Memorial podcast wins at SA media awards

The Australian War Memorial podcast From a Whisper to a Bang! has been named Best Radio News or Current Affairs or Feature Report at the 2020 Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) South Australian Media Awards on Friday night.
 
Produced and presented by Australian broadcaster Megan Spencer, the podcast was nominated in two categories, becoming a finalist for Best Freelance Contribution, and sharing honours as a jointwinner of Best Radio News or Current Affairs or Feature Report in the Bronze Award category for radio.
 
Released in 2019, From a Whisper to a Bang! tells the story of an Australian prisoner of war and his granddaughter’s emotional personal journey of historical empathy, her understanding of war, and remembrance. Spencer investigates the story of her late grandfather, Corporal H.B. “Harry” Spencer, and the inter-generational effect of his experiences in the Second World War.
 
Memorial Assistant Director of Public Programs Ms Anne Bennie said From a Whisper to a Bang! was very deserving of the award. 
 
“Megan Spencer is to be commended for her work, combining her own perspective with her grandfather’s rich service history to tell compelling, insightful stories that invite audiences to contemplate the role of remembrance in the modern day,” Ms Bennie said.
 
“This is a story not just about those who serve, it is also about those they loved, and lost, oftentimes inspiring but also confronting.
 
“From a Whisper to a Bang! is one of many digitial programs promoted by the Australian War Memorial to share stories that open a world beyond our own lived experience through the art of storytelling. It is wonderful that the MEAA have considered it worthy of this esteemed award.”
 
Spencer says she was thrilled to be nominated for the award, and hopes the podcast underlines the value of remembrance in affecting positive change.  
 
“It’s lovely that the podcast received this recognition, and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who helped to make the audio series happen,” she said.
 
“Now more than ever, we need to keep history and facts alive, no matter how difficult or confronting we may find them. 
 
“I’m grateful to the Australian War Memorial for taking a chance on this project, for commissioning it, supporting it and giving it a home where so many people around the world can listen.”
 
The podcast was made possible through support from Boeing Australia and is available for listening on the Memorial’s website: https://www.awm.gov.au/learn/podcasts/Whisper. 
 
CONTACTS:  
 
Media team   02 6243 4575    0409 600 038  media@awm.gov.au

Megan Spencer              0414 835 158             hello@themeganspencer.com