The finalists and winners
The judges were impressed with the diversity of entries. Many of the finalists worked long and hard to investigate and uncover stories, showcasing the excellence in regional journalism. The finalist’s selection covered entries as varied as, Peter Garret writhing in the insulation debacle, the stimulated stimulus package, painting the town red, as well as some exceptional heart warming stories from the human condition.
The judges said finalists’ showed courage and character in their reporting. They acknowledged the finalists’ work and commitment to stories despite cuts to resources.
The judges said: “the impressive wide range of investigative work highlighted the talent that is seen in the region. The young journalists are delivering quality work at every turn “
The panel of six judges selected finalists across sixteen media categories.
Print News Report
Dominic Feain, “Man’s body found in shallow grave”, Northern Star
Richard Noone, “Zoe’s Law – The fight to recognise the rights of unborn children”, The Daily Telegraph
Emma Swain, “The Final Taboo”, The Maitland Mercury
Winner:
Richard Noone, “Zoe’s Law – The fight to recognise the rights of unborn children”, The Daily Telegraph
Print Feature Writing
Dominic Feain, “20th anniversary of Grafton and Kempsey bus crashes”, The Northern Star
Neil Jameson, “Portrait of a Mum”, Weekender Magazine
David Leser, “Peter and the Wolves”, Good Weekend
Winner:
David Leser, “Peter and the Wolves”, Good Weekend
Photographic Essay
Natalie Grono ,”Odd fish of Merewether”, Newcastle Herald
Kitty Hill , “Different “ Newcastle Newspapers
Winner:
Kitty Hill , “Different “ Newcastle Newspapers
News Photography
Jay Cronan,” Drowning of Shawn Williams” The Northern Star / APN
Simone De Peak, “When the Big Red came to Town!” Newcastle Herald
Winner:
Simone De Peak, “When the Big Red came to Town!” Newcastle Herald
Sports Photography
Peter Gleeson ,” Frenzy”Cumberland Courier Newspapers
Ryan Osland ,”A Sporting year in Newcastle “Newcastle Herald
Darren Pateman,” Not this Year “Newcastle Herald
Winner:
Darren Pateman,” Not this Year “Newcastle Herald
TV News Report
Madeleine Bond, “Scooby, where are you?”, NBN
Lynn Lelean, “Port Macquarie McDonald’s Siege, NBN
Steven Schubert, “Sir Richard stops for a chat”, NBN
Winner:
Madeleine Bond, “Scooby, where are you?”, NBN
TV Current Affairs/Feature/Special
Jim Callinan, “Kurt's Great Aussie Crawl”, NBN
Carly Cook, “BHP – 10 years on”, ABC Stateline
Maxene Cooper and Erin Byrnes, “Looking forward, looking back”, Prime News Tamworth
Winner:
Maxene Cooper and Erin Byrnes, “Looking forward, looking back”, Prime News Tamworth
TV News and Current Affairs Camera
Jon Bailey, “Port Macquarie McDonald’s Siege”, NBN
Erin Byrnes, “Looking forward, looking back”, Prime News Tamworth
Winner:
Jon Bailey, “Port Macquarie McDonald’s Siege”, NBN
Radio News Report
Catherine Clifford, “Koalagate”, ABC Radio New England North West
Giselle Wakatama, “Crook Docs”, 1233 ABC Newcastle, 702 ABC Sydney, Radio National
Winner:
Catherine Clifford, “Koalagate”, ABC Radio New England North West
Radio Current Affairs/Feature/Special
Jenny Bates, “Stroke week”, 1233 ABC Newcastle
Joanne Dodgson, “Clarence River prawn crisis”, ABC North Coast Radio
Giselle Wakatama, “Dead tired docs”, The World Today, Radio National, 1233 ABC Newcastle
Winner:
Joanne Dodgson, “Clarence River prawn crisis”, ABC North Coast Radio
All Media Best Sports Journalism
Robert Dillon, “Winner takes all”, Newcastle Herald
James Gardiner, “From the heart”, Newcastle Herald
Winner:
Robert Dillon, “Winner takes all”, Newcastle Herald
All Media Specialty Journalism
Alison Branley, “Education in 2010”, Newcastle Herald
Alex Easton, “Growing pains series”, The Northern Star
Jacqui Jones, “Civic”, Newcastle Herald
Winner:
Alison Branley, “Education in 2010”, Newcastle Herald
All Media Investigative Journalism
Alison Branley, “Stimulus spending scandal”,Newcastle Herald
Damon Cronshaw, “Doing their block”, Newcastle Herald
Giselle Wakatama, “Dead tired docs”, The World Today, Radio National, 1233 ABC Newcastle
Winner:
Damon Cronshaw, “Doing their block”, Newcastle Herald
All Media Best Use of the Medium
Belinda-Jane Davis, “Go for your goal”, The Maitland Mercury
Jane Goldsmith, “Red Dust”, NBN
Anthony Scully, “A night at the wireless”, abc.net.au
Winner:
Anthony Scully, “A night at the wireless”, abc.net.au
Highly commended:
Belinda-Jane Davis, “Go for your goal”, The Maitland Mercury
