Newmedia - Jocks' Journal

Radio Jobs

Advertise your

'Radio Job Vacancy'

for just $88!

Click on

Radio Jobs

to view the latest

Australian Radio Job vacancies.

Email your job details plus logo to:

Recent 2010 Radio Jobs

* Breakfast Stunt and On Air Position (K Rock Geelong) - Mar 11

* Integration Creative Solutions Manager (Austereo Brisbane) - Mar 10

* Radio Personality (7HOFM Hobart) - Mar 9

* General Manager (4BU/Hitz FM Bundaberg - Mar 6

* National Online Content Manager (dmg Melbourne) - Mar 6

* Marketing Professional (WSFM Sydney) - Feb 26

* Announcer (ZZZ FM Lismore) - Feb 24

* Journalist (Mix 104.9/Hot 100 Darwin) - Feb 23

* Creative Writer/V/O Artist (Media Group - Gold Coast) - Feb 22

* Creative Talent (2CC/2CA Canberra) - Feb 19

* Technician (4BC/4BH Brisbane) - Feb 17

View all Radio Jobs

MAIL ME !

When there's a new job position posted on web we can send you a courtesy email asap.

Click on 'Mail Me' and forward your details.

ABC Radio Jobs

Click on this link for all the details

Purple People Pages

Click on link above for all the details on a variety of Australian radio services including:

* Terry Kerr Voiceovers

* Ben Sorensen Voiceovers

* Allan Miller Fast Voiceovers

* Dan O'Day

* Wayne Mac's Radio Archive

SHOW PREP

PUBLICATIONS

Purchase all publications online through PayPal.

Shopping Cart

The History Of Pop

(Script and audio sample)

The History Of Pop - 1960s

(Script or audio)

The History Of Pop - 1970s

(Script or audio)

The History Of Pop - 1980s

(Script only)

The History Of Pop - 1990s

(Script only)
The History Of Pop - 2000-2007

(Script only)

Top 40 Trivia Vol 1 and 2

1000 Facts of the '60s

1000 Facts of the '70s

1000 Facts of the '80s

1000 Facts of the '90s

2008 Celebrity Birthday Book

Birthday Bulletin Gift Cards

* Personalised cards that includes the name of person (celebrating birthday) plus all the famous people that were born and events that happened on their date of birth. Order on line for $12.95

publishers of

"Australia's longest running
radio industry publication" (Est:1989)

Subscription Rates and Sign Up Forms

Jocks' Journal Sample Copy (PDF)

The new March 2010 edition of

Jocks' Journal is out now.

It includes:

Put On The Spot Interview - Steve Fitton

- Birthday Bulletins (Mar 16-31)

- Radio Retirees

- Fun Files

- Radio Ratings

- Radio Headlines ... 10 Years Ago

plus all the latest radio news and goss

EDITOR'S BITS ...

* April Fool's Day stunts and stories are welcome for our next issue.

Email to: April Fool Stuff

* Anyone know which radio station or group are owned by 'The 7PM Company' ?

* A JJ reader is looking for 2 analogue desks either 8 or 12 channel. Anyone help?

* Wayne Clark writes: "Wonder if anyone would have an aircheck of John Shepherd reading news especially from the 70s. I cut my radio teeth listening to Funtastic 2UW and it would be great to hear a bit of John's smooth voice again."

* Wayne Allen emailed: "Does anyone know his location or email address of Keith Harris, ex-2CC? Possibly living in Qld".

March Radio News

Jim Ball, 2UE midnight-dawn announcer, has resigned effective immediately. 'New Day' weekend host John Kerr filled in this morning (March 12). Pete Graham will be filling in until a new regular host has been appointed.

The great experiment in baby boomer radio, Vega, has finally been put out of its misery. Staff at the ailing FM station in Sydney and Melbourne have been told this afternoon (Mar 11) that Vega is being killed off and replaced with a classic rock format - rather predictably called Classic Rock - from 6am tomorrow. "Vega is over - it no longer exists," said Dan Bradley, DMG Radio Australia's assistant group program manager. Full story. (Photo of launch day in Melbourne.)

