THE 2026 INNER WEST LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS

On Monday 1 June, Sponsorship Co-ordinator Camilo Piovesan, and Board member John Elwell, represented 2RDJ at the presentation of the Inner West Local Business Awards at Le Montage, Lilyfield.

A total of 24 local businesses were recognised for their excellence by Precedent Productions with additional awards for Business Person of the Year and Business of the Year as well as a special Youth Award.

Camilo was given the opportunity to share the Radio 2RDJ story with the large audience before presenting awards to Oliveto Ristorante & Bar on Concord Road, Rhodes – the winners of the best restaurant and to Athena Cake Shop Marrickville who took out the category of best Bakery/Cake Business.

2026 marks the 17^th year that 2RDJ has been involved in the Inner West Local Business Awards and we are delighted to support the businesses which make up our vibrant Inner West community.

 

A copy of the winners’ list can be accessed here.

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THE RADIO 2RDJ 2026 “ARDIES” DINNER & AWARDS NIGHT

A merry group of 2RDJ-ers met at Club Burwood RSL on 4^th May for the presentation of the 2026 ARDIES awards and celebratory dinner.

The redoubtable and infamous Professor Mamie Garfoops kindly agreed to present the prestigious awards, flying in especially from Europe via the North Pole to avoid the Middle East ‘troubles’. (Sadly, it eventuated that Radio 2RDJ couldn’t afford to fund her lavish style of living and re-located Prof. Garfoops from her Burwood Crowne hotel suite to the local YWCA. She was also tactfully informed she had been booked to fly home economy class the next morning on Middle Eastern Airways. C’est la vie!)

Eight awards were presented – two of which recognised more than one person.  The big award – THE BLUE HYDRANGEA went to Phil Crosby – amid much applause. The full awards list is shown below.

Fun and frivolity was organised by Vivian with great games and super prizes.  But you’ve got to watch that Jon Trenoski who rearranged the cards (more than once!) during the “match the cards” memory game.

Apart from a cranky Professor Garfoops who left the Club muttering “I will NOT return”, feedback has been wonderful and preliminary planning is already under way for 2027.

 

ARDIES AWARDS LIST

The Multi-media ARDIE to Jon and Betty Trenoski

The Energiser Bunny ARDIE to Camilo Piovesan for sponsorship activity

The Many hatted ARDIE was awarded to John Elwell

The Technical brilliance ARDIE to Phil Crosby and Peter Worthington

The Early riser ARDIE to Biagio Versace

The Outreach ARDIE to DJ D – AKA Diana Matesic

The Glutton for punishment ARDIE to Neil Dutton

The top award – The Blue Hydrangea – to Phil Crosby for all-round contribution to Radio 2RDJ

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