FIRST NATIONS VOICES CELEBRATED AT NATIONAL COMMUNITY BROADCASTING AWARDS
By Tangiora Hinaki | Geelong, Victoria
First Nations storytelling, Aboriginal land rights and the next generation of community broadcasters have been recognised at the 2026 Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) Awards in Geelong.
Central Australia's CAAMA Radio, Melbourne's 3CR Community Radio and young 8CCC broadcaster Jasper Jaye were among the winners at Saturday night's ceremony, which celebrated excellence across the nation's community broadcasting sector.
CAAMA Radio received the Excellence in Special Events and Outside Broadcasting Award for On Country: CAAMA's 2025 Commemoration Broadcasts.
The station broadcast live from three significant commemorations across Central Australia, including the 50th anniversary of the Gurindji land handback at Kalkarindji, 40 years since the handback of Uluru to Anangu Traditional Owners, and a 25-year community commemoration at Kintore.
Delivered in English, Pitjantjatjara and Pintupi/Luritja, the broadcasts brought stories of Country, culture and Aboriginal history to audiences across the region.
CAAMA representative, Aunty Robyn accepted the award on behalf of the station, acknowledging the young production team behind the broadcasts.
Speaking to Ngaarda Media, she said their achievements demonstrated the importance of young Aboriginal people working alongside communities and families.
"That is the next generation of our young people, working on Country, with family, with community," she said.
"They show the other younger people that you can do anything, and be proud of yourself, and be proud of who you are and where you come from."
Aunty Robyn, who grew up listening to CAAMA before joining the organisation, said the station remained an important part of her life.
"CAAMA as a whole is just one big family, and to me, CAAMA's family. And the community is family."
Melbourne's 3CR Community Radio was also recognised, winning Excellence in Indigenous Content and Engagement for its long-running Beyond the Bars program, which marked 25 years of broadcasting in 2026.
Since 2002, the program has provided a platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victorian prisons to share their experiences, stories, music and poetry.
Broadcast during NAIDOC Week, Beyond the Bars connects people in custody with families and communities beyond prison walls.
This year's broadcasts featured First Nations voices from six Victorian prisons, continuing the program's commitment to ensuring people in custody can speak directly to the wider community.
Meanwhile, young First Nations broadcaster Jasper Jaye from Alice Springs-based 8CCC received the Outstanding Youth Contribution Award.
Jasper began working at the station at 17, initially learning audiovisual production and lighting before taking on responsibilities in administration, technical operations, outside broadcasting and organisational governance.
They also co-host Hear It Queer, a weekly program providing LGBTQIA+ listeners in Central Australia with information about local events, community connections and issues affecting queer people.
Speaking to Ngaarda Media after receiving the award, Jasper said the program was particularly important for people seeking connection in regional communities.
"We just want something on air that people can hear and know where to go and how to meet the people in their community," Jasper said.
Jasper said working on outside broadcasts, including the Desert Harmony Festival in Tennant Creek, had been among the most rewarding parts of their role.
"It's the most satisfying part of the job, connecting with the people."
As a young person involved in station governance, Jasper said they also wanted to help other young people understand how decisions were made and encourage greater participation.
"Being able to be the translator between the most boring government documents in the world and young people who have short attention spans is honestly a privilege," they said.
The three awards highlight the breadth of community broadcasting, from preserving Aboriginal languages and recording significant moments in land rights history to supporting people in custody and creating spaces for young and diverse voices.
For CAAMA's Aunty Robyn, the recognition was also an opportunity to encourage the next generation of Aboriginal broadcasters.
"You get knowledge from our old people, but especially for our young generation, you know what? You can do it," she said.
"Just put your work in it and you'll succeed."
The annual CBAA Awards attracted more than 300 entries across more than 20 categories, recognising the contributions of community broadcasters across Australia.