Ash Bradnam has left Brisbane's Nova 106.9 breakfast show. It was confirmed by Meshel Laurie on Twitter. She simply replied "Yep" when asked by a Twitterer if this was the case. Only she and Tim Blackwell now appear on the station's website. Bradnam only rejoined the station's breakfast program recently after a hiatus in which he entered rehab following his arrest and subsequent conviction for drink-driving last year. (Source: debritz.net)

The Home Straight with Scott Sattler and Spida Everitt kicks off this Friday (12 March) night from 5:30pm on 30 Southern Cross Media Local Works radio stations across Regional Australia. Scott ‘Satts’ Sattler former NRL great is joined by Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt a 291 game AFL player (St Kilda, Hawthorn, Swans) who has had just as many hair dos and tattoos than games. Each week they are also joined by their alter-ego ‘The Grumpy Old Man’. Southern Cross Media’s National Group Program Director, Rod Brice,told JJ he is looking forward to the new network sports program launching on the Local Works stream and believes it’s something the market has been asking for. ‘It’s exciting to welcome two sporting greats to our network. We’re looking forward to creating an entertaining, light hearted and informative weekly sports program, targeting the very passionate 35+ demographic’, said Brice.

2DAY FM morning announcer Chris Page and former Hi 5 singer Charli Delaney have been named as the new hosts of Austereo's Hot 30 Countdown. They replace Tim Lee and Biggzy.

558 7BU Burnie are celebrating 75 years on air this October. The station is trying to locate former announcers, photos etc. If you can help, contact Jayde Baker - Promotions Co-Ordinator on (03) 64312555.

A JJ reader is seeking a photo of Ashley Malone? He was the Saturday night DJ on 1080 6IX Perth in the 80s'. Can anyone help? (Ed's note: What about you Mr Mac - anything in your archives?)

For the second year in a row, Commercial Radio Australia has called for expressions of interest for people wanting to speak at its national conference on October 15 at Crown in Melbourne. Speakers are being sought to present on issues of relevance to the radio industry - digital technologies, broadcasting trends, programming and content, and opportunities and challenges for the media industry at home and around the world. The deadline for speaker proposals, which will be considered by the conference committee, is Friday 23 April. People interested can access more information and details at: www.commercialradio.com.au

John Singleton and Steve Price may have to rethink the name of their new radio station because ''Melbourne Talk Radio'' is already registered as a business name by Melbourne Observer editor Ash Long. The radio duo will also have to do something about the bad reception on the 1377 frequency, now used by 3MP, because while it has traditionally been crystal clear while travelling up the Nepean Highway to Dromana, it's crackly in the metropolis. As for the station's call sign, Long says he may consider selling the name if the price is right. (The Age)

Former 96fm Perth drive announcer Gavin Miller is currently doing weekend shifts at MIX 94.5.

Aaron Lucas has joined the Fairfax Radio (4BC/4BH) Brisbane news team.

Community station 2SER 107.3 has switched to an all female format for today (Monday March 8) International Women's Day. From 6am to 9pm it's an all female lineup with Judith Lucy as the headline presenter. The 15 hour special will cover a wide range of women's issues and concerns, from international affairs to local arts and music.

John Shepherd, a former 2UW journalist, died on Friday March 5. He had suffered from Parkinson's Disease for many years. His funeral is tomorrow morning (Tuesday) at Urunga (near Coffs Harbour) where he lived. Roger Summerill recalls: "John and I started at 2UW about the same time, in 1968, both as casuals and both of us stayed there for many years." Another work aquaintance was Dave Rogerson. Dave says: "He was a great guy. I also seem to remember he had a daughter who went into journalism. He had a very good voice. He read afternoon news alternatively with Warren Burr when Dave Whitcomb and I were doing afternoons at 2UW."

Kayley Harris has left the 2CH Sydney breakfast show to work in PR for The Wiggles. Mardi Cole has replaced her on brekky with co-host Gareth McCray. Rick Wayde is now on drive.

Tim Arnott has joined 2RE/MAX FM Taree as drive announcer and to work in promotions.

