The Community Broadcasting Association has announced that Crikey founder Stephen Mayne will be the keynote speaker for its November conference in Melbourne.

CBAA GM Kath Letch has told radioinfo: “Stephen Mayne was selected for this year’s conference for his independent views and energetic pursuit of media issues, shareholder activism and role in establishing Crikey as an online news service. A self-described ‘reformed Murdoch hack’ Stephen is sometimes a controversial figure that isn’t afraid of putting forward his perspectives on issues and we’re hoping that activates conference debate around media convergence and the role of community media and content.”

Mayne is a business journalist, local government councillor and self-described shareholder activist. He still writes for Crikey and is a regular business commentator on ABC and publisher of The Mayne Report. He worked for a number of media outlets and first rose to prominence as a media advisor to former Victorian Premier, Jeff Kennett, before resigning to set up the jeffed.com site.

Letch says the conference “will also feature a range of workshops and sessions including social media policy for community enterprises, fundraising, digital radio, volunteer management, conflict resolving media and and social transformation, Australian music, radio automation systems, training, governance, content development, and women, media & technology.”

The conference theme this year is ‘Access All Areas’ and early bird registration discounts are available until October 12th. Registration details here.

The 2012 CBAA Awards will also take place during the CBAA Conference, which will be held 15-18 November at Rydges On Swanston in Melbourne.

Kath Letch also told radioinfo she has just given her notice and will leave the CBAA General Manager role next year, when her contract ends. More in Comings and Goings.