PBS 106.7 FM's Helen Jennings wins Queen's Birthday Honours

PBS 106.7 FM's Helen Margaret Jennings has been awarded Queen's Birthday Honours for her service to music, particularly through community radio.

“I’m very honoured to receive this award, both on a personal level and as a community radio volunteer. It’s very gratifying to know that my peers thought enough of my commitment and achievements to nominate me for this highest honour."

"My mother was a highly dedicated volunteer, working and fundraising for several charity organisations for most of her life, including the RVIB (now Vision Australia), for which she received a Life Governor Award. I realised at an early age that I had inherited her passion for getting involved with community work. I’ve always had a love of music, and I soon discovered avenues to get more involved in order to promote the genres of music I love, jazz, blues, and roots music. I joined several music club committees, and I co-founded the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society in 1990. I became aware of PBS in its early days, becoming a member in 1984, an active volunteer the following year, and finally a volunteer announcer in 1987."

"The growth of PBS and community radio is driven by small groups of passionate volunteers, whose enthusiastic infectious love of music has developed a much wider listener base. It’s this passion to keep sharing the music we love that drives myself and my fellow announcers to broadcast week after week, year after year.

"I am very proud to be part of such a strong community, and very grateful for the opportunity to do what I love.” Helen Jennings OAM

Service includes: 

• PBS 106.7FM Community Radio (Melbourne): Host, Roots of Rhythm program, since 1987.
• Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society: Co-Founder, 1990.
• Treasurer and Promotions Officer, 2 years.
• Project Officer, Youth in Blues initiative.
• Judging Panel Member, Blues Challenge, for 17 years and Victoria/Tasmania Blues Awards, 15 years.
• Life Member, 2008.
• Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival: Stage Manager, Blues Stage, 1991-2017. Life Member, 2013.
• Treasurer, Victorian Jazz Club, 15 years and Life Member, 1988.
• Festival Coordinator, Melbourne Jazz Co-Operative, 5 years.
• Judging Panel Member, The Age Music Victoria Genre Awards, for 5 years and the ARIAS Blues Genre, 15 years.

Awards and recognition includes:

• Recipient, Mick Geyer Award, PBS 106.7FM Community Radio, 2015 and Certificate of Appreciation, 2018.
• Recipient, Alan Stafford Award, Victorian Blues Music Awards, 2004.