Goulburn’s own golden tonsils, Billy ‘For Breakfast’ Bradley from radio station Eagle FM, has won a national Best Newcomer On-Air award.
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The award was announced in the country category at the 29th Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) held in Melbourne on Saturday night.
Mr Bradley, whose journey into radio began only two years ago, described his time in Goulburn as the “biggest and best learning curve” of his life.
“To me, I had already won in terms of being nominated,” he said.
“I had no idea I’d pick up the trophy, I’m still surprised.
“When I got the call out on the night, I don’t think I believed it, and the guy next to me was, like, that’s you, get up there.”
Entries were received from 260 metropolitan and regional radio stations across Australia, with more than 200 finalists contesting 33 categories.
The ACRAs are peer judged by radio industry members, and a crowd of some 1000 radio industry attendees saw Bradley’s win at the gala event.
General manager at Capital Radio Network Gail Bowdern said she and the station were “over the moon” at the news of Bradley’s industry success.
“For a young guy to come from the hotel industry and walk straight in, just 16 months ago, with no college for radio, he’s been like a duck to water,” Ms Bowdern said.
“He loves his audience, he loves his job, and he puts in 110 per cent every day.”
For Bradley, there was one moment that stood out to him on the night.
“The most special moment was telling my parents,” he said.
“There were some tears. They’ve been my biggest supporters, besides my friends.
“I still have a long way to go and I’ll dedicate my life to it.”
Eagle FM sister station radio 2GN’s syndicated morning broadcaster (via radio 2GB) Ray Hadley also took home accolades at the ACRAs.
They included Bests in: Talk Presenter, Sports Event Coverage, On-Air Team (Metro AM) with the Continuous Call, and an induction to the Hall of Fame.
Goulburn-born TV and radio personality Kate Ritchie won as a member of the Best On-Air Team (Metro FM) with co-presenters Tim Blackwell and Marty Sheargold, hosts of NOVA’s national drive show since January 2014.
Chief executive officer of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner, said this year’s winners showed the wide appeal of radio, with talk, sport, music, comedy and news well represented. “The diversity of the winners across radio highlights the depth of talent throughout Australia,” Ms Warner said.
