ARN has announced the appointment of two of Australia’s most experienced content leaders into senior executive roles.  Kerri Elstub will join ARN as Chief Content Officer and Dave Cameron will join as Director of Content – Metro Radio.

The two senior content appointments support ARN’s commitment to creating and distributing more Australian content across its leading Metro and Regional radio networks, the iHeart Network and social platforms.

The appointments reflect ARN’s ongoing evolution under new leadership and its commitment to a clear separation of core content departments from enabling functions to sharpen focus and drive efficiency.

Kerri Elstub is one of Australia’s most respected cross-platform content executives. With more than 35 years’ experience in radio, television, and digital, she has a deep understanding of Australian audiences, has shaped some of Australia’s most influential programs, and driven major digital transformation initiatives.

Kerri began her career at 2UE before joining Nine, where she held a range of senior content roles on flagship programs including Today, Weekend Today, Kerri-Anne, and A Current Affair. For the past seven years she has been Director of Nine’s digital platform nine.com.au.

Kerri Elstub said: “I began my media career in radio, so joining ARN as Chief Content Officer feels like coming full circle. Creating compelling content is part of who I am, and I’m excited to work with Michael and the team to deliver distinctive, engaging experiences that resonate with our audiences and create value for our commercial partners across every platform.”

ARN CEO Michael Stephenson said: “Kerri brings 35 years of experience in creating and curating content for Australian audiences. She has a deep understanding of the power of radio, video, social, and digital. Over the past seven years, she has led one of Australia’s largest digital platforms and worked alongside some of the country’s biggest stars. With this experience, she is the ideal person to lead ARN’s content team.

Dave Cameron is one of Australia’s most experienced radio executives. With 30 years of experience in radio and digital audio, he brings deep domain expertise across programming and music strategy, talent management and development, and incredible operational and leadership strength. As Director of Content – Metro Radio, he will have responsibility for metro radio P&L, including content and programming strategy across the KIIS and GOLD metro radio networks.

Most recently as the Chief Content Officer at SCA he had responsibility for the strategic direction, content, and operations for metro and regional radio, as well as digital and podcast platform content output.

Dave Cameron said: “After a short spell away, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue contributing to Australia’s vibrant and evolving media industry. I’m really thrilled to be joining ARN in 2026, and look forward to working alongside Michael, Kerri and the fantastic market-leading creative teams, talent, and brands in the new year. With a renewed vision and energy, ARN is an entertainment company that’s crystal clear about its exciting future ahead, and I can’t wait to play a part in its growth.”

Michael Stephenson added: “Dave is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most senior radio and audio content executives and he’s now at ARN. His understanding of Australian listeners combined with his experience in programming strategy, music scheduling, and operational excellence make him the perfect leader to work with our KIIS and GOLD teams led by Derek Bargwanna and Sue Carter.”

“We have a bold vision for ARN to be an Entertainment Company. We want to create more audio, video, and social content alongside real-life experiences to create more opportunities for audiences and advertisers. Dave’s strategic programming experience and deep domain expertise combined with Kerri’s strategic leadership and cross-platform content experience will supercharge our ability to deliver our vision.”

Both appointments are effective early 2026.

This year’s CBAA Conference in Nipaluna/Hobart featured three sessions on fundraising and sponsorship: 

• Opening Keynote – Adrian Sargeant
• Easy Station Sponsorship Strategies – Anthony Graham (Binjang Radio), Sue McLennan (MainFM), Steph Riddel (MainFM)
• The Next Step in Station Fundraising: Identifying and Engaging with Donors – Stephen Pyk (3MBS)

Here are 6 key takeaways from these sessions. 

Opening KeynoteEmpty heading

1. Use identity-based social proof to lift giving now and later
When donors hear what someone else has given – for example, “another listener has just contributed $X” – their own gift size increases, even for renewing donors. The most effective amount to mention is around the 90–95th percentile of recent gifts for that segment. The experiments that Adrian’s team conducted show donations increase by a minimum of 10%.

