WAM Board welcomes newest member Russell Woolf

PRESS RELEASE:

We’re excited to announce the WAM Board’s newest member isRussell Woolf. Russell has been working in the Western Australian media industry for well over 20 years, bringing a wealth of industry knowledge, diverse skills, progressive thinking and an inclusive attitude to the WAM Board to help better champion WA music.

Russell studied broadcasting at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). He then headed across regional WA with various stints as a radio host and ABC broadcaster. Russell presented the Long Lunch program with Verity James and then the hugely popular Drive program for almost a decade. Russell also spent five years as the ABC TV News weather presenter, and currently hostsSaturday Breakfast on 720 ABC Perth.

He also focuses on community engagement work through his role as an ambassador for the WA Commissioner for Children and Young People, as a patron of Inclusion WA and his work as an MC, including hosting Fairbridge Festival, Fringe World, the Artbar series, Boyup Brook Country Music Festival and the Awesome Festival. No surprises he was spotted at this year’s State Of The Art festival either; Russell is a devoted live music attendee and a passionate supporter of local music.

On joining the Board, Russell enthused, “I’m a Perth boy who grew up in the ‘70s with a vibrant local music scene all around me; great gigs, great venues, great choices and great memories. Years later, on radio, I’m always looking to showcase and support local talent as much as I can. I bring passion, media industry knowledge and a black book filled with strong contacts to the WAM Board. I am honoured to be playing a role in what I see as a very exciting future for WAM and its members.”

Russell joins a WAM Board comprised of dedicated volunteers, withAl Taylor (Board President), Noah Shilkin of Margaret River (Vice President), Steven McCabe (Treasurer), Bel Skinner of Broome(Secretary), David Hyams, Jacob Snell, Jo Carson, Leanne Casellas and Simon Reed all helping guide WAM’s on going efforts to fulfil our missions in the most beneficial ways for all music industry stakeholders.

WAM’s Board President Al Taylor commented, “It’s a real coup for WAM to have Russell join the Board. Obviously, he is a high profile West Australian with some great connections, which is valuable, but more importantly he is genuinely passionate about WA Music, and right from the get go has made some notable contributions to WAM’s strategies.”

WAM’s CEO Mike Harris added, “Russell’s roots run deep into WA and the people and places that make up this great state. Russell has significant ties to the WA music industry and, whether through his knowledge of media or his broader community reach, Russell will help better connect WAM with new audiences. I’m sure Russell’s dulcet tones will also make WAM’s board meetings more melodic.”