The Australian’s Michael McKenna was
named
Queensland’s
Journalist of the Year for 2009 at the Queensland Media Awards, held at the
Hilton on August 29. McKenna also won the Best Print/Online News Report category,
and shared the Best Sports Report honour with his colleague Dan Koch.
The win was a sweet one for McKenna (right, at Charters Towers) who despite regular nominations has never before independently taken home a gong at the Queensland Media Awards.
The
judges felt McKenna’s work stood out amidst a very strong field, and were
impressed with his courage and tenacity reporting on the dangers of taser stun
guns. McKenna’s work reached behind the Police Media Unit’s pro-taser public
relations campaign and led to a CMC investigation.
Also honoured on the night was ABC journalist Albert Asbury for his outstanding contribution to journalism. Asbury passed away earlier this year after a long and distinguished career; his family accepted the award on his behalf.
As the chief-of-staff for ABC TV News for 32 years, Albert nurtured generations of journalistic talent. Premier Anna Bligh once described him as a “remarkable journalist…who played a lengthy and pivotal role in television’s daily reporting of Queensland’s current affairs”.
A strong field of over 360 entries ran the full gamut of a tumultuous twelve months in Queensland. From the election of our first female Premier to wild weather, as severe drought gave way to floods and devastating storms. And from misbehaving sports stars and financial markets in meltdown, to violence on the streets and disadvantage in our communities: Queensland has so many stories to tell.
As the Queensland Media Awards show, our media are more than equal to the task.
2009 QUEENSLAND MEDIA AWARDS WINNERS
Young Journalist of the Year
Sponsored by Department of the Premier and Cabinet
Thomas Chamberlin, The Cairns Post, “Cash for Comment”
Most Outstanding Journalism Student – RegionalSponsored by Queensland Parliamentary Media Gallery
Kieran Moran, James Cook University, “Bouncers Behaving Badly”
Most Outstanding Journalism Student – Metropolitan
Sponsored by Queensland Parliamentary Media Gallery
Tom Hersey, Queensland University of Technology, “Body of Work”
Best Broadcast Report – Regional & Community Media
Sponsored by John Deere & Company
Megan Woodward, ABC Radio AM, “The Ignored Flood"
Best News Photograph – Regional & Community Media
Sponsored by ABC
Marc McCormack, The Cairns Post, “Dengue Death”
Best Print/Online Feature Article or Opinion Piece – Regional & Community Media
Sponsored by James Cook University
Nathan Evans, The Noosa Journal, “How Many More? Why it’s Time to Stop Playing Politics over Killer Highway”
Best Print/Online News Report – Regional & Community Media
Sponsored by Kingfisher Bay Resort
Tony Raggatt, Townsville Bulletin, “Storm Drain”
Excellence in Rural Journalism
Sponsored
by
Australia
Post
Pip Courtney and Ingrid Just, ABC TV Landline, “Blue Hills – Back to the Future”
Best Coverage of Social Equity and/or Indigenous Affairs
Sponsored by Queensland Council of Social Service
Chloe Cassidy, Network Ten, “On the Ball”
Best Coverage of Multicultural Issues
Sponsored by Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland
Amanda Watt, The Courier-Mail QWeekend, “Hell and High Water”
Best Business or Property Report
Sponsored
by Terry White Chemists
Liam Walsh, The Courier-Mail, “The Business of ABC”
Best Three Headlines
Sponsored by Australia Post
Grantlee Kieza, The Courier-Mail, “Three Headlines”
Best Cartoon, Illustration or Graphic
Sponsored by Media Super
Brett Lethbridge, couriermail.com.au, “ Australia”
Best Sports Report
Sponsored by Media Super
Dan Koch and Michael McKenna, The Australian, “Broncos Under Investigation”
Best Comment, Analysis, Opinion & Critique
Sponsored by Purple Palate
Mike O’Connor, The Courier-Mail, “It’s a Bridge too Far”
Best Photographic Essay
Sponsored by Nikon
David Kelly, The Courier-Mail QWeekend, “Man or Mouth”
Best News Photograph
Sponsored by Seven Network ( Brisbane)
Marissa Calligeros, brisbanetimes.com.au, “Thurston Breaks Down at Uncle’s Funeral”
Best TV News Camera Work
Sponsored by The Courier-Mail
John Varga, Seven News, “ Moreton Bay Oil Spill"
Best Broadcast Interview
Sponsored by Griffith University
Bill McDonald, Ten News at Five, “ Walk Down Disaster Lane”
Best TV Current Affairs, Documentary or Feature (including camera work)
Sponsored by Fosters Group Ltd
Caitlin Shea and Kristine Taylor, ABC TV Australian Story, “All the Pretty Horses”
Best Print/Online Feature Article
Sponsored by Local Government Association of Queensland
Amanda Watt, The Courier-Mail QWeekend, “Vicious Cycle”
Best Radio Current Affairs or Feature
Sponsored by Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance
Heather Stewart, Anita Barraud and Damien Carrick, ABC Radio National The Law Report, “ Queensland’s Child Protection System”
Best Radio News Report
Sponsored by Network Ten ( Brisbane)
Stefan Armbruster, SBS Radio World View, “Malu Sara – Coroner’s Findings”
Best TV News Report
Sponsored by Queensland University of Technology
Michael Best and Michael McKinnon, Seven News, “Police Corruption”
Best Print/Online News Report
Sponsored
by The Walkley Foundation
Michael McKenna, The Australian, “Shocked to the Core”
Best Investigative Report
Sponsored by Slater & Gordon Lawyers
Michael Crutcher and Matthew Fynes-Clinton, The Courier-Mail, “The Drugs Scourge”
Journalist of the Year
Sponsored by Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance Queensland Branch
Michael McKenna, The Australian
Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism
Sponsored by The University of Queensland
Albert Asbury, ABC
For further information contact Michelle Rae, 0411 757 669.