Steve Price has revealed that Melbourne's new talk radio station will be simply Melbourne Talk Radio - MTR 1377. Price will head the breakfast program which will will run for four hours starting at 6am. The station has also confirmed that they have signed Sam Newman, Jason Akermanis, Andrew Bolt and Steve Vizard (see story below). Full story.

Steve Vizard looks set to make a full-time job out of radio. He recently completed a two-week stint filling in for Eddie McGuire on Triple M's breakfast show. It is believed Vizard has signed a deal to join Melbourne's newest talk-back station, a joint venture between John Singleton's Macquarie Radio Network and Pacific Star Network. Full story.

3AW says it is ready to defend its turf as the war for Melbourne's airwaves intensifies. Morning host Neil Mitchell welcomed the challenge led by former colleague and mate Steve Price, who will host Melbourne Talk Radio 1377's breakfast program. "Steve's a good operator and a determined operator. I'll enjoy the competition," Mitchell said. 3AW Drive host Derryn Hinch predicted the new venture was doomed. "3AW listeners are very loyal," he said. (Source: Herald Sun)

After a couple busy months at the station, Light FM Melbourne is saying farewell to some long serving members and welcomes some new members to the team. Dan Veiling (ex Mix 101.1 Melbourne) is now AMD/Afternoons following the departure of Leroy Brown to Life FM in Adelaide. Tim Malone (ex 1way FM in Canberra) joins the team in the new position of Web Development and presenter. Light FM also has had a reshuffle and is pleased to announce the promotion of the following team members: Kel McWilliam MD/Drive replacing the long serving Rob Buckingham who has been with the station since day one, 7 years ago. Clayton Bjelan is now APD/Mornings and Cam Want - Operations Coordinator/Floater.

K-ROCK "shock jock" (his words) Paul 'Chicken' Dyer has boycotted his brekkie show after an on-air dummy spit on Wednesday. Is it a real 'dummy spit' or 'PR' - judge for yourself at ... Full story.

Radio WorkFlow's new "Commercials" software is now available. It links your Sales, Creative, Traffic and Production departments with a paperless software system designed exclusively for the radio industry. More details.

From 4 o'clock this afternoon (Friday) The Hot Country Radio Network, in association with CMC Rocks The Snowys 2010, takes listeners live to Friday Flat in Thredbo for coverage of this year's event. More details.

DMG Radio group ad director Keith Thomas has resigned after 12 years with the group. Glen Dyer comment (Crikey)

The commercial radio industry has recorded the fourth consecutive month of growth in advertising revenue with a rise of nearly 3 per cent in February, according to figures released by Commercial Radio Australia. Figures for the month of February 2010 show growth of 2.74% in the five metropolitan markets to a total of $48.36 million, with the strongest growth in Perth of 6.28%.

From March 22, Nova will start offering access to a new advertising model allowing its clients the flexibility to choose between ad breaks of varying lengths. The network will retain a commitment to short commercial breaks of two ads in peak sessions while at the same time expanding the offering to other sized breaks across the week. More details.

www.agedcareradio.com.au is now attracting a following from residents of more than 2000 Australian and New Zealand aged care facilities as well as 1.1 million private listeners around the world each month. Full story.

A special function was held by 2CH on Monday, 1st March to acknowledge the 40 years of service in the radio ministry by the Rev John Edmondstone OAM. Although retired in 2006, Rev Edmondstone continues in his various programmes on 2CH and the Group Programme Director of the MRN (Macquarie Radio Network), Ian Holland, paid a special tribute to Rev John Edmondstone and his wife, Olive, on this special milestone. Full story.

A man has been sentenced to life in jail for murdering Brisbane Retail Radio announcer Brian Heathcote. A Brisbane Supreme Court jury took just three hours to find 22-year-old Tyson Barden of Buderim on the Sunshine Coast guilty of brutally bashing Heathcote as he walked home from a pub at Nundah on January 21st, 2007. Full story.

4AK in the Toowoomba/Darling Downs market have made some changes to their on air lineup. The Morning Toast from 6am with Ilija Dugandzic began on March 1 and Jim Morrison has moved from local nights to mornings 10am-1pm.

