Bilby Awards 2026
Congratulations to all winners of the 2026 Bilby Awards for Excellence in Community Broadcasting!
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Runner Up: Rox FM – Shelley Madden & Anet Fendekova – The Rox Resiliency Project
Developed over an entire year, The Rox Resiliency Project invited residents from Roxby Downs and Andamooka to share personal stories of challenge, grief, loss, and resilience. With participants aged 24 to 88, from a wide variety of backgrounds, this broadcast series created a deep and meaningful connection across the community, reminding listeners that their experiences are shared and understood.
Runner Up: Coast FM – Open Day 2025
Coast FM’s annual Open Day is much more than an opportunity for the general public to get a behind-the-scene look at the station, it is a multifaceted community event where volunteers, musicians, community groups, makers and families come together to share music, laughter and lasting friendships. Built on enthusiasm and generosity, this is a textbook example of what an open day can achieve for a radio station and its community.
WINNER:
BBBfm – Steve Jones, Sandie Simons, Olivia Hughes, Jayden Batey, Richard McGrath – Nuriootpa High School Youth Expo Day
We all know how challenging it can be to engage younger members of the community with their local radio station. BBBfm went right to the source and created a fun, tailor-made, hands-on radio experience for students at the Nuriootpa High School Youth Expo Day. The involvement of former students now broadcasting on BBBfm also helped to make community radio broadcasting feel real and relevant to the younger generation.
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YOUTH CONTRIBUTION
Runner Up: Seth Kreitner – 2DRY
At only 21, Seth has already been broadcasting for almost 10 years! That’s right, this young man started on air when he was 12! His infectious energy and genuine personality reaches far beyond his broadcast; into almost every aspects of the station’s operations. Beloved by all, on and off air, Seth is perhaps the youngest stalwart you’ll ever meet!
WINNER:
Sam Georgiou – Radio Adelaide
Sam is an emerging reporter who embraces vital social and political issues at all levels, with mature insight and a natural flair to harness fresh perspectives often absent from the mainstream. His professionalism and dedication to quality news goes beyond his broadcasting and producing activities, and has a ripple effect on his team and anyone else he meets.
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VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Runner Up: Emily Rawlings – Triple Y
Emily joined the station when she was 16! Ten years later, she not only produces three separate shows, she is also a member of the board, as well as both the sponsorship and training committees… She is also the station cleaner! It really seems that no job is too big or small for Emily! Her spirit and contributions are quite simply phenomenal!
WINNER:
Peter Greco – Vision Australia Radio
Peter is truly one of South Australia’s most outstanding broadcasters. He has been delivering 10 to 12 separate interviews every single week… for over 30 years! Engaging with the community is Peter’s passion, and last year alone he accumulated more than 650 hours volunteering at Vision Australia Radio, generating original, informative, relevant – and often very important – content, not only for the blind and low-vision communities, but also for broader audiences, locally and across several national networks. He is nothing short of a local living legend!
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SPORTS BROADCAST
Runner Up: Coast FM – Sportscap
Despite its 140-year South Australian history, strong local clubs, and international achievements, lacrosse has received minimal mainstream media… until now! Sportscap recognised the local relevance of the sport and its imminent international rise, as part of the 2028 Olympics, and brought the community together to celebrate and launch it to new, well-deserved heights. Commercial media capitalises on trends; community radio creates them!
WINNER:
5GTR – Graham Gill & Annette Smith – Limestone Country Sports
More than a local sports coverage program, Limestone Country Sports is about celebrating the culture, and the people who create it. Every week, Annette and Graham welcome a diverse range of local individuals and groups, to share their passion and achievements, and demonstrate the incredible impact a healthy sports culture can have on the community.
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OUTSIDE BROADCAST
Runner Up: PBA FM – Indo Maju
It’s not often that a non-English speaking program goes out of the studio to meet the community in person. Indo Maju breaks the language barrier and can be seen – and heard – out in the real world whenever the opportunity presents itself. Indo Fest, Harmony Day, OzAsia… you name it! Indo Maju will be there to share their passion for language and culture.
Runner Up: Fresh 92.7 – 2025 Top 92
Months of planning went into Fresh’s special countdown of the 92 best songs of 2025, as voted by listeners. Over 600 people got together for a high-energy, top quality, whole-day outside broadcast of music, dance, and fresh beats!
WINNER:
Triple Y – Men’s Mental Health Week
A textbook example of a community radio station getting out, onto the streets, and bringing the community – individuals and advocacy groups – together, to openly discuss an important, and often ignored issue affecting a diverse range of people. An excellent outside broadcast, done with passion, care… and completely off-grid!
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MULTICULTURAL PROGRAMMING
WINNER:
PBA FM – Eliana Espinosa, Cristina Otero, Jaime Espinosa, Faruc Abdala, Alfonso Lopez – Siempre Lunes
More than a Spanish language program, Siempre Lunes helps to build bridges between cultures. It encourages community participation and reinforces the idea that successful settlement is a shared responsibility. When people are informed, connected and able to contribute, everyone benefits, creating a stronger, more inclusive, socially connected and diverse Australia.
