Melanie Withnall

Melanie Withnall
Alma mater	University of Technology Sydney, AFTRS
Occupation(s)	Journalist, Producer, Manager
Years active	2000 - present

Melanie Withnall is an Australian journalist, producer and manager.

She has been the Managing Director of 2SER FM, Manager of ABC Radio Sydney and Head of News and Information at Southern Cross Austereo. ^[1]

Career

Withnall graduated from a Bachelor of Communications/Bachelor of International Studies at the University of Technology Sydney in 2002, a Graduate Diploma in Commercial Radio Broadcasting at the Australian Film Television and Radio School in 2003 and a Masters of Arts in International Studies (Russian) from the University of Technology Sydney in 2006.

Withnall began her radio career at 2UE as a Producer and then Executive Producer of the Stan Zemanek Program from 2003-2006. ^[2]

Withnall was appointed Senior Producer for Mornings with Deborah Cameron on ABC Radio Sydney from 2008 - 2011.

Withnall was appointed Managing Director of 2SER FM from 2011-18. During this time Withnall lead the development of podcasting for the station, including award winning series like the Think series ^[3] with academics from UTS and Macquarie University.

Withnall was appointed Manager of ABC Radio Sydney from 2018- 2021. ^{[4] [5]}

Withnall was appointed head of News and Information at SCA from 2024. ^{[6] [7]}

Awards

Community Broadcasting Association of Australia Station Leadership Award in 2018 ^[8]

Tony Staley Award for ‘Excellence in Community Broadcasting’ in 2015 ^{[9] [10]}

New York Festivals Radio Award - Best Mornings/Drive programming ^[11]

Amnesty International Media Award - 2017 ^[12]

Other Positions Held

New York Festivals Radio Awards member of Grand Jury, 2018

Community Broadcasting Association of Australia Vice President ^[13]

References

1. "SCA's head of news and information Melanie Withnall resigns". www.mediaweek.com.au. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
2. Info, Radio (2007). "Stan Zemankek Loses Fight". Radio Info.
3. "Sydney community radio station wins big at New York Festivals Radio Awards - Mediaweek". www.mediaweek.com.au. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
4. Writer, Staff (2021-12-09). "Andrew Clark replaces Melanie Withnall as ABC Sydney manager". Radio Today. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
5. "Local radio boss the latest casualty of industry downturn - InDaily". www.indaily.com.au. 2024-07-02. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
6. "SCA's head of news and information Melanie Withnall resigns". www.mediaweek.com.au. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
7. Wilson, Zanda (2021-09-16). "SCA appoints Melanie Withnall to new head of news & information role". Mumbrella. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
8. Writer, Staff (2018-11-11). "Diversity on the dial as 2018 CBAA community radio award winners announced". The Music Network. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
9. Luong, Natalie (2023-05-04). "Vale Tony Staley, 1939-2023". Community Broadcasting Foundation. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
10. corporateName=Commonwealth Parliament; address=Parliament House, Canberra. "Hansard Display". www.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
11. "Winners Gallery: Best Two Way Telephone Talk/Interview Show". NewYorkFestivals Radio Awards. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
12. International, Amnesty (2017-11-01). "Winners of the 2017 Amnesty International Australia Media Awards announced". Amnesty International Australia. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
13. WendyWhalleyAdmin (2018-07-23). "CBAA Vice President Melanie Withnall steps down following ABC Radio Sydney appointment - RadioInfo Australia". RadioInfo Australia. Archived from the original on 2024-09-18. Retrieved 2025-05-05.