Megan Gale was mightily unimpressed after boyfriend Andy Lee snapped off his two front teeth on an ice skating rink. Full story.

4VL Charleville was off air for 15 hours due to a loss of power due to floods. Station owner Brad Smart told JJ that the station returned to air this morning and only the station group's Hot Country service at St George is still off air. The 4VL studio and building has not been affected by the flood which has resulted in 500 homes being inundated by the flood waters. 4ZR Roma has continued to provide emergency news and has had first hand updates from breakfast announcer Gary Sands who is also a part of the local SES team.

Pippa Williams has joined 2NM/Power FM Muswellbrook as a copywriter and 2NM drive announcer. Bianca Cusenza from 2DAY FM is the station's new promotions wiz. Another newcomer is Aden Grant who works in production and on air at Power. He replaces Ryan Nicholls now at 5MU/Power FM Murray Bridge.

As mentioned in a February news report, 612 ABC Brisbane breakfast producer Majella Marsden has retired. Brett Debritz was there for the occasion and you can check out his photos of Majella and various radio celebs at link. (Also more details in new Jocks' Journal.)

Mackay's Daily Mercury has reported on the death of former 4MK announcer Chris Smith. Full story.

ABC chief Mark Scott has hit back at critics of the public broadcaster. Full story.

Long serving 2SM breakfast announcer Grant Goldman has won a prestigious USA Country Music Award for "International Country Broadcaster of the year". The award is given out every year by the USA Country Music Association and is judged by board members from around the world. Previous Australian winners include John Laws, Ray Hadley, Trevor Smith, Ian Holland, Nick Erby and others. More details.

Joh Switzer is the new General Manager at Zinc Triple Six in Mount Isa, part of the Smart Radio Network. She took over from Angela Owen at the start of February.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse has turned radio commentator in an unprecedented move by an AFL coach. Spruiked as a major coup by SEN 1116, Malthouse has signed to commentate on 13 games, starting with the season-opener between Carlton and Richmond on March 25. Full story.

Dave O'Neil, injured Vega FM radio comedian has been forced to cancel his return to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival this month. The Vega FM breakfast host shattered his right knee and had extensive surgery after an ill-fated radio stunt saw him come off a BMX bike while trying to jump over co-host Ian "Dicko" Dickson in January. Story.

Radio TAB has announced the decision by leading Queensland race caller Wayne Wilson to retire from race broadcasting. Graham Kemp General Manager of the Radio TAB network said that Wayne had decided to stand down from his position as broadcaster and as such ends a 40 year career that has seen him achieve many milestones. David Fowler has now been promoted to the position of chief racing commentator following the announcement of Wilson’s retirement. More details. Courier News story.

At Triple M Melbourne, Dave Higgins, ex-FOX FM mornings, to anchor the Triple M 4-6pm Rush Hour show headed by James Brayshaw and Billy Brownless. Lee Simon is now back on air at Triple M with a new program called Rock of Ages heard 1-2pm weekdays.

Ted Bull, former ABC Perth radio presenter has replaced Bob Maumill on afternoons (12-3pm) at 6PR.

Benni Mihan has been appointed as the new Program Director for Ridge Radio in NSW and has replaced Trent Geddes as from the 1st March. Lee Baker has also joined the station's news team.

Benny Hope is rejoining B-Rock FM Bathurst as brekky announcer on March 29.

February Radio News

Chris Smith, former 4MK Mackay brekky announcer, has died aged 62. Chris died of a heart attack in the early hours of Friday February 26. Chris emailed our office in January this year stating: "Things are not too good with me....I was diagnosed with a tumour on my left kidney,flex in my lungs and swollen lymph glands - so its off to Brisbane next week to try and turn things around...I've never had a sick day in my life." He worked at a number of stations including 4BH Brisbane and 3KZ Melbourne before settling in Mackay. (Editor's note: "Chris and I never did meet in person but for over 20 years chatted over the phone and he always kept me up to date on the radio movements in Mackay. From all reports he was a terrific bloke and will be greatly missed by many in the radio industry.") Tributes.

