Steve Ahern has received an Order of Australia medal for service to radio broadcasting as an educator, media trainer and author in the Queens Birthday Honours list. Other radio people to receive awards in this week’s honours announcement include former Perth radio owner Jack Bandat, ArtSound’s Chris Deacon, multicultural presenter Eugenia Moraitis, and community broadcaster Gary Thorpe.
Steve Ahern has told radioinfo he is humbled by the award, which recognises his contribution to this industry through training and through major projects such as the foundation of a national media training school for South Africa as part of an AusAid project in the 1990s, and the more recent series of digital radio roadshows he developed. Ahern is also the author of the text book Making Radio and the original founder of this radio industry website.
Chris Deacon received his award for service to the ACT community by his leadership of the ArtSound community station in Canberra, which has recently expanded its facilities and now does professional audio recording and audio work for the National Film and Sound Archive.
Chris has told radioinfo:
“ArtSound FM is a prime example of what can be achieved by dedicated volunteerism,
it has an enviable reputation for its broadcasting service in the ACT region, involving
thousands of members and supporters in its local music, arts and cultural service,
mirroring happenings in the local community. It’s a unique station of which Canberra
citizens should rightfully be proud… I’m delighted to be recognised by the nation for helping to create one of the fastest
growing and most vibrant community broadcasting sectors in the world. It’s been a very
satisfying experience to see community radio grow from such small beginnings in the
early 1970s to the 350-station network it is today.”
Eugenia Moraitis is a Victorian radio presenter and producer and Gary Thorpe is a Queensland community broadcaster.
Jack Bendat, who previously owned 92.9 PMFM, received his OAM for his philanthropic work: For service to the community through philanthropic contributions to a range of charitable and cultural organisations.
Former 60 Minutes tv journalist Ian Leslie and chair of public broadcaster SBS Carla Zampatti also received awards in the honours list.