Since 1979, community broadcaster PBS 106.7FM has been an integral player in Melbourne’s diverse music community – with more than 80 specialist music programs ranging from soul to garage to country to jazz – PBS is dedicated to nurturing, inspiring and championing Melbourne’s diverse music community. You can also find us on Digital Radio, web-streaming, PBS-on-demand and at events around town like Soul A-Go-Go, Rock-A-Bye-Baby music sessions and many others…
We strive to achieve:
A thriving, diverse music scene, particularly for under-represented music
Content with integrity and quality
An engaged and involved music community
Sustainable operations
PBS matters because we support musicians and artists from the ground up. We are passionately committed to seeking out, discovering and presenting diverse and independent music.
Our announcers are music-loving folk who volunteer their energy, music knowledge and vast record collections to prepare in-depth, specialist, music-centric programs. Every announcer has complete autonomy over what they play. Their programs are a reflection of their ever-evolving musical tastes, enthusiasms and discoveries – a musical journey which is shared intimately with the audience.
The station is run by more than 400 dedicated volunteers and a small team of professional staff.
With an estimated 295,000 weekly listeners across Melbourne, PBS depends on its loyal community to support the station’s activities through financial memberships and donations as well as sponsorship. This allows us to pursue our shared vision with integrity and independence.
A Co-operative Organisation
Progressive Broadcasting Service Co-operative Limited (PBS) was first established and registered as a co-operative limited company in 1979, and it remains so today. Download PBS Constitution here:
According to Consumer Affairs Victoria: 'A co-operative is an organisation concerned with providing for the needs of its members. The structure enables the individual member to benefit from economies of scale through the combined purchasing, distribution or marketing power or influence of the group. Members generally share investment and operational risks, benefits gained, or losses incurred. Cooperatives are traditionally based on values of:
self-help
self-responsibility
democracy
equality
equity; and
solidarity'
Active Members
As a co-operative limited bound by the Victorian Co-operatives Act, PBS requires shareholders known as ‘Active Members’.
Active Members of the PBS co-operative establish their active membership through shareholding, by purchasing a minimum of $50 of non-profit generating shares, on top of the annual subscription / membership fee. As a not-for-profit organisation, these shares carry no dividend payment.
Becoming an Active Member is one way to contribute to decision-making at PBS. Active Members are entitled to elect Members to the Board of Directors, stand for election to the Board, and vote on any matters put to the Annual General Meeting,
PBS reviews its membership of Active Members at least annually. PBS promotes and encourages Active Membership to those who demonstrate a regular commitment to the station’s mission such as volunteers, Announcers and involved subscribers / members.
The Board of Directors
PBS is governed by its Board of Directors. The role of the Board is to address and develop the strategic objectives for the General Manager and to set the policies under which the General Manager and the company must operate. The Board does not direct management on operational decisions.
All seven members of the Board of Directors must be Active Members as defined above and are elected by Active Members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Board members are appointed for a two-year term. The Chairperson is elected at the first Board meeting following the AGM. A number of Board appointments are notated with an * as having 'preferred experience'.
Each member holds one vote on matters before the group. In the event of a tied vote, the Chairperson will cast the deciding vote.
Information about PBS Annual General Meetings can be found here.
Current Directors
Jurgen Schaub: Chair
Qualifications: Hands on
Experience: Over 18 years of technology experience and nine years volunteering at PBS. Jurgen is part of the PBS online development team. He joined the PBS Board November 2010.
Lucy Tehan: Secretary
Qualifications: Juris Doctor, B.A. Arts – Melbourne University, B.A. Business/Marketing in Music Industry (yrs 1&2)
Experience: I am an experienced employment and industrial relations lawyer, currently working as an Employment Relations Specialist. I have worked in both private practice (Lawyer/Associate at Minter Ellison and Senior Associate at Allens) and in-house roles at large organisations (Coles and Australia Post). In making this application, I seek to bring a range of legal expertise to the Board. I advise on a range of employment and IR matters, industrial action, and organisational change. My work involves: Designing and leading compliance activities and investigations; Providing legal, regulatory and governance advice on strategic enterprise initiatives and operational change; Monitoring regulatory developments; developing and implementing policy change and compliance programs in response to legislative reform; Managing litigation across various jurisdictions, and Drafting and advising on contracts of employment, executive arrangements, and independent contractor arrangements. In addition, I have experience providing advice and acting in litigious matters involving OHS, anti-discrimination, privacy, and corporations’ laws. I also have experience acting for not-for-profit organisations and registered charities on a pro bono basis as a Senior Associate at Allens and lawyer/Associate at Minter Ellison. Prior to my legal career I worked in the local music community including as a venue booker for Rob Roy, Pony, and Bar Open (2003-2006). In 2006 I worked as an Agent Assistant to several agents at International Talent Booking (UK). Lucy joined the PBS Board in November 2022.
