Highland FM has been named the Most Outstanding Community Radio Station in Australia (Tony Staley Award) for 2020.
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It was one of the three awards the local radio station picked up at the 2020 Community Broadcasting Association Awards.
Lea Steed's program 100% Home-grown won an award for Contribution to Australian Music - Initiative 2020, while Warren Barnett won the Outstanding Volunteer Contribution for 2020.
Highland FM station manager Adam Stokeld said it was the first awards the station had won in 33 years and all the staff were thrilled.
"It's really exciting. We're all numb," he said.
"It's such a huge award and for our little station to win something like this, we would never even have dreamed of it."
While Covid-19 has had a negative impact on many industries across the country, Mr Stokeld said the pandemic had allowed Highland FM to become "more involved" with the Southern Highlands community.
This year they ran campaigns on mental health, the struggles of the retail sector and the music industry in the Southern Highlands.
Highland FM maintained all programs, broadcasting in-studio throughout Covid-19 restrictions with a skeleton crew.
"We've been more involved in the community this year than we've ever been. We've formed important community relationships," Mr Stokeld said.
Highlands FM is a volunteer organisation and currently has 36 presenters.
In September it underwent a total rebranding, with a new logo, website, signage and decals.
Mr Stokeld said most of the recent technical upgrades and infrastructure improvements had been made possible by its success in winning Community Broadcasting Foundation and community grants.
Mr Stokeld thanked the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia for recognising the hard work of the team at Highland FM as well as the station's sponsors and community partners.
"We pay homage to our listeners who 'tuned in' in greater numbers and supported our community drives," he said.
"Last but not least, credit must go to our volunteers. This has been a year of great change for Highland FM and they have embraced that change and excelled with a team spirit that is unmatched."
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