The 35th Australian Commercial Radio & Audio (ACRA) Awards were held tonight at The Star Sydney. Ben Fordham was crowned Individual Talent of the Year, Jonesy & Amanda won Best On-Air Team (Metro). This marks the fifth time the WSFM stars have won the coveted title, taking home the award in 2012, 2014, 2019, and 2023. 

Ben Fordham, the voice behind 2GB’s Sydney breakfast show, was honoured as Individual Talent of the Year (Metro) in recognition of his outstanding impact on Australian radio. He also took home the Best Talk Presenter (Metro) award for the second consecutive year. 

CRA Chief Executive Officer Lizzie Young praised the winners, saying, “These awards recognise the talent, passion, and creativity that drive the audio industry forward. From impactful local news to engaging entertainment, the ACRA winners are setting the bar for excellence in Australian radio and audio.” 

The prestigious Gudinski Award for Australian Music Champion was presented to Triple M Homegrown with Matty O (SCA). Honouring the late Michael Gudinski, the award celebrates outstanding contributions to Australian music, and Matty O’s dedication to showcasing local talent has made Triple M Homegrown a key platform for artists. 

The podcasting world also celebrated major wins, with Hannah’s Story (9Podcasts, Nine Radio) named Podcast of the Year. The true crime sensation, produced by Jess Lodge, Melissa Downes, and Adam Buncher, has captivated listeners across the country. 

Australia’s love for audio in all forms was also recognised with awards for innovation, including iHeartTrivia (iHeartRadio Team) winning Most Innovative DAB Format and The Reporter True Stories (6PR, Nine Radio) winning Best Podcast by a Radio Show. 

Full list of winners below:

ENTERTAINMENT & TALENT 

BEST ON AIR TEAM (METRO) Jonesy & Amanda; Brendan Jones, Amanda Keller, WSFM, Sydney, NSW, ARN 

BEST ON AIR TEAM (PROVINCIAL) 

Flan, Ali & Spida; Sean Flanagan, Ali Plath, Spida Everitt, 92.5 Triple M Gold Coast, Gold Coast, QLD, SCA 

BEST ON AIR TEAM (COUNTRY) 

Mixx Brekky with Jimmy & Lippi; Matt Lipiarski, James Thwaites; Mixx FM, Colac, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters 

INDIVIDUAL TALENT OF THE YEAR (METRO) 

Ben Fordham; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio 

INDIVIDUAL TALENT OF THE YEAR (PROVINCIAL) 

Katie Woolf; Mix 104.9, Darwin, NT, ARN 

INDIVIDUAL TALENT OF THE YEAR (COUNTRY) 

Courtney McIntyre; Mixx FM, Hamilton, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters 

BEST PROGRAM/CONTENT DIRECTOR (METRO) 

Luke Davis; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio 

BEST PROGRAM/CONTENT DIRECTOR (NON METRO) 

Brendon ‘Whippy’ Dangar; 1029 Hot Tomato, Gold Coast, QLD, ARN 

BEST NETWORKED SHOW 

Kyle & Jackie O Hour of Power; Kyle Sandilands & Jackie Henderson; KIIS Network, ARN 

BEST MUSIC HOST (METRO) 

‘Ugly’ Phil O’Neil; WSFM, Sydney, NSW, ARN 

BEST MUSIC HOST (PROVINCIAL) 

Cam Hilder; i98FM, Wollongong, NSW, WIN Network 

BEST MUSIC HOST (COUNTRY) 

Sarah Grigg; Mixx FM Swan Hill, Swan Hill, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters 

THE BRENNO / BEST NEW TALENT ON AIR – RADIO (METRO) 

Andrew ‘Hayesy’ Hayes; Nova 919, Adelaide, SA, NOVA Entertainment 

THE BRENNO / BEST NEW TALENT ON AIR – RADIO (PROVINCIAL) 

Tubes Taylor; 107.3 Triple M Hobart, Hobart, TAS, SCA 

THE BRENNO / BEST NEW TALENT ON AIR – RADIO (COUNTRY) 

Nicholas Groer; Chilli North East, Launceston, TAS, ARN 

BEST NEW TALENT OFF AIR – RADIO (METRO) 

Ella Kanna; KIIS 1065, Sydney, NSW, ARN 

BEST NEW TALENT OFF AIR – RADIO (NON METRO) 