Kieran Rivett: Treasurer
Qualifications: B.Commerce, Melbourne University; Qualified CPA 25 years; CFO and COO; Director of over 15 companies across 10 countries; PWC Alumni. Experience: An ingrained part of Kieran’s experience is an extensive background working in creative industries including music. A common thread in Kieran’s career is bringing subtle commercial & financial reflection to these creative environments without changing the underlying culture that makes it so special. Ultimately whether it be financial, commercial or even governance, helping create a trusted and safe atmosphere can assist driving good decision making at both an operational and strategic level. Global CFO Aesop – 13 years; Sony Music Publishing London – 6 years; PwC – 2 years. Kieran joined the PBS Board February 2022.
Lauren O’Dwyer: PPG Chair
Qualifications: Studied Arts/Science at Monash University; Board member of Monash University, 2010; AICD Finance for Directors, 2011; Cert 1 in Social Work, VU, 2011; Cert 1 in Production/Live Performance OH&S; Prince2 Project Management Practitioner.
Experience: Lauren O’Dwyer is the Associate Director of First Nations Foundations at Arts Centre Melbourne. Lauren is a strategy & advocacy specialist, having spent many years in the creative industries. Prior to her time in the arts sector, Lauren worked as an advisor in the Victorian Government, predominantly advising on Creative Industries policy and funding, and LGBTI Affairs. At Arts Centre Melbourne, Lauren’s experience in strategic planning, governance and project management sees her providing leadership and assisting delivery of strategic priorities and projects including the Melbourne Arts Precinct, and setting the foundations for Aboriginal cultural safety. She is also a member of the Deakin University Arts and Cultural Management Advisory Board, current Chair of TheatreWorks in St Kilda, and coach of the Fitzroy Junior Footy Club Under 10's. Lauren's experience across Government, knowledge of music networks, and strong ability to form partnerships and build community across sectors has seen her well placed to help the station grow in its new home. In her spare time, you can find Lauren at the Tote front bar, or at home practicing her harmonica with her daughter Hazel. Lauren has served as a director of PBS since November 2017, and was Chair of the CAP Project Committee, and is the current Chair of the PPG.
Fiona Mary McNally: Director
Qualifications: Senior Executive Integrity and Ethical, Leadership Program Graduate 2021 - Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) – 2021 Victorian Government.
Experience: Current Director Change and Transformation Arts Centre Melbourne; Senior Positions in Victorian Government; Departments managing people capability and HR functions Advisory, Talent management, Covid response surge recruitment, employment graduate programs, Diversity and Inclusion committees. Audit lead on sensitive Employee relation data projects; Risk and Governance management responsibilities across people and technology in government and corporate sectors; Corporate experience Senior experience in Banking and Finance and Government, Consulting, Leadership and people management, Enterprise wide transformation, from strategy to implementation across technology, people and process; Committee Lead on national cybersecurity data breach response talent systems at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank; Committee Secretary on IT Change Committee Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, and Sub committee volunteer GM search PBS. Community Radio: Volunteer Career coach and mentor across various industries from graduate to executive. Fiona joined the PBS Board in November 2022 after serving for 4 months in the General Manager Search Board Subcommittee.
Claire Stuchbery: Director
Qualifications: University of Melbourne - Masters of Public Policy & Management; Australian Institute of Company Directors - Company Directors Course (GAICD); Swinburne University - Bachelor of Media and Communications; Box Hill Institute - Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (to become a radio trainer); and NSW Tafe - Aboriginal Cultural Education.
Experience: Claire has been involved in community broadcasting since 1992 as a volunteer presenter on 3APL, 3SSR and PBS FM. She has contributed to PBS as a volunteer, presenter, staff member (Sponsorship Manager) and Board member (2010-2013), varying roles since 1996. She is a lifetime member and currently presents Firewater on Tuesdays from 5-7pm. Claire’s professional career has centered around independent media, including the following roles: Policy & Stakeholder Engagement at First Nations Media Australia, the peak body for the First Nations media and communications industry (current); Trainer at the Community Media Training Organisation (current); Grants Manager at Community Broadcasting Foundation, the funding body for the community media sector (2013-2018); Director of 4PeopleMedia, a sponsorship sales agency that represented 135 community radio stations (2006-2013); Sales & Editorial support at Furst Media, primarily working on Beat Magazine and associated music publications (early 2000s). Claire joined the PBS Board February 2022, previously on the Board between 2010 and 2013.