2. Shape your language around how supporters see themselves
Donors give through their identity – as local community members, listeners, music lovers, carers, people of faith, etc. When fundraising messages use the same words donors use to describe themselves (e.g. caring, generous, kind) and remind them they’re part of a network of friends and family who also listen, people tend to give more. The job is to understand those identities (by actually asking supporters) and reflect them back in on-air scripts, emails and direct mail, rather than relying on generic language.

Easy Station Sponsorship StrategiesEmpty heading

3. Dedicated sponsorship roles and simple, flexible packages drive growth
Main FM’s experience shows that having a staff member focused on sponsorship, even part-time, can transform station revenue. When their Fundraising and Sponsorship Officer commenced (Supported by a CBF grant) this helped the station grow from 12 sponsors to around 60, with most being solid supporters.  Most recently have streamlined ten packages down to five clear options, kept pricing accessible, and allowed room for tailoring, which has encouraged even more growth.

4. Understand your local market and build products to suit what businesses can afford
Tony from Binjang Radio demonstrated that sponsorship products work best when they’re built around a potent survey-based hyper-local broadcasting platform meeting your specific community’s needs and budgets with high listenership. It involved engineering a consistent formatic program to deliver the goods to listeners.  Marketing affordable products for different budgets (30, 15, 7.5sec) were designed to fit every market segment, particularly small business and large corporates (Corporate Citizen) and locking them in for 12 months increased reliable cash flows with low marketing costs.

Empty heading

The Next Step in Station Fundraising: Identifying and Engaging with Donors Empty heading

5. Philanthropy is relationship-based, not transaction-based
Stephen emphasised that philanthropy is not just fundraising. It’s about building trust, connection and a culture of generosity across your whole station community. Donors respond when communication is personal and relates to the impact of their donations. 

6. Stewardship and consistent communication are key to retention
Identifying donors is only the first step. Retaining them depends on ongoing, thoughtful stewardship. Stephen highlighted the importance of thank-you processes, progress updates, personalised touches, and regular but not overwhelming contact. Donors stay when they feel valued, informed and connected. Avoiding donor fatigue, acknowledging delays honestly, and tailoring communication to donor motivations are all part of sustaining long-term giving and building a reliable donor community.

CBAA ResourcesEmpty heading

• Take a look at our radio website service, which has embedded fundraising features as well as being a cost-effective, feature-rich website solution designed specifically for community radio stations
• Generate revenue from your station’s streams, podcasts, and on-demand content via the Triton Advertising Platform
• Partner with Spots & Space for potential packages
• Visit the Sponsorship section of our Resource Library for more information

Next year’s CBAA Conference will be held in Geelong/Djilang 22-24 October 2026. Sign up to receive our communications to make sure you’re first to know when we release tickets.

This article has been prepared with the assistance of AI for transcription of presentation audio and summarising functions. The article has been reviewed by CBAA staff.

ABC Radio listeners in Perth can look forward to significantly improved audio quality when ABC Radio Perth, ABC NewsRadio and Radio National make the switch from AM transmission to FM in early 2026. 

This follows the outcome of The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) proposal to vary the Perth and Remote Western Australia radio licence area plans.

ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks said the move to FM would deliver a major boost for audiences: “We are excited by this rare opportunity to improve the quality of the ABC’s services to our audiences in Perth.

“We have long been aware of the challenges of AM reception in Perth. With FM, audiences can enjoy richer sound and more reliable broadcasts, ensuring they stay connected to the programs they love.

ABC Director Audio Ben Latimer echoed Mr Marks sentiment: “We are excited by this rare opportunity to fix a long-standing audio quality issue that is unique to the Perth terrain and landscape.

“Perth AM listeners in general, experience some of the worst quality AM audio in the country due to a combination of factors including the city’s sandy soil and signal interference from the electric commuter train network.  

“These new FM licenses will deliver better quality audio and are significantly less expensive; providing better value to taxpayers as demand for AM declines in capital cities. 

“This change reinforces the ABC’s ongoing commitment to our radio services and our ongoing desire to provide the best quality broadcasts for audiences across the country.”  

The ABC has also recently increased the coverage and quality of existing FM stations triple j and ABC Classic by upgrading the FM signal on those frequencies. This upgrade has meant many residents of greater Perth and parts of regional WA can access these stations for the first time while improving the audio quality for existing audiences.  

