LGBTQIA+ radio station JOY receives ten CBAA award nominations

Australia’s LGBTQIA+ community radio station JOY 94.9 has received ten nominations for the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia Awards, and they couldn’t be prouder.

Every day, the team at JOY create engaging and powerful content, bringing the voices and culture of LGBTQIA+ Australians to the community broadcast airwaves.

Proudly self-funded, JOY is one of four organisations worldwide that broadcast our LGBTQIA+ community 24/7.

And this week, they are celebrating their biggest crop of nominations for the highest recognition in community broadcasting excellence: the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia Awards.

“This is one of the strongest showings JOY has had at these awards, and what stands out to me is the spread,” JOY General Manager Jason Heath told QNews.

JOY 94.9 receives ten nominations for the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia Awards
Source: Instagram

“We are nominated across programming, production, sponsorship, fundraising and outside broadcasting, which means this isn’t one standout team carrying the station; it’s the depth of talent and heart across the whole organisation.”

“Every one of these nominations represents people who show up, week after week, to make sure LGBTQIA+ voices and stories are heard and represented properly. That work matters enormously to our community, and seeing it recognised on a national stage is incredibly special.”

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And the nominees are…

Best Program: New – GayFL
Best Program: Talks – Well Well Well
Excellence in Special Events & Outside Broadcasting – Midsumma Pride March and Vision Australia Radio & JOY 94.9 Midsumma Festival collaboration
Excellence in Fundraising – GiveOUT Day 2025
Excellence in Production – Elizabeth Busch
Excellence in Sponsorship – Melbourne United Pride Round Campaign
Outstanding Presenter – Triana Butler
The Troy Garner Award – Best Program: Sport – GayFL
Outstanding Volunteer Contribution – Michael Polh
Outstanding Youth Contribution – Poppy Ruyg

Chris and Brendan from GAYFL with former Brisbane Lions player, Leigh ‘Rizza’ Ryswyk
Image: Supplied

A milestone of nine years

Every day, the team at JOY create content that elevates and celebrates our LGBTQIA+ community. Seeing the amazing and hard work of these volunteers celebrated on a national scale is truly special.

Michael Polh, who is nominated for Outstanding Volunteer Contribution, passed a significant milestone this week.

He has held the position of Music Director at JOY for nine years, the longest stint of any Music Director in the station’s history.

“Nine years as Music Director is not something you see often in community radio, where turnover in specialist roles is high because most people are volunteering around paid work and other commitments,” Heath said.

“Michael has held the sound of this station together for almost a decade, and that kind of continuity is genuinely rare. He’s also carrying on a long tradition, following in the footsteps of Chris Jameson and Damian Nicholas before him, and it’s this line of dedicated volunteers that has kept JOY‘s music identity so distinct and consistent over the years.”

Chris Jameson held the role for eight years before him, and Damian Nicholas for seven years before that. That hard work and dedication help shape JOY’s sound every single day.

Michael also babblePOP! and JOY Eurovision on the airwaves.

Got a pitch for a radio show?

Expressions of Interest are now open for JOY’s Summer Season over 2026/27.

That idea for a radio show or podcast you’ve had in the back of your head could soon become a reality.

“This is one of my favourite times of year at JOY because it’s when we hand the microphone to people who may have never had a regular show before,” Heath said.

“I started at JOY by putting my hand up and giving it a go, and the summer grid exists so other people can do exactly that.”

“It matters especially for our community, because it’s often the first chance for new LGBTQIA+ voices to get on air and tell their own stories, and its low stakes and supported enough that people genuinely give it a go.

“Some of our strongest ongoing presenters got their start exactly this way.”