WHO WE ARE
Aussie Grown Radio is a faith-based organisation with a hear and mission for service and support to the Australian christian music industry, specifically the artists creating music.
OUR WHY
Aussie Grown Radio exists because we believe that music connects the world. We want to affect change in the world by playing music created by artists who champion the Christian values of love, faith, hope, joy, peace, grace and service.
Like you, we love to hear Aussie artists on the airwaves. We are thrilled when new and emerging artists get their foot in the door and are succesful in getting their music played on air.
Read more here: Humble Beginnings – About Us
MUSIC SELECTION
WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN BAND
Quite simply, there is no such thing! It IS possible to have ‘a band of Christians’ where each individual in the band professes a Christian Faith.
The same can be said for an individual artist: yes they can hold a Christian Faith but that does not automatically make them a “Christian Artist.”
HOW IS MUSIC SELECTED FOR AGATN?
Our Artists come from many varied backgrounds. The ONE common denominator is Jesus.
At Aussie Grown Radio, we use our Statement of Faith to guide us in all decisions regarding the songs and artists we include in our Aussie Grown Artist ‘family’. Any musician who privately or openly professes a Christian Faith and conducts themselves in accordance with our Statement of Faith are added to our Aussie Grown Artist Directory, irrespective of their field of operation.
A band comprised of individual Christians may or may not write songs with a specific Christian theme, that’s OK. We know and take assurance that, because of their Christian faith, they won’t be pushing boundaries beyond breaking point.
WHERE IS THE LINE DRAWN?
Good question! The simple answer is – Scripture!! We have made our position clear in our Statement of Faith.
Unfortunately, as no-one is perfect in this broken world, we must take each individual artist / band as a unique decision.
Some of these are easy and require very little investigation to confirm. Others are a little more difficult and more research and discernment is needed to establish an individual truth. And, the review process for all is continual however our decision for inclusion or exclusion is final.
OUR TEAM
Centred on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland where most of our team is based, AGR also extends to other parts of Australia with team members based in Gympie & Brisbane, Queensland, Sunbury, Victoria and Adelaide, SA. Team meetings are fun!
Hank David – CEO & Chairman (above, top right)
Usually, if you want a career in radio, you start with a radio school, then head bush for a few years to hone your craft before finding a position close to or in the city. Then perhaps, a move into production or another field. But not for Hank. He started at the top, co-producing a Christian music show for 4MMM in Brisbane, which ran for nearly 9 years, during which time he went to the prestigious AirTV school. With over 21 years associated with radio and a lifetime love of music in general and Aussie music in particular, Hank has a wealth of knowledge to bring to Aussie Grown. There may be ‘snow on the roof but the fireplace is hot, hot, hot’ and Hank loves nothing more than checking out local bands, even driving the 100kms to Brisbane (each way) to check out a show.
“I love connecting with bands & artists and Facebook is a perfect medium for doing that. I consider each connection a ‘real friend’ and enjoy seeing their posts, both personal & ‘professional’ and respond accordingly.” Hank is also one of the few people connected to the industry whose knowledge of bands and artists is comprehensive and he has been known to be called “a walking Aussie Christians music encyclopaedia!” or more recently the “Molly Meldrum” of Christian Music.”
Coming to Aussie Grown from a few years as Drive and Afternoon host on Sunshine Coast station 106five, Hank is excited about the potential of Aussie Grown to support and grow Australian Christian music, not just around the country, but ultimately “to the world.” (spoken like Buzz Lightyear)
“When the show aired on 106five we had the ability to live-stream through the internet and we established a strong listener base across the nation with feedback also coming from Aussies based overseas. With syndication of the show nationwide our vision is to eventually have Aussie Christians music streaming online, 24×7 !”
“Aussie Christians music is exciting: it’s alive, it’s full of vibrant, spirit-filled people whose love of their Lord and their craft can capture you wherever you may be listening – via computer, in Church, at a pub, club or festival with like minded fans. I love it!”
Nellie Hanckel – Vice Chair, ‘Treasurer’ & Office Manager (above, bottom right)
Nellie has been Hank’s “right-hand woman” for over 30 years and has supported his passion throughout. She is the business woman of the team, taking care of finances and various other business matters. She has taken on the role of Website Administrator which is keeping her extremely busy plus she does the weekly mail-out of the programme to all our host stations. Hank quite readily admits he’d be lost without her and together, they make a pretty good team. Nellie has a full-time job as well and uses her amazing organisational skills to allocate time to both her full time work and Aussie Grown.