Mr Latimer said ABC AM services would continue in regional and remote WA areas where services were not prone to interference and the AM signal covered greater distances. 

“ABC AM services in regional and remote areas of Australia remain integral to how the ABC reaches its audience with local and live programming as well as emergency broadcasts. 

Mr Latimer confirmed the move to FM in Perth will not have an impact on the ABC’s commitment to emergency broadcasting or Parliament broadcasting.  

“The ABC is in the fortunate position of having existing high-powered AM transmitters in areas adjacent to Perth to provide Emergency Broadcasting to all areas outside the metropolitan area currently covered by the Perth AM signal. 

“And in Perth, NewsRadio will continue to broadcast Federal Parliament on AM as long as required.”   

The ABC has completed construction work on the FM transmission towers and is now liaising with other broadcasters about changes needed to their FM services, as required by the ACMA.  

The ABC will begin the transition to FM services in early 2026, with AM services ceasing shortly after FM broadcasts are fully operational.

Audiences will hear more about this transition in the new year. 

SCA WA announced a landmark three-year media partnership with Western Australia’s newest NRL franchise, the Perth Bears, marking a significant step in supporting the team’s launch and growth across the state.

Beginning January 1, 2026, SCA will deliver dedicated airtime and promotional support each year across Mix94.5, 92.9 Triple M, 34 regional stations and LiSTNR, building the Perth Bears’ brand presence and deepening their connection with fans across WA. This partnership will play a pivotal role in boosting fan engagement from day one and will extend to drive ticket sales and memberships as the team enters its second and third NRL seasons.

This collaboration represents a strong brand alignment between two organisations committed to serving and energising the Western Australian community. With SCA WA’s extensive broadcast reach and deep connection to WA audiences, and the Perth Bears’ ambition to establish a powerful new sporting identity for the state, the partnership creates a natural platform for shared growth. Both brands prioritise community connection, entertainment and accessibility, qualities that will allow them to amplify local storytelling, elevate fan culture, and rally a statewide supporter base behind WA’s newest elite team.

The partnership will provide SCA WA listeners with the chance to win exclusive access to behind-the-scenes experiences, team merchandise and game day activations.

Remi Barley, SCA General Manager WA said: “Southern Cross Austereo is thrilled to partner with the Perth Bears as their official media partner. This collaboration marks an exciting chapter for rugby league in Western Australia, and we’re proud to play a role in bringing the passion, energy, and stories of the Bears to fans across the state. Together, we’ll amplify the game and create unforgettable experiences for our audience.”

Anthony De Ceglie, Perth Bears CEO said: “The Perth Bears are building more than an elite club, we are here to grow and develop the greatest game of all in WA and this partnership with SCA will play an integral part of this vision.

“As the first NRL team for WA, we are excited to work with SCA to connect with communities right across the state so that we can grow our own talent and provide junior players with a career pathway to professional football.”

Mal Meninga, Perth Bears Head Coach also noted that this partnership provided a significant opportunity to amplify the grassroots rugby league success already here in WA.

“We have a fantastic grassroots foundation in WA, and this partnership allows us to showcase the incredible work of our local teams and drive standards higher, ensuring WA rugby league is a genuine force on the national stage.”

Posted 1h ago1 hours ago

The ABC has appointed Belinda Drew as Head of Marketing. Belinda joins the ABC from Droga5 (part of Accenture Song), where she was the Chief Client Officer ANZ.

Belinda joined The Monkeys, now known as Droga5, in 2020. Her leadership on some on Australia’s most iconic brands contributed to the agency being recognised multiple times as Agency of the Year across D&AD, Spikes Asia, One Show and as the #1 Australian agency at the Cannes Lions.

Prior to this, Belinda spent two decades leading major brands across Australia and North America at the world’s most celebrated creative agencies.

She has been recognised five times in five years in the B&T Women in Media Awards.

Milla McPhee: “This appointment reinforces our commitment to showcasing Australia’s creative excellence, not just in our content, but in our marketing as well. Belinda’s reputation for creative leadership and evidence-based marketing effectiveness will help us deepen the connection between the ABC and our audiences.”

