Marrickville community station Radio Skid Row 88.9FM is standing proud behind its national award win at the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia’s 2013 Awards gala dinner, held Saturday November 16. Radio Skid Row won for Excellence in Community Broadcasting, which recognises the station’s outstanding commitment to democracy, access, diversity and independence in the community broadcasting sector.

The judging panel comprised sector experts and had received hundreds of entries nationally. Long-time sector supporter and former Communications Minister, the honourable Tony Staley AO, presented the award to the station’s President, Fipe Nasome Howard, in front of nearly 300 peers in the community broadcasting sector.

“This award means a lot to our station,” Ms Howard said. “We have been broadcasting from the inner west for many, many years, striving to support the wonderful vibrant and multi-cultural community we live in here in Sydney’s inner west. “We would not be celebrating our 30th year this year if it was not for the wonderful broadcasters who commit their time and passion to Radio Skid Row. We truly appreciate it.”

Radio Skid Row began with test broadcasts on a landline to Long Bay Jail. It first went to air as a fully licensed station in 1983, broadcasting to the most marginalised in the community. The first broadcasters included members of the Indigenous community, the Communist Party, migrant worker committees, squatters, prison activists and young people. Today Radio Skid Row broadcasts from the Addison Rd Community Centre in 14 languages across 37 programs by some 60 dedicated volunteers. The 2013 CBAA Award’s cash prize will assist greatly in Radio Skid Row’s “$30,000 for 30 years on air” fundraiser.