The Advisory Council made the following commendations:

Fran Kelly

The Advisory Council commends Fran Kelly. Her program was praised from many perspectives including the following comments: 'Fran Kelly is so good. Good interviewing, a light touch when needed but incisive if interviewee is dissembling. Love her music segment - so varied from week to week.' 'Fran Kelly is the queen of breakfast radio. She is outstanding.' 'Fran does a fantastic job every morning and is able to get to the heart of the issue on every topic. She deserves a commendation.' 'Fran Kelly and the production team are doing a wonderful job with stimulating and relevant stories. The tone of the program makes for easy listening at that time of day, no haranguing or lecturing to get me offside before work.'

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Family Footsteps

The Advisory Council commends Family Footsteps. '...the feedback was all very positive: Four episodes were not enough and I really hope they will be making some new episodes next year. Outstanding television and really well done.'

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50 Year of ABC

The Advisory Council commends 50 Years of ABCTV. 'Programs have been well done and generally appreciated. Vintage ABC stuff.' 'This was a superb program. I enjoyed the way it was presented from an evolutionary perspective by people involved in the concept of the various programs through to the productions.' 'Congratulations to ABC for the 50 years of ABCTV hosted by John Clark. I received much positive feedback, people were reminded of the quality programs produced by our national broadcaster over the years and they realized the value of this iconic institution. The show demonstrated the wealth and breadth of ABC archives and the importance of these in the formation of our national identity.'

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The Cook and the Chef

The Advisory Council commends The Cook and the Chef. 'The Cook and the Chef is a magnificent cookery show. Maggie Beer and Simon Bryant have a very special chemistry which, together with their obvious passion and expertise, and the sumptuous surroundings of South Australia's Barossa Valley, where the show is based, make for a unique and very special cookery show. If the ABC could do more of that or what they did with Stephano de Pieri, that would be divine!' 'Put this on in prime time!'

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Insiders

The Advisory Council commends Insiders. 'An excellent show, which really gets behind the issues.' 'An excellent good high quality program with expert analysis and interviews' appealing to a wide audience.

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The Good Games

The Advisory Council commends the new series of Australian Story, thank you for the portrayal of real Australians. Australian Story is at its best when it features real people.

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Lateline Business

The Advisory Council commends Lateline Business. 'The addition of the 'Business' section to the Lateline program has been a resounding success. Updates on current market trends, the days trading highlights and news of mergers, takeovers and the like are greatly appreciated among the rural community that I come in contact with. The program timing and length are ideal and the quality is of a high standard.'

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Drought Support Initiatives

The Advisory Council commends the drought support initiatives. 'ABC radio has reinforced its commitment to servicing rural and regional Australia with its wide array of programs discussing and reporting on almost every aspect of the worst drought in living memory.' Particular mention was made of Bruce Reynolds and ABC Central West NSW for their efforts. 'Bruce and the team travelled around to local farms and businesses affected by the drought to find out how the drought is impacting on them financially and personally. Over a period of one week listeners probably learnt more about themselves and their neighbours than they would ever have hoped to.'

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Two Men in a Tinny

The Advisory Council commends Two Men in a Tinny and was selected for special mention - 'reaction in the bush has been massive. Perfect timing for such a program to explore the inefficient use of our most precious resource, water. Packaged in an easy to digest, informative and entertaining format.'