Belinda will commence at the ABC in early 2026.

In 2026 ABC Radio National will offer audiences more of what they love, including additional episodes of the acclaimed Global Roaming program and a refreshed schedule with regular appointment listening blocks for arts and science content.

In the new year, Global Roaming will welcome author and journalist Latika M Bourke and foreign affairs journalist Kylie Morris who will join existing presenters Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald presenting episodes every weekday.

Latika said: “The world order is changing before our eyes and understanding Australia’s place in this turmoil has never been more important.

“Radio National’s expansion of its already unmissable Global Roaming program is much-needed for our times and as The Nightly’s Writer-at-Large based in London, I’m excited and honoured to contribute to helping make sense of our rapidly shifting global order.” 

In 2026, Radio National will double down on its commitment to the arts with a new and live, weekday Radio National Arts Hour airing from 10–11am. The hour will be anchored by an arts presenter from Monday to Thursday, presenting interviews and news focused on visual and performing arts. The program will then lead into a daily specialist arts program covering books, design, food, and film including:

• The Screen Show with Jason di Rosso
• Every Bite with Jonathan Green
• The Book Show with Claire Nichols
• And a new architecture and design program Anthony Burke’s By Design, presented by the much-loved host of ABC TV’s Grand Designs Australia, Grand Transformations, Restoration Australia and Culture By Design.

On Friday, the hour will be dedicated to The Bookshelf hosted by Kate Evans and Cassie McCullagh. 

Following the decisions of presenters Daniel Browning and Michael Cathcart to step away from their roles, ABC Radio National will retire The Art Show and The Stage Show and Arts in 30.

After a wildly successful debut, the network’s ABC Radio National’s Top 100 Books countdown will return for another year. The 2025 Top 100 Books campaign brought together avid and occasional readers alike around the theme of “Top 100 Books of the 21^st Century.” The results of the vote were celebrated over a wonderful two-day live broadcast in October. Next year’s theme will build on the success of year one and will be sure to ignite lots of debate!

For the scientifically inclined, Radio National’s stable of renowned science programming will feature each weekday with 1.30-2pm becoming the daily home for All In The Mind, What the Duck, Science Friction and the Science Show.

On Saturdays, The Science Show continues as a full-hour program, with Robyn Williams welcoming a co-presenter for the first time in the show’s history. After five decades of solo hosting, Robyn will be joined by Belinda Smith, an award-winning science journalist and presenter of Lab Notes.

In January 2026, Australia’s voice of science Dr Karl will co-present a new six-part series, The Challenger Legacy, alongside Walkley-nominated science reporter Fiona Pepper. The series explores the lessons of the 1986 Challenger Space Shuttle disaster, its impact on space exploration, and the big questions that still resonate as NASA prepares to launch astronauts back to the Moon early next year.

“The Challenger disaster was a tragedy, but it also reshaped how we think about engineering and risk. This series takes a deep look at the science behind the fateful mission and asks what NASA – and all of us – have learned from the disaster,” Dr Karl said.

Schedule changes in the new year see ABC Radio National Breakfast with Sally Sara shift to a 6am start. 

News coverage will still begin at 5.30am with a mix of ABC News Daily and highlights from The Radio National Hour. 

The Radio National Hour with Fran Kelly continues at 6pm each weeknight. 

On weekends, The Music Show will move from the morning to afternoons.

The full Radio National schedule for 2026 can be found here.

About Latika M Bourke

Latika M Bourke is The Nightly’s Writer-at-Large in London, specialising in geopolitics. 

She is a moderator and MC and Expert Associate at the Australian National University’s National Security College. 

Latika spent eight years in the Canberra press gallery and has worked for The Sydney Morning Herald, ABC and 2UE.

Latika hosts Latika Takes: The Podcast, whose guests have included Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Virgin co-founder Richard Branson, Retired US General and former CIA Director David Petraeus and more.

She regularly appears on the BBC, Sky UK, Monocle and Times Radio.

About Kylie Morris

Kylie Morris is an award-winning foreign correspondent and broadcaster who holds a Master’s in International Relations from the London School of Economics. She reported on the Trump presidency as Washington correspondent for Britain’s Channel Four News, where she helped break the Cambridge Analytica story, earning BAFTA, Emmy, and Peabody awards. 