Steve Coulson – Board Secretary (above, bottom left)
An Armed Services Veteran, Steve brings a wealth of knowledge of computer skills to the team, specifically in data entry and formula. He married into the job when he took on Husband duties with our Julie.
Raymond Bray – Sponsorship, Fundraising & ‘OB’ Sound (below, left)
Based in Gympie, Raymond is a successful businessman, a highly proficient sound technician, broadcaster and communicator. A seasoned announcer, he is the past GM of his local radio station in Gympie and recently took on the GM role at Rhema FM Wide Bay. He loves meeting and chatting with people, learning about what makes them who they are.
Frank Rasenberger – Chaplain, Music Consultant & Researcher (below, 2nd left)
Frank is a Pastor in the Lutheran Church of Australia, based at Melbourne North West parish that takes in the congregations of Sunbury, Melton & St.Albans. Formerly based in Gympie, it was there he began the ministry of Live At The Chapel which has become Live At the Chapel Australasia with performance centres in Sunbury, Melton, Bendigo, Gympie, Nambour and Belrose in Sydney. With a love of ‘Chirstian’ music and specifically music of Aussie Christians, he is a natural to fit into the AGR team as Chaplain and Music Consultant & Researcher and also runs a number of websites and complimentary FB pages on music for broadcasting.
Julie Coulson – Business Consultant (above, bottom middle)
Julie is another ex-radio ‘star’ from 99.9 LiveFM, Townsville and 106five, with experience in IT and administration. She’s a whip-cracker, amazing with ideas & organizing and also, like Nellie, works full-time in her own business. She has provided invaluable support to the team with her IT expertise and amazing visionary thinking.
Kirsten Croser (below, 2nd right)
Leading the way with our SA Aussie Grown Artists ‘Chapter’, Kir is a mother of 6, wife of Greg, sister-in-law of Jenny and a member of the band Bloom and an amazingly driven woman. Kir was the main instigator and ganized the SA AG Artists Showcase in 2019 and is the driving force behind the planning for the August 2020 Showcase. Her love of music, meeting people, making connections and promotions & marketing is almost second to none and the inspiration she brings to the team is invaluable.
Jenny Hood (below 2nd row left)
Another leader of our SA Aussie Grown Artists ‘Chapter’, Jenny is a mother of 3, wife of Steve, sister-in-law of Kir, a member of the band Bloom and another amazingly woman. Jenny has been a key spokesperson at our SA Aussie Grown events and is looking to bring more of her teaching skills to facilitating and encouraging others in their gifting, expecially the music ministry.
Penny Butler (above, top middle)
With a career that goes back to the late 50s early 60s British pop scene, Penny has literally seen it all AND met quite a few of the most famous people in music along the way. She is the consummate professional, especially in interviewing, and always gives of her best. Her spiritual revelations of God’s will, direction and encouragement for AGR is inspired and we would be lost without her.
Connie Prill (above, top left)
Connie loves music! She is always one of the first to put her hand up to go to live gigs and is the most energetic on the dancefloor. A consummate host, she has welcomed us into her home for many meetings and spends lots of time looking after us as well as contributing her quids worth. When she has something to say, you’d better listen ‘cos it’s always well worth hearing…even when it’s “Oh, stop it!”
Melissa Humphreys (below, right)
The youngest member of the team, Melissa is also THE most energetic, especially in mind. Her ideas are not just ‘out there’ but are always worth dealing onto the table. Melissa is another that LOVES people and making connections, something she does better than anyone I know. We love her SO much that Nellie & I have ‘adopted’ her as our daughter and she us as her ‘Mum & Dad’. She is a truly treasured soul.
VOLUNTEERS
Aussie Grown Radio NEEDS assistance with a range of roles and activities from time to time or on an on-going basis.
IF YOU CAN HELP with: research, data entry, information updates, either on-line at your place or at our studio (perhaps enjoying an impressive “HankaHazelnutMuggaMochaChino”), send details of your interests & skills through the contact us link, or directly to: nellie@aussiegrownradio.com.