JOY BLOG

18 Jul 2013

New Weekday Program Director announced

JOY’s new weekday program director, Sarah “SJ” Kilalea

JOY 94.9 is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah “SJ” Kilalea to the role of JOY 94.9 Weekday Program Director.

Sarah has been a volunteer and presenter of Tuesday Breakfast on JOY for 9 months and was also employed as the Summer of JOY Co-ordinator over the 2012/2013 summer festival season. Sarah came to JOY via the UK, Africa and Dubai with an extensive work history in radio and community organisations. After heading to drama school in London and qualifying as a drama teacher, Sarah travelled back to Africa and directed and produced the controversial play ‘The Vagina Monologues‘ which toured around the region, working with volunteers and women’s groups to produce free shows.

She also helped deliver female empowerment and HIV/AIDS awareness seminars in rural areas, using theatre as an educational tool to create awareness for gender inequality and practical methods to help stop the spread of HIV in Africa. She then moved on to Dubai where as well as being heavily involved in film production and events, she also worked in commercial radio for 6 years as a breakfast / drive presenter and producer. In 2012, Sarah landed in Melbourne and discovered JOY and with that brought her enthusiasm and experience to the station as a volunteer and contract worker for the 2012/2013 Summer of JOY.

Sarah’s connection to the community and JOY also has a very personal element to it.

“When I was 18 I discovered that both my parents were gay and that they had only realised this and come to terms with their sexuality during their marriage. Considering in Zimbabwe its illegal to be homosexual this became a very important issue for me in spreading awareness for equality and acceptance, regardless of sexual preference or gender orientation”.

Sarah is passionate about working at JOY and helping to create great programming, addressing issues that are important to our listeners and continuing with JOY’s legacy of being an exceptional community radio station with “great presenters, awesome music, relevant content and amazing volunteers.”

JOY’s current weekday Program Director Chris Jameson is stepping down after 18 months in the role but will continue on as a volunteer in the Music Director role and as a presenter. Chris’s commitment to JOY as a volunteer and staff member started in 2006 and as he says,

“I’ve pretty much dabbled in every aspect of the organisation, both on air and off air since!”.

His contribution to the station has always been greatly appreciated and he will continue to bring his knowledge and passion to his roles while working closely with Sarah in the Weekday Program Director role.

“I’m so pleased that Sarah Kilalea has joined the team as the new weekday program director. I recognised her energy and enthusiasm when she approached me about presenting on JOY as a volunteer last year. With both her community and professional experience, I’m confident that weekday programming is in good hands and as I continue on as music director I am so looking forward to working with Sarah”.

All Weekday Programming inquiries can still be directed via email to wpd@joy.org.au. Please note that Sarah officially commence the role on Monday July 29.