Kylie previously hosted More 4 News in London, worked as Asia correspondent, and reported for the BBC from Bangkok, Kabul, and Gaza, covering conflicts in Iraq, Lebanon, and the Palestinian Territories. She began her career with the ABC in Newcastle and reported for Radio National’s Background Briefing.  Most recently, Kylie has been a presenter and producer for The Radio National Hour, alongside Fran Kelly.

Outcomes of our 2025 investigations

Program or issue	Station/licensee	Description	Outcome	Report published
Licence condition and code matters	Tamar FM Inc (7TFM)	Have in place, abide by, and regularly review constitution and key governance policiesEncourage community participation in operations	No breach of Code 2.1(a) of the Community Radio Broadcasting Codes of Practice 2025No breach of Code 2.1(b) of the Community Radio Broadcasting Codes of Practice 2025No breach of paragraph 9(2)(c)(i) of Schedule 2 to the BSA(ref. BI-750)

Hamish & Andy, Australia’s most successful podcast and radio duo, are unveiling their next big audio adventure: a new feed, Hamish & Andy Plus +, now available to stream on LiSTNR.

Hamish Blake said: “Everyone is doing ‘plus’ – Apple TV+, Disney+, 7PLUS – which naturally prompted the question: can we do one better? As it turns out, we can… by adding another plus.”

Hamish & Andy Plus + will house all the complimentary projects from the duo that sit outside the main podcast, giving listeners even more from the record-breaking team. The new podcast feed launches with their brand-new game show Quizmas Time with Hamish & Andy.

Hosted by longtime friend and trivia tragic Michael “Magic Mike (Not A Stripper)” Webb, Quizmas Timeinvites listeners to try and beat Hamish & Andy in a quiz the boys play together.

The series also features the classic “phone a friend” lifeline, with cameo assists Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins, radio presenter Tim Lee, Charlie Pickering (via text message), Hamish’s mum, and Andy’s fiancée Rebecca Harding, who demonstrates her dedication by answering from the tarmac seconds before take-off (yes, Quizmas Time really is that important). 

Hamish & Andy is Australia’s Number 1 podcast, topping the Australian Podcast Ranker a record 30 times and reaching 881,262 monthly listeners*. In a move that’s very in touch with the common man, Quizmas Time arrives just in time for road trips, backyard cricket breaks, and anyone keen to test their trivia skills.

Andy Lee said: “It’s taken months and months of legal research and policy review, but we’re incredibly relieved to have found a loophole in the government-mandated break so we can release our new podcast feed Hamish & Andy Plus +, with Quizmas Time series for listeners to enjoy over summer.”

Sam Cavanagh, Head of Content – LiSTNR Original Podcasts, said: “Hamish & Andy remain Australia’s most successful podcast creators. Their ability to reinvent formats while keeping their trademark humour at the centre is unmatched, and Hamish & Andy Plus + opens the door to even more possibilities. We’re very excited to kick off this new series with Quizmas Time.”

A new Quizmas Time episode drops every Thursday throughout summer in the Hamish & Andy Plus + feed on LiSTNR with the first episode available to stream on LiSTNR now.

Source: *Australian Podcast Ranker Top 200 Podcasts – November 2025

About LiSTNR:

LiSTNR is a curated and personalised, free app offering radio, podcasts, music, and news, creating a new audio destination for all Australians. Featuring a fun and intuitive onboarding process, LiSTNR delivers an audio destination that is built for individual listeners’ routines and preferences. Highly personalised, it provides listeners a new world of audio entertainment, with their own daily feed of audio and easy discovery of new content through curated recommendations. Available across a large array of devices including both iOS and Android, CarPlay and Android Auto, Google Assistant and Alexa and Android TV, LiSTNR enables a fantastic listening experience, anytime and anywhere. Open your Ears to a new world of audio – download the free app today. LiSTNR.com.

Sydney’s top rating radio station 2GB has unveiled its summer line up, ensuring listeners stay informed and entertained over the holiday period. It comes as 2GB prepares for a special end of year celebration at the new Cabravale Club Resort at Canley Vale this Thursday.

