February Radio News

Colin Cameron, station manager of 6WR "The Voice of the East Kimberley", Western Australia's oldest indigenous radio station, is calling it a day.  Colin, aged 73, is preparing to retire to his home on the Gold Coast by Easter after more than five decades in the business. More details.

Kyle Sandilands has admitted the fallout over an outrageous radio stunt involving a teenage rape victim rocked his entire family. Full story.

Austereo’s Head of Content Craig Bruce has announced changes to the National Austereo Content team.  Dave Cameron will become Head of the Today Network, Jamie Angel will become the Triple M Network Content Director and Sam Cavanagh will take on the role of National Executive Show Producer. More details.

Former Victorian radio announcer Gil Young (born Gilmour Youngberg) has died aged 63.  Bob Harding, former manager of 3WM Horsham and GM of the Ace Radio Network,  reports  that Gil passed away in the Royal Adelaide Hospital on Friday February 5th after a short illness.  Young spent over 10 years at 3WM,  his last radio posting, having previously worked at 3CV Maryborough and 3TR Sale. (More details in new Jocks' Journal.)

Andy Grace has been appointed as the host of Gold 104 Melbourne's new The Night Show. Full story.

Austereo CEO Guy Dobson has announced Adam Lang as the new Director of Operations for the company.  The new role will have Adam overseeing Inventory and Yield to ensure maximisation of revenue opportunities. He will work closely with all functions and supporting Austereo’s drive for continuous improvement as well as supporting Sales on all strategic matters.  Previously Austereo’s National Inventory Manager, Adam was also acting in the role as General Manager in Sydney from August 2009 – Feb 2010. He has over 12 years experience in the Australian music industry including Managing Director at Warner Chappell and following that Commercial Air Time Manager at Network Ten.

2DAYFM's Kyle Sandilands is returning to television as a judge on the Seven Network talent show Australia's Got Talent. Full story.

The Ian MacRae Radio School has launched a new website which allows program directors and content producers to check out some of the fresh, new talent now available to the industry. MacRae says: “I’m constantly impressed by the natural talent we have coming to the course. Then, by the time they’ve been through the ten weeks and twelve lessons, they’re more than microphone ready.”  More details.

On Paul & Rach's show on Triple M they started their Tuesday program with a special segment.  Before the show proper started, Paul (Murray) then had a special tribute to the women of 2GB – “the victims of the groper, unnamed and unknown”. There was then a moment’s silence. 2GB management were naturally not impressed and drive announcer Jason Morrison rang Paul & Rach and even threatened to reveal their mobile numbers. Audio.

Belinda Green has returned to the airwaves again as morning announcer and assistant music director on the Zinc Network out of the Sunshine Coast, after a stint copywriting for the Prime Network. She was formerly  a drive announcer on Sea FM in Townsville, mornings on Sea FM in Cairns, and mornings on Hot FM Network in Bunbury, WA.  In other news, Belinda also just got married and now goes by her married name of Belinda Cotton.

Austereo's Jelli radio, the user controlled radio show, is now up and running. There is also a brand new host to join the Today Network who is hosting the show and it's Sarah Maree Cameron.  According to Tim Arnott: "She absolutely rocked on the show and was loved by everyone  on the www.jelli.net/choosethehits/website chat forum."

Robert Kidd has been appointed as breakfast announcer at Zinc Radio Central Queensland.  Rob's ‘Zinc Morning Zoo’ will commence on March 1.  He replaces Ben Jackson. More details.

 Ron Papps, former race caller and radio announcer, remains in custody at the Port Lincoln Prison after he was charged with attempted murder last Thursday. Papps called horse racing for more than 30 years and was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 1994 for his services to racing. He worked for the ABC, 5DN, 3UZ and FIVEaa. Story. More details.

Hamish Rose is the new General Manager of Prime Radio's 4RO Rockhampton as well as Zinc Radio Gladstone.  Carly Quinn was formerly the GM of Zinc. She left the station in January.

South Australian Logie Award winning Anne 'Willsy' Wills can now be heard on 5MU Murray Bridge with  long time Adelaide radio personality Jeff  'Sundo' Sunderland every Wednesday morning. They are back together again on the airwaves after 5 years with 'Willsy' presenting the segment “Scene It” with all the latest in movies and entertainment news.

Snow FM welcomes former Power FM Nowra announcer Nikki Burroughs to the team, joining Damien Haffenden on breakfast from March 1. Nikki joins Snow FM after a year travelling and working across the US, Canada, New Zealand and South East Asia.  Radio Snowy Mountains has also appointed Jerry Sheers has as Program Director for Snowy Mountains 2XL, and Damien Haffenden has accepted the position of Program Director for Snow FM.

The Helmes Media Solutions radio segment “In the Garden with Helen Placanica” has passed a major milestone – 500 episodes.

Media Clips has announced an expansion of their television and radio monitoring coverage to Sydney.  Previously, they mainly covered material broadcast in Melbourne. They now record and supply clippings from television and radio broadcast in Sydney and Melbourne. More details.

2GB radio broadcaster Chris Smith returned to air this afternoon (Feb 1), promising to give his callers an open line, and they did not disappoint. Full story.

Radio Goulburn Pty Ltd, owner and operator of 1368 2GN and 93.5 Eagle FM today announced the launch of a brand new radio station for the Southern Tablelands, Hot Country Goulburn. Hot Country Goulburn launched at 12 noon today (Feb 1). Steve Swadling, General Manager of Radio Goulburn Pty Ltd said “today is an exciting step forward for our company. Hot Country Goulburn offers unique programming that will cater directly to the Goulburn market.” More details.

Community station 91.3 Sport FM makes its debut on the Perth airwaves  on Tuesday February 2.  The station was granted a fulltime licence on Nov 12 2009.

Sammy Power has moved from the Hot 91 Sunshine Coast drive program to join Al Doblo and Nathan "Nugget" Dell on Zinc 96 breakfast. Her former partner Pete Timbs has returned to Sydney.