Leesa Singleton; 864 Triple M Toowoomba/Darling Downs, Toowoomba, QLD, SCA 

STATION OF THE YEAR (METRO) 

2GB; Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio 

STATION OF THE YEAR (NON-METRO) 

1029 Hot Tomato; Gold Coast, QLD, ARN 

BEST COMEDY SEGMENT (NON METRO) 

Hans The Aldi Mole; Sam Archie Arenson, Henry Bretz, Power100, Townsville, QLD, ARN 

BEST COMEDY SEGMENT (METRO) 

Aussie We Didn’t Start The Fire; Ben Harvey, Liam Stapleton, Belle Jackson, Nova 100, Melbourne, VIC, NOVA Entertainment 

SALES & MARKETING 

SALES TEAM OF THE YEAR (NATIONAL) 

Adelaide Direct Sales Team; Adelaide, SA, NOVA Entertainment 

SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR (METRO) 

Isabella Lorimer; Sydney, NSW, ARN 

SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR (NON METRO) 

Leigh Irwin; Hot Tomato Southport, NSW, ARN 

MOST CREATIVE SALES SOLUTION (METRO) 

Zooper Dooper Mission Space Freeze; Cam Busby, Sophie Hudson, Aaron Joseph, Melbourne, VIC, SCA 

MOST CREATIVE SALES SOLUTION (NON METRO) 

Archibald by ALAND; Lauren Montgomery, Alice Worthy, Star 104.5, Central Coast, NSW, NOVA Entertainment 

PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (METRO) 

Kerry Gregory; KIIS Network, Melbourne, VIC, ARN 

PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (NON-METRO) 

Amelia Cutmore; 864 Triple M Toowoomba/Darling Downs, Toowoomba, QLD, SCA 

MOST CREATIVE STATION PROMOTION (METRO) 

Golden Holden; The Christian O’Connell Show, Gold 104.3 Melbourne, VIC, ARN 

MOST CREATIVE STATION PROMOTION (NON METRO) 

Lyndal & Crammy’s Origin or Bust; Lyndal & Crammy, 96.5 Wave FM, Wollongong, NSW, ARN 

MARKETING TEAM OF THE YEAR 

NOVA Entertainment Marketing; National, NOVA Entertainment 

BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN (NATIONAL) 

Smooth FM – Together in Music; NOVA Entertainment Marketing, National, NOVA Entertainment 

PODCASTS & DIGITAL 

PODCAST HOST/S OF THE YEAR (NATIONAL) 

Brittany Hockley & Laura Byrne; Life Uncut, ARN & iHeart, Sydney, NSW, ARN 

BEST PODCAST BY A RADIO SHOW (NATIONAL) 

The Reporter True Stories; 6PR, Perth, WA, Nine Radio 

PODCAST OF THE YEAR (NATIONAL) 

Hannah’s Story; Jess Lodge, Melissa Downes, Adam Buncher, 9Podcasts, VIC, Nine Radio 

BEST NEW TALENT – PODCAST (NATIONAL) 

Joey Watson; LiSTNR, Sydney, NSW, SCA 

MOST INNOVATIVE DAB FORMAT (NATIONAL) 

iHeartTrivia; iHeartRadio Team National, iHeartRadio Team, NSW, ARN 

PRODUCTION 

BEST RADIO SHOW PRODUCER (METRO) 

Liam McGuire; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio 

BEST RADIO SHOW PRODUCER (NON-METRO) 

Monique Cremona; 1029 Hot Tomato, Gold Coast, QLD, ARN 

BEST PODCAST PRODUCER (NATIONAL) 

Jess Lodge; Hannah’s Story, 9Podcasts, Brisbane, QLD, Nine Radio 

BEST IMAGING PRODUCER (METRO) 

David Konsky; Hit Network, Melbourne, VIC, SCA 

BEST IMAGING PRODUCER (NON METRO) 

Dan King; K Rock 95.5, Geelong, VIC, Grant Broadcasters 

DIGITAL TEAM OF THE YEAR 

Jenna Benson, Brendan Jones, Amanda Keller; WSFM Sydney, NSW, ARN 

BEST DIGITAL CONTENT CREATOR 

Jenna Benson; WSFM, Sydney, NSW, ARN 

BEST INNOVATION IN ENGINEERING 

Project Grande; ARN Regional – Brad Hambleton, Greg Hateley, ARN, Canberra, ACT, ARN 