The summer line up, taking effect from Monday December 15, 2025, will be:

• Overnights Midnight-5.30am: Phil O’Neil
• Breakfast 5:30am-9.00am: James Willis (Christmas Day – Mark Levy 6am-10am)
• Mornings 9.00am-Midday: Luke Grant
• Afternoons Midday-3pm: Luke Bona / Lucy Zelic
• Drive 3pm-6pm: Trent Nikolic
• Wide World Of Sports 6pm-7pm: Adam Hawse / Mike Pearsall
• Nights 7pm-Midnight: Bill Woods
• Weekends: The Garden Clinic, Jason Morrison and The Two Murrays.

Station Manager, Greg Byrnes, said: “2GB never switches off. We’ve assembled a summer line-up our listeners know, trust, and can rely on to keep the conversation rolling. It’s often a busy and challenging time of year, bushfires have already hit hard, but Sydney knows it can rely on 2GB for up-to-the-minute news and information, along with reassurance and companionship”

“Christmas Day is always a highlight. We’ll be broadcasting carols live on Christmas Eve, followed by Mark Levy’s special Christmas Day program from 6am. We’ll then join the inspiring tradition of Reverend Bill Crews’ Christmas Day lunch live from the Exodus Foundation”

To mark the end of another successful year, 2GB’s daytime presenting team of Ben Fordham, Mark Levy, Michael McLaren and Clinton Maynard will head to Cabravale Club Resort in Canley Vale this Thursday for a special end-of-year broadcast.

Listeners are invited to join Ben and the team at Cabravale Club Resort from 7am. The daylong celebration will conclude with Clinton Maynard’s Sydney Now program at 6pm.

Mr Byrnes says “Before all the holidays begin we want to say thank you. On Thursday, the entire 2GB team will be at the new Cabravale Club Resort for a day of live radio, special guest, and giveaways. It’s our way of thanking all our loyal listeners for making 2GB Sydney’s top-rating radio station for another year. Come and say G’day!”

Curtin University student Kate Cleaver has been named the winner of the prestigious 2025 Brian White Scholarship, announced today by Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA). 

Kate will embark on a four-week paid placement, gaining invaluable experience across the ARN, Nine Radio, NOVA Entertainment, and SCA newsrooms. 

The scholarship recipient was chosen following an intensive workshop hosted by NOVA Entertainment for the four finalists. The workshop was conducted by leading commercial radio news figures, including Fiona Ellis-Jones (ARN), Penny Ghosn (2GB, Nine Radio), Michelle Stephenson (NOVA Entertainment), and Amy Goggins (SCA).  

 Finalists and judges pictured (L to R): Penny Ghosn (2GB, Nine Radio), Scarlett Coppola, Fem Snel, Kate Cleaver, Ella O’Neill, Michelle Stephenson (NOVA Entertainment), Fiona Ellis-Jones (ARN), and Amy Goggins (SCA) 

Lizzie Young, CEO at CRA said: “The Brian White Scholarship, part of our Sound Start program, is our investment in the next generation of Australian commercial radio talent – a medium reaching 15 million* Australians weekly. Kate’s talent stood out, and we’re proud to support her hands-on experience across four major newsrooms.” 

Kate Cleaver, 2025’s Brian White Scholarship recipient said: “I am beyond thrilled to get selected for the Brian White Scholarship, I can’t wait for the opportunity to immerse myself in commercial radio whilst getting to work alongside some of the best in the business.”  

The annual Brian White Scholarship honours the legacy of radio legend Brian White, the first Australian commercial radio cadet journalist. White pioneered the news talk format and had a career spanning three influential decades.

2025 Finalists (L to R): Scarlett Coppola, Kate Cleaver, Fem Snel, Ella O’Neill.  

Entries for the 2026 Brian White Scholarship will open mid next year. The competition is open to recent graduates or students in their final year of a relevant course such as Communications, Media, Journalism, and Radio.  

For more details, visit Sound Start – Audio Careers Hub.  

*Source: Edison Research, Infinite Dial 2025, National Commercial Radio Reach (AM/FM/DAB+ or streaming), P10+