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FIRST NATIONS PROGRAMMING
Runner Up: 5GTR– Brandon Button-Sander
Not everyone is comfortable with a formal, studio interview. So, Brandon took his recording equipment directly to the people, to engage in genuine, personal conversations, and above all, to give voice. This grass-roots approach not only fostered a deep sense of ownership and pride within the local Indigenous community, it also provided broader audiences with an authentic connection to NAIDOC Week.
WINNER:
PBA FM – Feel Good Nunga Radio
Diverse, informative, engaging and entertaining, this two-hour weekly program addresses local and national indigenous issues and events with great heart and care. With Aboriginal Culture at its forefront – and its core – it provides a platform for first nations voices, and creates an essential space for indigenous communities to share their stories, customs, and histories.
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BEST PRODUCTION
Runner Up: Coast FM – Jim Mortimer and Craig Waddle
Excellently produced and very well researched, this promo series links listeners to the history of music, in South Australia and beyond. An original take on the classic ‘station ID’ format executed with heart and talent.
WINNER:
BBBfm – Steve Jones & Ben Edwards – A Christmas Carol – Barossa Style
Reviving the art and magic of radio plays is no small feat! This production has it all: an original script, grounding the classic story in the Barossa region, combined with brilliant voice acting, sound design, music, and careful editing, to create a cohesive and immersive audio experience. The production features local voices and talent, reinforcing its strong connection to the community, while showcasing a high production standard and an unmistakable passion for audio storytelling. Theatre of the mind at its best!
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BEST INTERVIEW
Runner Up: Gulf FM – Michael Dare
A very special on-air discussion between two brothers, to inform and destigmatise dementia. Michael’s brother, Patrick is a prominent advocate who himself lives with this complex condition. Prevention, early detection, how to live with, and how to best support loved ones who live with dementia… Michael and Patrick’s candour resonated deep with many listeners.
WINNER:
Vision Australia Radio – Lizzie Eastham & Sam Rickard – Studio 1 (‘Disability and Desire’)
The disability community can be somewhat conservative in nature. Subjects like sex, desire or consent are simply not openly discussed. Breaking taboos is a primary mission for Studio 1 team Lizzie and Sam. Once again, the dynamic duo accomplished this brilliantly when they invited sex therapist and disability expert Patrick Rory-John to discuss openly the ins and outs of disability and desire.
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CAN’T GET OUT OF THE CAR
Runner Up: Wow FM – Donna Toft (Donnie D) – Pump up the Volume
Donnie’s Star Wars special is always different and always full of surprises. Her passion, engaging on-air presence and impressive research, make this yearly event one that glues listeners to their radio! The force is strong with this one!
Runner Up: Fresh 92.7 – Sean Craig Murphy, Gavin Potter, Tom and Callum – Fresh Generation
After a four-week search for the next generation of Fresh on-air talent – from over 100 entries – the announcement of the top 10 Fresh Generation winners made listeners late for work and school!
WINNER:
Triple Y – Emily and Josh Rawlings – This Is A Family Show
Radio hardly gets more engaging than this drive-time program by siblings Emily and Josh! Each week, listeners get wrapped up in their enthusiastic and highly creative quests to raise funds, which often result in bucket loads … of laughter! Funny, personal, at times even incredibly honest and intimate, this family show makes you wish your commute was longer!
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LOCAL MUSIC
Runner Up: Radio Adelaide – Adrian Miller, Clayton Werner, Tim Hall and Noni Espinosa – Songcatchers in the Round
Combining both concepts of a live-to-air acoustic performance and a panel of experts, Songcatchers in the Round features 3 local artists sharing songs with listeners, a small live audience, as well as with two other songwriters in the room with them, creating a perfect setup for genuine discussions on songwriting and a songwriter’s journey.
WINNER:
BBBfm – Tony Murphy, Ben Edwards, Steve Jones & Olivia Hughes – Live@BBBfm
Live@BBBfm is a monthly live music initiative that provides a community-focused platform for local emerging musicians. Professionalism and generosity are the key definers of the program’s team. The artists don’t only get to expand their audience, and hone their performance and interview skills, they also walk away with high-quality audio and video recordings to further develop their career.
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BEST RADIO PROGRAM
Runner Up: Vision Australia Radio – Peter Greco – Focal Point
This year is Focal Point’s 34th birthday! It is one of the most listened-to community radio programs produced in South Australia, being broadcast across multiple national networks. Focussing on people relevant to the disability community both in SA and around the country, Peter’s interviews are driven by his natural kindness of heart, and genuine interest in the human condition.
WINNER:
Three D Radio – Michelle Hunter – Roots & Branches
With origins traced back to the station’s very first broadcast week in 1979, Roots and Branches is Australia’s longest running community radio program! This year marks Michelle’s 40th year hosting. With a genuine passion for folk music, and a welcoming spirit beyond compare, she has made this program an absolute must for all emerging and established folk musicians living in or visiting our state.