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 across countless genres, PBS amplifies under-represented music and supports the local music community. You can also find us on digital radio, web-streaming, PBS on-demand, via the PBS app for Android and iOS, and at events around town.
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.
Strategic plan 2023 – 2027
PBS launched a new five-year Strategic Plan on August 29, 2023. You can access the Strategic Plan here.
Current Directors
Lauren O’Dwyer: Chair
Lauren brings a unique perspective to her work, with extensive experience in senior roles in the public service, tertiary institutions, politics and the arts. Her understanding of the broader systems the arts exists in - as well as the challenges - lends her to be a trusted source of advice and an accomplished leader in the sector. Lauren is a passionate arts advocate who believes in the power of creativity and the essential contribution of the arts to the common good, whilst also understanding the importance of governance, structure and policy and the realities of the political, social and economic context in which arts organisations and artists exist.
An adaptable and collaborative leader, Lauren is adept at bringing together and building significant partnerships through stakeholder management and her extensive relationship networks. Holding experience in strategic planning, advocacy, policy development and project management, Lauren currently works at Arts Centre Melbourne as their Associate Director of First Nations Foundations. She has previous governance experience as Chair of TheatreWorks St Kilda, on the boards of Monash University and City of Melbourne’s Night Time Economy Advisory Group, and is currently on the Fitzroy Junior Football Club committee. If not at PBS with her kid Hazel and her dog Patti Smith, you’ll probably find Lauren coaching junior footy at Fitzroy Juniors or on the hill at Brunswick Street Oval.
Lauren has served as a director of PBS since November 2017, and has been instrumental in increasing our capital works funding and supporting the move to Collingwood Yards. She has stepped down from her role as Chair of PBS’ Programming Sub-Committee to assume the role of PBS Chair.
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.
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.
Elise Beacom: Director
Elise Beacom began her career as a journalist in print and community radio, before moving into the international development and humanitarian sector with the United Nations and non-governmental organisations. Her work with the UN took her from Copenhagen, Denmark, to the Ebola outbreak response in Sierra Leone and long-term development projects in Afghanistan. After returning to Melbourne, Elise turned her attention to securing government and philanthropic funding for not-for-profits. At Monash University, she facilitated a major campaign to raise $500m from 50,000 donors over 10 years. More recently at Oxfam Australia, Elise led a team of business development professionals who co-designed proposals with country teams and local partners to create impact for people worldwide.
Bringing a people-centred approach and authentic leadership style to every role, Elise’s professional experience spans communications, project and people management, strategy design, donor reporting, proposal development and resource mobilisation. Out of the office, you’ll find her running marathons or podcasting about running marathons.
Become a shareholder of PBS
If you want to get more involved with the station, 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 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 organisations to help 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 Coordinator
Yuri Pavlinov: Production Assistant
Sarah Blaby: Sponsorship & Promotions Manager
Iain Swift: Sponsorship & Promotions Coordinator
Mackenzie Curtis: 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 Director
Alex Sims: Interviews Coordinator
Mara Williams: Volunteer Coordinator & Office Manager
Anastasios Manolopoulos: Broadcast Technologist
Romney Shuttleworth: Accounts