Hello, we’re BayFM

Ange Kent, President

Ange has a passion for travel and worked in the travel industry for many years. Another passion is music and BayFM was a perfect fit when she moved to the Byron Shire in 2011. Ange has spent many years on the Management Committee and became President in 2022 bringing a background in management, marketing and communications. You can catch Ange’s local music show ‘Northern Rivers Music Box’ every Friday from 4-6pm.

Nell Schofield, Management Committee

Nell started her radio career at Sydney’s 2SER soon graduating to ABCs Radio National where she produced and presented shows like Arts Today and Summer Breakfast. She also hosted a show on 2RES.  In 2021 she kick started her BayFM drive time show ‘Roadtrip’, (Tuesdays 4pm – 6pm), and stepped up to the Management Committee in 2024. “Community radio holds a special place in my heart.  It’s the audio version of connective tissue that binds people together over the airwaves.”

Pat Campbell, Business Manager

After 40 years working for various magazine publishers Pat found his way to BayFM. When he’s not talking sponsorship with local business, he can be found in the Studio co-presenting ‘Up The Junction’ (Thursdays 12pm – 2pm) with his mate Nick Richardson.

Mia Armitage, Secretary

Mia came to BayFM as a journalist in 2017 looking for more radio experience and now finds herself completely immersed in a passion for community media. The Secretary email account is one of six she manages for the station, including the Community Newsroom (Fridays 11am – 12pm). “The difference between ON and OFF the record is everything.”

Nick Mercer, Business Manager

Nick spent the last 30 years in the advertising industry and ran a successful independent agency in Sydney. A love of voluntary work and music led Nick to BayFM where he assists with marketing & fundraising – the perfect match!

Nick Richardson, Writer

After a factory job shovelling frozen peas, Nick decided a career in writing would be a much warmer option. When he’s not clattering the keys for BayFM, Nick presents ‘Up The Junction’ (Thursdays 12pm – 2pm) with his mate Pat Campbell.

George van Ridal, Broadcast Technician

When running a radio station, there is always lots of technical gizmos and electronics that need constant attention and lots of audio editing that needs doing too. George is invaluable to BayFM. If he is not fixing something he will be in the production studio cooking up some new Sponsorship announcements.

Lachie Hand, Sponsorship Manager

A born and bred Byron local, Lachie had a strong connection with the community from a young age, particularly among many of its sporting clubs. He is a small business owner, and enjoys helping others promote and build their businesses through their partnerships with BayFM.

Adele Smout, Office Volunteer

Adele wanted to live in the rainbow region for more than 30 years but working life took her elsewhere. She finally made it here and has become an integral part of the community.
“Helping out at BayFM is the icing on the cake!“

Nikki Mercer, Office Volunteer

Nikki loves her Wednesdays, cooking breakfast for the homeless at the Community Centre downstairs. Afterwards she heads straight up to volunteer with the great BayFM vibes!

Thelma Knibb, Office Volunteer

Thelma has loved living in the Byron area since the mid 70s. After many different professions, she retired and now enjoys being a vollie at BayFM. As she says, “It gives the best connection to the local community.”

Vanessa Weekes, Bookkeeper

After a life in Sydney and overseas in the advertising industry, Vanessa left the city for another life in Byron Bay in 2000.

Not only was it a change of environment but a change of careers as well. She started volunteering at BayFM in 2004 then went onto become the Bookkeeper at the station in 2009, a job she thoroughly enjoys.

Lulu Thompson, Interview Coordinator

Lulu has years of experience as a volunteer coordinator for local festivals in the Byron Shire. Having worked alongside numerous artists, performers and volunteers, Lulu is the ideal person to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and bring their stories to life on the airwaves as BayFM’s Interview Coordinator.

Cheryl Soper, Public Officer

Cheryl grew up at Fairy Bower in Manly. She was involved in administration at Family Circle magazine and Sky Channel for many years before doing an extended tree change to rural NSW.

Cheryl has now returned to the coast and chose the Byron Shire to continue her life’s journey.

“BayFM is a great place to volunteer, being able to interact with the community on many levels and be close to my passion for music.“

Matt Drinan, Grants Funding & Projects

After many years of soul selling corporate research gigs, Matt shifted into offering not-for-profit social research program design and evaluation services, primarily youth homelessness.

After relocating to Byron Bay, he began communicating regularly with Bay FM to assist with his first response supply efforts during the floods. He now assists the station with grant funding and other special projects. 

He has a love of, and respect for, the diversity and inclusion represented by the music and local content that Bay FM provides.