The 2009 X Awards

The categories that Great Lakes FM were national finalists in are as follows:

• Best in-house production of a station identification
• Best locally produced news
• Best outside broadcast
• Best interview

Great Lakes FM went on to receive the X Award for best interview.

In accepting the Award on behalf of Station Manager Andrew Farr, the CEO of the Southern Community Media Association Mr. Ray Hazen congratulated one and all at Great lakes FM and wished them all the best for the future.

The Awards presentation was part of the National Regional Rural and Sub Metro Broadcasters Conference which took place over three days between 13th and 15th March in Wagga Wagga. The highlight of the conference was the presentation of the Awards at a special gala dinner on Saturday night. Finalist certificates and X Awards were presented by identities such as Phyllis Fong from the Australian Communication and Media Authority, Michelle Bawden from the CBAA and John Martin the President of the Community Broadcasting Foundation.

The X Awards have grown in stature and are now recognised as the National Awards for community broadcasting within Australia.

Station Manager, Andrew Farr said "I'm absolutely thrilled about it. These are National Awards so we were up against community stations from all over Australia. It just goes to prove what I've always believed - that Great Lakes FM is an outstanding community station run by a dedicated and professional group of volunteers that make it a cut above the rest. It's a shame we couldn't be there on the night as it's a bit like the Logie awards for community radio, but our volunteers were on deck at the Nabiac Show and that was a lot more important. That's what Great Lakes FM is all about - community radio for the community. We shall definitely be making our mark at the X Awards again next year - Great Lakes FM is a force to be reckoned with.

The interview which won the Award was with Deni Hines and can be listened to by going to the Mp3 Interviews page.