainment – “Take 40 Australia”
Best On Air Team
Merrick and Rosso – Nova 96.9 – “Burn in Hell” M
Pottsy and Leighton – 93.1 Star FM Wagga Wagga – “Pottsy and Leighton’s Big Breakfast” P
Cathy and Monkey – 95.3 Coast FM C
Best Station Produced Commercial
Eric Stephens – WS-FM – “Chambers Cellars” M
Cristy Kilo – 99.7 Star FM – “Falcon Beauty” P
Jenny Summerville and Glen Thomas – 2RE – “Ruby and Gordon” C
Best Station Produced Comedy Segment
Triple M Sydney – 2MMM – “Brogden vs Carr – The Debate 2003” M
David Noonan – Triple T Hobart – “Dave Noonan’s Crazy Call” P
Matt Sutton and Annwen Hughes – ZOO FM – “British Correspondent” C
Best Community Service Project
B105 Team – B105 FM – “The B105 Christmas Appeal 2002” M
Jamie and Kez, The Morning Crew – 105.7 The River – “Water for Christmas” P
Alex Hilling – 105.5 Star FM – “Alex and Petula’s Children’s Ward Christmas Appeal” C
Best Achievement in Production
Vicki Marr and Arden Hanley – Nova 100 – “Nova 100 Imaging” M
Shane Rogers – 90.9 SEA FM P
Mitch Smart – ZOO FM – “Sounds of Dubbo” C
Best Promotions Director
Diane Massey – 2DAY FM M
Melanie Lindquist – NX FM and KO FM P
Lisa Robinson – 1503 2BS GOLD and B-ROCK FM 99.3 C
Engineering Excellence Award
Frank Wilcox and Martin Quiggin – Macquarie Radio Network –“Network Relocation” M
Brett Alder and Kevin Griffiths – KO FM and NX FM – “Station Automation” P
Jason Davis – 1503 2BS GOLD and B-ROCK FM 99.3 – “Studio Mate” C
Brian White Memorial Award
Justin Kelly – 2GB M
Ian Crouch – 2HD- “West Lake Macquarie Bushfire” P
Lois Chislett – 3YB C
Best Station Sales Achievement
Macquarie Radio Network Sales Team – 2GB – “2GB 2002” M
NX FM Sales Team – NX FM P
Best Music Director
Dave Cameron – 2DAY FM M
Glenn Mintern – 4TO FM P
Ben Hope-1503 2BS GOLD and B-ROCK FM 99.3 C
Most Popular Station Manager
Richard Barker – B105 M
Paul Sweeney – 4RO 990 AM and SEA FM 101.5 Rockhampton P
Steve Swadling – 2GN and Eagle FM 93.5 C
Most Played Australian Artist on Commercial Radio: Kylie Minogue
Best New Artist on Australian Commercial Radio: Delta Goodrem
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Commercial Radio Australia’s CEO , Joan Warner said the event highlights “the outstanding levels of professionalism and excellence demonstrated throughout the radio industry nationally.”
“Australian commercial radio delivers a first class service to millions of listeners every day – and tonight’s winners and finalists reflect the impressive wealth of talent working in metropolitan and regional radio stations across Australia.”
The evening, held at the Sydney Convention Centre, was attended by more than 800 people and featured entertainment by international country music sensation Keith Urban, singer-songwriter Alex Lloyd, rising new talent Amiel, entertainer David Campbell and iconic Australian band Icehouse. “This year’s Awards have been the most successful to date with the event featuring stars from commercial radio in Australia as well as an impressive entertainment line-up,” said Warner.