After 17 years as the voice of ABC Local Radio's Saturday Night Country, one of Australia's most enduring supporters of country music is signing off. On Saturday 27 February John Nutting presented his final SNC, a special edition with new host Felicity Urquhart. More details.

After 32 years in radio, 612 ABC Brisbane breakfast producer Majella Marsden has bowed out of radio and will soon move to the Sunshine Coast with her husband Barry. At her retirement party were some of her former 4BC and B105 colleagues including Wayne Roberts, Peter Dick, Billy J. Smith, Rod Tiley and Donna Lynch.

Dave 'Stretto' Stretton has left WAVE FM Wollongong. He was the morning announcer and did his final shift on Friday February 26. Dave told JJ: "My partner Jane has just been appointed to a manager's position located at Coolangatta Airport starting in mid-March. We will be locating from Wollongong to live on the Gold Coast."

Corey Kay was recently appointed as PD of both MIX 106.3 and 104.7 Canberra. Former 104.7 PD Scotty Masters continues his breakfast role whilst former MIX PD Barry Keohane has moved on.

Well known television and radio personality, Jabba, will take up the position as the C91.3FM Breakfast Show host, kicking off on Wednesday, March 3rd. More details.

Hot 30 Countdown hosts Tim Lee and Carla ‘Biggzy’ Bignasca will leave the Austereo Today Network on Friday 12 March. Lee will take up a position with Fox FM in Melbourne.

''You need to understand that this will be a Melbourne radio station for Melbourne people,'' says 3MP chief executive Barrie Quick, who will soon replace the station's gentle music with a punchy talkback format. (Full story from The Age).

The first 2010 Nielsen metro survey results will be released this morning (Feb 25). The only major change was B105 knocking off NOVA to make No 1 in Brisbane. Perfect timing for B105 as tomorrow (Feb 26) they celebrate their 20th birthday (the day thaey changed from 4BK to B105). The talk stations in the other capitals: 3AW, 2GB, and FIVE aa all remained at No 1. Full details.

Ipswich based radio station River949 will today (February 25) celebrate 20 years of FM radio for Ipswich and surrounds by officially commissioning brand new studio facilities. More details. (Photo on left shows Ashleigh Mac and Guy Dobson on PC showing of the new gear to Bill Hayden in 1990.)

A 2GB sales director who vomited up a storm at Star City casino on February 23 faced staff at the radio station and apologised for his actions. Macquarie Radio Network sources confirmed a very penitent Mark Noakes met with sales staff and acknowledged his behaviour had been out of control. We are informed MRN will redistribute a consumption of alcohol policy to staff. (Source: news.com.au)

Brisbane radio announcer Brian Heathcote was savagely bashed and left to die after chatting up another man's fiancee, a court was told today (Feb 23). Sunshine Coast man Tyson Alfred Barden, 22, pleaded not guilty in a Brisbane Supreme Court to the murder of Retail Radio presenter Heathcote in January 2007. Full story.

The Capital Radio Network has appointed Don Dawkins Group Program Director of their music stations; 6iX Perth – My Digital Perth – Hot Country Perth, 2CA Canberra – Hot Country Canberra, 2GN Goulburn – Eagle FM Goulburn – Hot Country Goulburn, 2XL Snowy Mountains – Snow FM Snowy Mountains - Hot Country Snowy Mountains. Don’s new role is effective immediately and will continue as PD for Canberra’s 2CA.

Christian Argenti from 1116 SEN Melbourne will host the new national talk show on Southern Cross Media's Gold Stream stations. Station PD Brad McNally told JJ: "We had lots of replies to our ad (locally) and from around the globe."

Australian commercial radio stations pay close to $25 million a year in copyright fees – not the $4 million claimed recently in a media release by the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia, CEO of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner said. “Australian radio stations pay copyright fees twice each time a song is played on radio – firstly to the composers and songwriters through the Australian Performing Rights Association (APRA) and then a second fee to the record companies through the PPCA,” Ms Warner said. She added: “We understand only around one third of the copyright fees collected by PPCA are subsequently distributed to the artists. This is all about increasing the profit margins of the multinational record companies at the expense of Australian commercial and public radio stations. Comments by PPCA deliberately misrepresent the significant copyright payments made by commercial radio stations each year. In addition the PPCA omitted to mention its constitutional case also challenges the legislation which limits the price the ABC pays for the recordings it broadcasts. The commercial radio industry is and will continue to be a huge supporter of Australian music with on average one in every four tracks played being Australian".

