Sonshine Wins National Award for Putting Faith Into Action
A huge congratulations to Perth's Sonshine 98.5FM, which has won a national award for its Heart For The Homeless campaign, bringing thousands of Western Australians together to support people experiencing homelessness and hardship.
Sonshine received the Excellence in Community Engagement Award at the 2026 Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) Awards, recognising the station's commitment to making a practical difference in its community.
Now in its eighth year, Heart For The Homeless is a wonderful example of Christian radio putting faith into action.
More Than 13,500 Items Donated in 2026
Each May, Sonshine invites listeners, churches, schools, businesses and community groups across Perth to donate essential items for people experiencing homelessness.
This year, the campaign collected an incredible 13,548 items, including sleeping bags, blankets, warm clothing, backpacks and toiletries.
Donations were distributed through community partners St Pat's, St Bart's and Uniting WA, providing practical support to people doing it tough during the colder months.
Sonshine CEO Michael Pailthorpe said the award reflected the generosity of the community and the Christian values behind the campaign.
"At Sonshine, we believe that sharing God's love goes beyond what we say. It's also about what we do. Heart For The Homeless is about more than providing essential items. It's about showing people they are seen, valued and not forgotten."
From One Listener's Idea to a City-Wide Campaign
What makes this story even more special is how it began.
Eight years ago, a Sonshine listener who was already collecting items for people experiencing homelessness approached the station to see if they could help extend the initiative's reach.
Today, the campaign involves around 24 collection locations across Perth, with churches, schools, businesses and community organisations all playing their part.
Alongside collecting donations, Sonshine uses its on-air and digital platforms to raise awareness of homelessness and highlight the work of frontline organisations.
It's a fantastic example of what can happen when a radio station listens to its community and uses its platform to bring people together.
Congratulations to the Sonshine Team!
At CMAA, we're proud to celebrate the work of our members and the difference they're making across Australia.
Congratulations to Michael Pailthorpe and the entire Sonshine team on this well-deserved recognition!
From one listener's idea to thousands of donations reaching people in need, Heart For The Homeless is a powerful reminder of how Christian media can turn faith into action.