Nine’s talk radio stations and podcasts have taken home eight awards at the 2023 Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) held in Sydney last night, with 4BC Breakfast legend Laurel Edwards inducted into the ACRA Hall of Fame.   

As the reigning queen of the Brisbane Breakfast slot and holding the record as the longest-serving female announcer in commercial radio history for the same shift, Laurel Edwards’ induction into the ACRA Hall of Fame acknowledged her outstanding contribution to Australian radio.    

Of the honour, Edwards said, “I never imagined I’d find myself in this incredible industry, and 30 years later, to be on this dream run, especially alongside my mates Gary and Mark, is truly an honour. 

“Brisbane is where my heart beats, where the community flourishes, and where I’ve discovered immense joy in guiding and connecting with local listeners through life’s highs and lows – from the 4KQ days to our wonderful 4BC audience. Eight-year-old me, with a transistor glued to my ear, would be pretty impressed at where this journey has led. I’m immensely grateful and still a bit in shock.”

Radio titan and fellow ACRA Hall of Fame member, Neil Mitchell was one of the biggest winners of the night, awarded Best News Coverage for his reporting on the Victorian floods, and taking out the prestigious Best Talk Presenter for the eighth time – cementing his position at the top of the radio game after an incredible 34 years hosting 3AW Mornings. 

Mitchell said, “This is a tribute to a superb team and a super active and engaged audience which make the program sparkle. It’s a great honour to be stepping down from daily radio on top.” 

2GB’s Ben Fordham was named Best Current Affairs Presenter for a second time, Amie Meehan as Best News Presenter AM, and Clinton Maynard scooped the Brian White Award for Excellence in Journalism (Metro).

Nine Radio’s premium sports coverage was also recognised on the night, with the Continuous Call Team awarded Best Sports Event Coverage for the 2022 State of Origin Decider and Matt White taking out the Best Podcast Producer (Show) for 9Podcasts’ Stories of Origin, while James Willis was awarded Best Radio Show Producer (Metro). 

Managing Director of Nine Radio, Tom Malone said, “I’m incredibly proud of all our teams across 4BC, 2GB, 3AW and 6PR. They set the standard every day for live and local radio – connecting with listeners and advertisers in a very powerful way. The recent evolution of ratings under GFK 360 shows that the future of streaming is talk radio.”

For further information, please contact:
Caitlin Lynch
Senior Communications Manager, Nine
clynch@nine.com.au 

Sunday, October 15, 2023