Brisbane’s digital airwaves has welcomed a new entrant as dmg Radio Australia flicked on the switch to Koffee. Koffee joins NovaNation as one of the first national digital radio stations by dmg Radio Australia. More details.

ACMA has announced the allocation of 3 long-term community broadcasting licences in Bendigo. The successful applicants are: Fresh FM for a higher power (1kW) licence to operate on FM frequency 101.5 MHz to serve the general community interest within the City of Greater Bendigo, with a focus on sport; Gospel Radio for a 150W licence to operate on FM frequency 105.1 MHz to serve the Christian community interest within the City of Bendigo; and Phoenix FM for a 150W licence to operate on FM frequency 106.7 MHz to serve the general community interest within the City of Bendigo.

Angela Julian, SEA FM Mackay breakfast co-host and Program Director, will return to air with co-host Jay Shipston on March 1st. Angela was on maternity leave and gave birth to a son Patrick. Emilie-Jane Palmer has been filling in for Ange over the past few months.

Austereo has reported a flat net profit for the first half of 2009/10, saying the capital city radio ad market will be in gradual recovery over the current half year. Full story.

3BA FM 102.3 is set to play a big part in the changing AFL radio broadcasting rights. The local radio station has signed on to broadcast AFL Live, the new player in AFL radio broadcasting, the brainchild of Craig Hutchison. AFL Live will broadcast 104 games of AFL across the season, specifically for regional and rural listeners. AFL Live has announced a star studded commentary team, including Rex Hunt, which will ensure he will retain his association with 3BA. He will be joined by Sandy Roberts. More details.

Austereo reports that Hamish & Andy have achieved a milestone, with over 600,000 fans now on their official Facebook page. This means the duo are now the most popular Aussie celebrities on the Facebook social networking site.

In what was deemed a "business decision", Michael Price (aka 'Pricey') was recently released from all Triple M Brisbane contracts, effective immediately. This included producing and anchoring Triple M's Saturday morning's sports show Dead Set Legends, and the role as Executive Producer, Anchor and Head commentator of Triple M Football Brisbane. As one of Triple M's AFL backup commentators, Pricey also occasionally called for the Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide markets.

Is Herald Sun columnist Andrew Bolt set to join John Singleton’s new Melbourne talk station and defect from 3AW? Crikey reports that they believe Bolt will soon join fellow Fairfax defector Steve Price at the new venture. Bolt failed to appear on his usual breakfast slot on the Fairfax-owned 3AW yesterday, adding to frenzied speculation he would soon announce the move. (crikey.com.au)

Jamie McDonald has resigned from "Talking Back the Night" on the Macquarie Media Network after 2 years of hosting the show nationally. He is currently working as a session musician and producer . He told JJ that the mid dawn hours and the 1100 km commute from North Brisbane to the Gold Coast every week was the reason for his resignation . Kim Ferguson-Cartwright is currently hosting the show until a full time replacement is announced.

ABC Townsville breakfast announcer Michael Clarke has spoken to many who knew Stuie McInnes and worked with him over the years, and much of that audio is available on this link. McInnes died on Saturday February 13.

The Commercial Radio Australia lobby group will look at putting its case to the Federal Government for a licence fee reduction such as the one soon to be enjoyed by commercial free-to-air TV networks. Full story.

Two Queensland radio personalities died in recent days. Retired ABC Townsville breakfast announcer Stuart McInnes died aged 64 following a long illness. Audio Tribute (courtesy of Peter Jones). Stuey also worked at 4TO in the '70s and '80s. Also former Gold 92.5 Gold Coast announcer Kenn Bacon died on Friday February 12 after battling tonsil cancer. He is best remembered for hosting the Jukebox Saturday Night program. More details.