Evonne Grosso: Director
Qualifications: Past PBS Volunteer, graveyard shift announcer and Board Member (St. Kilda & Fitzroy St). Australian Institute of Company Directors – Company Directors Course (2020). Australasian Investor Relations Association – ESG for Investor Relations (2019). Surf Lifesaving Victoria – Enterprise Trainer (2018). Australasian Investor Relations Association – Diploma of Investor Relations (2017). Securities Institute of Australia – Certificate in Financial Markets (1996). James Cook University – Bachelor of Visual Arts (Communications Major) (1992).
Experience: As an Investor Relations & Corporate Affairs professional – with the added bonus of ESG reporting analysis and sustainability engagement, Evonne has enjoyed working for boutique businesses and large national and multinational mining, oil gas, engineering, exploration companies, fund managers, insurance companies and industry superannuation funds to progress their business strategy and engage their audiences and broader community. In the capacity of company spokesperson, over several turbulent market conditions, she has been able to collaborate with executive leaders and colleagues to achieve positive results for in the areas of brand awareness, reputation, increasing sales, bottom line results and membership acquisition and retention. Since 1995, over a collective 8 year period, Evonne has held board and advisory positions: Dolphin Research Institute (February 2020 – present), ADVISORY BOARD: Life Saving Victoria – Sports & Aquatic Council; Sports Development Sub-committee (2020 – present); ADVISORY BOARD: Melbourne University & Warmun Arts Centre (2013 – present). Previous: Melbourne Grammar School Indigenous Program (2013 to 2015); One-In-Five Board Member (2012 to 2014); HSBC Superannuation Trustee Board Member (1995 to 1997). Evonne joined the PBS Board Feb 2021, having been on the Board previously between 2006 and 2006. She is the current Chair of the Fundraising committee.
Become a shareholder of PBS
If you want to get more involved with the station, then why not consider becoming a shareholder of Progressive Broadcasting Service Co-operative Limited (PBS is the owner and operator of the broadcast license 106.7FM and Digital Radio). Shareholding costs $50 and is kept ‘activate’ by having a current (financial) membership. Active Shareholding allows you to vote at the Annual General Meeting, which is held end of November. You may also choose to stand for the Board. Please contact to receive an application form or if you have any questions.
Our Community
PBS is a not-for-profit community radio station based in Melbourne, and largely run by volunteers. At PBS, everyone is committed to the cause of little-heard music which deserves more attention – in all of its diversity. However, the way we support this cause is far more complex than being just a glorified jukebox that plays music we all like.
One way to think about the music scene, is as a highly complex eco-system, with each component connected to, supporting and nurturing the other. With this in mind, PBS collaborates with other organizations to fulfill its vision.
Corporate Supporters (pro bono work)
Arnold Bloch Leibler – Lawyers & Advisors
SMS Central
Community partner organisations
Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society
Multicultural Arts Victoria
The Gertrude Association
Reclink (annual Community Cup footy and music match)
Blues Music Victoria
Government/Council partners
City of Yarra
City of Melbourne
Community Broadcasting Foundation
PBS is a member of
Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
Community Broadcasting Association of Victoria
Music Victoria
Read PBS Policies and Procedures here.
PBS Staff:
Kristen Paterson: General Manager
Owen McKern: Program Manager
Paul Maybury: Production Manager
Alicia Saye: Production Assistant
Yuri Pavlinov: Production Assistant
Sarah Blaby: Sponsorship & Promotions Manager
Shelley McNicholl: Sponsorship & Promotions Coordinator
Iain Swift: Sponsorship & Promotions Coordinator
Kurt Eckardt: Marketing & Events Manager
Zoe Monk: Marketing & Events Coordinator
Isobel Buckley: Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Kayley Langdon: Membership Coordinator
Firas Massouh: Music & Interviews Coordinator
Alex Sims: Interviews Coordinator
Mara Williams: Volunteer Coordinator & Office Manager
Anastasios Manolopoulos: Broadcast Technologist
Romney Shuttleworth: Accounts