CBAA’s 2021 AGM – community radio focuses on community and a sense of belonging

Phillip Randall, CBAA’s President, opened the 2021 CBAA AGM earlier this month by reflecting on the community radio sector from where it started and where it is today, focusing on the last 18 months. He commended stations for stepping up in one of the most difficult times the country has seen.

“The last 18 months have been a testament also to the resilience of the sector. For many stations, reliable income sources disappeared overnight and volunteer access to office and studio facilities was restricted. But stations rose to the challenge, innovating and adapting to changed circumstances with remote broadcasting and program production and adjusting to the often-reduced income that Covid brought. This is a credit to your commitment to your stations and your communities.”  

New technology like social media has forever changed the media landscape, challenging traditional media as well as the community radio sector.

“I believe however our path to success lies in the very nature of who we are. Community radio is about ….community. We provide a place where people of like minds can come together to do something important for the wider good. In doing so we create a sense of belonging that people are looking for in a world that is often so alienating. As a sector though, we’ll need to adopt new ways of thinking, new approaches to how we operate our stations, and embrace new technology, new forms of content and new forms of distribution, whilst not letting go of the reason we exist. If we do this, I’m confident we will have a bright future.”

Thank you to Phillip Randall for the 13 years he served on the CBAA board, serving the last six of those years as President. Congratulations to Jacquie Riddell who has been elected President. The 2021 board appointments include Gavin Brett from the Christian Media Hub in the riverina region of NSW, who was elected as an ordinary Board member, and joins continuing Board members Peter Rohweder, Hannah Rogers, Anne Frankenberg, and Quinn Glasson.

Maddy Macquine continues in her role as Women and Gender Non-Conforming People’s Representative, as does Youth Representative Gabrielle Andolfatto.

Thank you to outgoing Board member Emma Hart for her support and contribution to the CBAA over the few years.

CBAA’s CEO, Jon Bisset, acknowledged that this year has been another difficult year following on from last year.

"Once again CBAA and community radio stations across the country have creatively responded, pulled together and collaborated."

He was pleased with Government support and understanding of our sector and says CBAA will continue to build on its strong relationships with the ACMA and the Department.

The full details of the last year are outlined in the CBAA Annual Review 2020/21.