ACMA is investigating NOVA Adelaide announcer and former Adelaide Crows' footballer Ryan "Fitzy" Fitzgerald over claims he made on-air comments which "vilify" and "incite hatred" against homosexuals. Full story. (The Adelaide Advertiser is running a poll. Was Fitzy's story out of line? Current voting: No - 73.76%, Yes - 26.24%)

The Gold Coast’s breakfast team, SEA FM’s Paul, Moyra and Baggs are back on television from Monday 15 February. As well as doing their normal radio broadcast from 5am until 9am on 90.9 SEA FM, the Paul, Moyra and Baggs show will be simulcast on Southern Cross Ten television from 7am until 8.30am.

Steve Price will be the Program Director of Melbourne's new talk station which will soon replace 3MP. Price will also be heard on either the morning or breakfast program.

Gold Coast Christian community station, 107.3 Life FM will relaunch as Juice 107.3 "Gold Coast Radio-Good Taste", on Tuesday February 23rd. It will be launched by Mayor Ron Clarke, former Olympic runner.

Rachel McLarnon, ex-Power FM Bega, is now on air at 2LM/ZZZ FM Lismore.

Kevin Rudd is taking on the chin criticism he lacks the communication skills to connect with radio talkback listeners. "Fair cop," he told the Seven Network's Sunrise program on Friday when asked to respond to a poll of talkback hosts which showed the prime minister was losing his ability to communicate. While admitting he could always lift his game, Mr Rudd said that winning over talkback listeners had not been his pre-occupation. "We've had our sleeves rolled up for the last 12 months keeping this economy out of recession." (AAP)

John Singleton's Macquarie Radio Network and Pacific Star Network have confirmed they will launch a talk radio station in Melbourne during the next few months. Full story.

Austereo is launching an all new Digital Radio station - Triple M's High Voltage Radio. High Voltage Radio will be dedicated to AC/DC who are about to kick off their Australian tour and will play all AC/DC songs from the big hits to the lesser known tracks, live versions of their songs and archived Triple M interviews. Broadcasting on DAB+ and online at triplem.com.au, High Voltage will be the fourth Digital Radio offering from Austereo and will air for four weeks until the end of AC/DC's national tour.

Sophie Monk has joined the Kyle and Jackie O radio show as its Los Angeles correspondent. (Syd Goss says: "Hmm doesn't Kyle pretty much live there already??")

US radio shock-jock Howard Stern said he would consider replacing Simon Cowell as a judge on the television show "American Idol" if FOX coughed up enough money to pay him. Full story.

Jason McLean has been made redundant from 4AK Toowoomba. (He's looking for another radio opportunity....is a 3 time ACRA winner with 20 years experience on air, copy and promotions. If interested, please call 0431 915 810.)

2GB's Alan Jones is in the wars again with the ABC TV program Media Watch which he has described as 'rubbish'. The latest program focused on the recent visit of Lord Monckton who they described as "Lord of the Airwaves.' Link.

Andrew Johns, former NRL star, is joining Triple M Sydney for the 2010 footy season. Starting on-air in mid-March, he will be a regular guest on the breakfast show The Grill Team joining Gus Worland, Mark Geyer and Stuart MacGill talking about the day’s big news and sport. He’ll also join the Monday Night Football call team and will be a regular on Saturday morning’s Dead Set Legends. Plus he’s also going to be involved in a new Triple M NRL show that will start on Sundays.

Benni Mihan who was most recently at WA FM and the Spirit Network in WA, is now announcing nights for the online Ridge Radio based in Batehaven, NSW as well as continuing his role as Promotions Manager & announcer for 107.3 Juice FM on the Gold Coast.

96 9 Star FM Shepparton now have Ali & Jordan heading their new breakfast show. It's also the first time in a decade that a female has been a part of the station's brekky program.

Ashley Tomlinson has left the GEM FM Inverell breakfast show to pursue a career in Nutritional Medicine.

Steve Price is heading back to Melbourne after eight years in the emerald city. The former 2UE host - first in drivetime, then as John Laws' replacement in mornings - has put his Clifton Gardens home in Mosman on sale and is packing up and moving back to the southern capital to make a challenge against his old employer, Fairfax. Full story.