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE (METRO) 

Fisiocrem; Nikki Price, Jamie Lechner, 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio 

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE (NON METRO) 

Ace Building Co; Chloe Burgess-Jones, David Horspool, Hit 101.3 / 107.7 Triple M, Gosford, NSW, SCA 

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN (METRO) 

Unique Homestyle Foods; CREATE – Darren Russell, Eddie Bye, Adelaide, SA, NOVA Entertainment 

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN (NON METRO) 

Avoiding Hackers; Robbie Goodwin, Kelcie Toet, Mark Stevens, TRFM, Traralgon, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters 

TALK, NEWS & SPORT 

BRIAN WHITE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM 

Clinton Maynard; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio 

THE GLENN DANIEL AWARD – BEST NEWS PRESENTER FM – (METRO) 

Patrina Jones; GOLD104.3, Melbourne, VIC, ARN 

THE GLENN DANIEL AWARD – BEST NEWS PRESENTER FM – (NON METRO) 

Matt McDonald; 1029 Hot Tomato, Gold Coast, QLD, ARN 

BEST NEWS PRESENTER AM – (METRO) 

David Armstrong; 3AW, Melbourne, VIC, Nine Radio 

BEST NEWS PRESENTER AM – (NON METRO) 

Emma Clark; 3WM, Horsham, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters 

BEST NEWS EVENT COVERAGE 

Bondi Attacks; Ben Fordham, Mark Levy, Will Bottom, 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio 

BEST LOCAL NEWS TEAM – (COUNTRY) 

Triple M Newcastle; David Dollin, Dan Flegg, Saskia Channing, 102.9 Triple M Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, SCA 

BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PRESENTER – (NATIONAL) 

Ben Fordham; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio 

BEST SPORTS PRESENTER – (METRO) 

David Morrow; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio 

BEST SPORTS PRESENTER (NON-METRO) 

Annabelle Brett; 102.3 Triple M Townsville, Townsville, QLD, SCA 

BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE (METRO) 

2023 NRL Grand Final – Panthers Miracle Comeback; The Continuous Call Team, Ray Hadley, Mark Levy, Darryl Brohman, Mark Riddell, 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio 

BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE (NON-METRO) 

2023 AFL Grand Final; K rock Football Commentary Team, K rock 95.5, Geelong, VIC, Grant Broadcasters 

BEST DOCUMENTARY – AUDIO – (NATIONAL) 

Secrets We Keep – Shame, Lies and Family; Amelia Oberhardt, Ellen Leabeater, Jake Morcom, Nial Fernandes, LiSTNR , Brisbane, QLD, SCA 

BEST COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN (METRO) 

Gifts For Kids; The Christian O’Connell Show, Gold 104.3, Melbourne, VIC ARN 

BEST COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN (PROVINCIAL) 

i98FM Illawarra Convoy; i98FM Illawarra Convoy Team, i98FM, Wollongong, NSW, WIN Network 

BEST COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN (COUNTRY) 

Christmas by the Lake; 3CS & Mixx FM Team, 3CS & Mixx FM, Colac, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters 

BEST TALK PRESENTER (METRO) 

Ben Fordham; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio 

BEST TALK PRESENTER (NON-METRO) 

Katie Woolf; Mix 104.9, Darwin, NT, ARN 

MUSIC 

BEST MUSIC FEATURE 

Taylor Swift Triple M Versions; Andrew Very, David Konsky, Kalun Townsend,104.9 Triple M Sydney, Sydney, NSW, SCA 

THE GUDINSKI – AUSTRALIAN MUSIC CHAMPION 

Triple M Homegrown with Matty O; Matthew O’Gorman, Kalun Townsend, Andrew Very, Shaun Gough, Julia Di Gregorio, 105.1 Triple M Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, SCA 

MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR 

Scott Baker-Smith; Nova Network, Melbourne, VIC, NOVA Entertainment 

SPECIAL 

HALL OF FAME 

Bob Rogers OAM 

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AWARD 

Sound Future; NOVA Entertainment, Sydney, NSW, NOVA Entertainment