Radio Mansfield named Australia's small station of the year

Tune in locally to the ‘best small radio station’ at Radio Mansfield 99.7FM, with the local voice gaining national recognition after winning the 2026 Small Station of the Year award at the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) Awards. Committee members from Radio Mansfield travelled to Geelong for the CBAA Conference and Gala Awards on 24 October, where the station was one of six finalists in the national category. The conference also included an in memoriam tribute recognising members of the community broadcasting sector who had died during the year. Among those remembered was Keith Rogers, a founding member of Radio Mansfield who passed away this year, adding a particularly poignant note to the occasion for the Mansfield contingent. It is a notable achievement for the community station, which operates as a volunteer-run organisation. Radio Mansfield president Murray Wallace said the award was a well-deserved tribute to everyone involved with the station. “It’s been an amazing journey to get to this point and is testament to the incredible and sustained efforts of all of our volunteers, but most notably our committee of management throughout the year – a group of talented, like-minded individuals who jointly developed, communicated and drove a viable plan to fruition,” he said. “Now we are considered the very best in industry. “It’s a proud time for us – and the Mansfield region in general.” The Small Station of the Year award recognises community broadcasters operating with limited resources and their ability to deliver meaningful outcomes, innovate, strengthen their operations and sustainability, and adapt and collaborate. Radio Mansfield’s submission highlighted its programming, community engagement, outside broadcasting, use of resources, membership and sponsorship growth, financial stability, governance and resilience. A major feature was its performance as an emergency broadcaster during the January 2026 bushfires, when the station operated around the clock providing emergency information to the community. Radio Mansfield was listed as an official emergency broadcaster throughout the Longwood fires, alongside UGFM and ABC. The station’s submission also highlighted the challenges faced by the broader regional broadcasting network during the fires and the importance of maintaining reliable local emergency information. The award also recognised Radio Mansfield’s growth in sponsors, memberships, new programs and livestreaming of community events. Outside broadcasts have increased the station’s presence at local events, supported by upgraded equipment, a new marquee and uniforms. Mr Wallace said he and other Radio Mansfield committee members were excited to continue growing the station, with plenty planned for the future. “The conference provided a melting pot of ideas for the station to consider – among them a technological upgrade from its current analogue equipment to state-of-the-art digital technology,” he said. “We also wish to provide additional value to our various customer groups – our sponsors, our members, our listeners and the community in general. “Finally, we need to focus on bringing new, and hopefully younger, volunteers into the station to future-proof this valuable community asset – our communal voice in the High Country.” Radio Mansfield broadcasts on 99.7FM in Mansfield, 88.7FM in the Tolmie area and 90.1FM in the Woods Point area.