Journalism and photography finalists announced for Rural Press Club of Victoria awards

The Rural Press Club of Victoria has announced the finalists in 16 categories ahead of the Rural and Regional Journalism and Photography Awards Night in Bendigo on Friday, October 11.

One of the highlights of the night will be the announcement of winners in the four major award categories – the prestigious Journalist of the Year, Ray Frawley Young Journalist of the Year, Photographer of the Year and Media Outlet of the Year.

Awards night attendees will also be the first to hear an announcement about an exciting new Rural Press Club of Victoria opportunity for an eligible journalist.

The awards recognise the best work of 2023–24 and celebrate the vital role the media plays in connecting regional communities.

This year the club has introduced several new award categories to reflect the evolving nature of the journalism industry.

Some of these categories include Most Innovative Journalism, Best Breaking News Story and Community Champion.

The dress code for this year’s event is “dress to impress”, so it’s time to dust off your finest in preparation for the gala event.

Ticket sales close this Friday, October 4, so don’t delay and buy yours now! Tickets are limited.

The finalists listed in alphabetical order by award category are listed below.

Best On-Farm Story
– sponsored by Rural Bank

The nominees are:

• Carlene Dowie, The Australian Dairyfarmer
• Fiona Myers, The Weekly Times
• Sue Neales, Ag Journal/The Weekly Times
• Fiona Sheean, The Weekly Times
• Faith Tabalujan, ABC Rural

Best Agribusiness Story
– sponsored by Nutrien Ag Solutions

The nominees are:

• Jane McNaughton, ABC Victorian Country Hour
• Sue Neales, The Weekly Times
• Sue Smethurst, The Weekly Times
• Meg Powell, ABC Tasmania
• Madeleine Stuchbery, The Weekly Times

Best News Story – Written
– sponsored by Currie Communications

The nominees are:

• Else Kennedy, ABC Rural
• Allan Murphy, Sunraysia Daily
• Mark Murray, Geelong Advertiser
• Benjamin Silvester, ACM
• Jacob Traynor, Colac Herald

Best News Story – Audio
– sponsored by The Weekly Times

The nominees are:

• Mim Hook, ABC Gippsland
• Georgia Lenton-Williams, ABC Gippsland (RN Breakfast)
• Daniel Miles, ABC News

Best News Story – Visual
– sponsored by Australian Seed Potato Industry Certification Authority (AUSPICA)

The nominees are:

• Charmaine Manuel and Ashlee Aldridge, ABC News
• Natasha Schapova, ABC Gippsland
• Shannon Schubert, ABC Central Victoria
• Bec Symons, ABC Gippsland
• Harrison Tippet, ABC News Geelong

Best Feature Story
– sponsored by Stock & Land

The nominees are:

• Rochelle Kirkham, ABC Ballarat
• Rachael Lucas, ABC Gippsland
• Sue Smethurst, The Weekend Australian Magazine
• Josie Taylor, Emma D’Agostino and Danielle Bonica, ABC Central Victoria
• Chad Van Estrop, Geelong Advertiser

Best Sports Story
– sponsored by Marcus Oldham

The nominees are:

• Nicholas Duck, Warragul and Drouin Gazette
• Chris Earl, Loddon Herald
• Tim Lee, Landline, ABC TV
• Jeremy Story Carter, ABC
• Harrison Tippet, ABC News Geelong

Most Innovative Journalism
– sponsored by Porter Novelli

The nominees are:

• Elizabeth Hallam, Hamilton Spectator
• Mim Hook, ABC Gippsland
• Natasha Schapova, ABC News
• Jeremy Story Carter, ABC
• Emily Waite, North Central Review

Best Breaking News Story
– sponsored by Coles

The nominees are:

• Chris Earl, Loddon Herald
• Gabrielle Hodson, Ballarat Courier
• Jane McNaughton, ABC Victorian Country Hour
• Adam Spencer and Lachlan Bence, Ballarat Courier
• Bec Symons, ABC Gippsland

Best News Photograph
– sponsored by Bendigo City Council

The nominees are:

• Lachlan Bence, Ballarat Courier
• Nicole Cleary, The Age
• Kate Healy, Ballarat Courier
• Darren Howe, Bendigo Advertiser
• Adam Trafford, Ballarat Courier

Best Local Photograph
– sponsored by Commonwealth Bank

The nominees are:

• Darren Howe, Bendigo Advertiser
• Anne Simmons, ABC Gippsland
• Rachel Simmonds, Stock & Land
• Adam Trafford, Ballarat Courier

Community Champion
– sponsored by the Transport Accident Commission

The nominees are:

• Emma Ballingall, Warragul and Drouin Gazette
• Emma Oliver, Mansfield Courier
• Chelsea Bunting, Geelong Advertiser
• Darren Chaitman, Euroa Gazette
• Chris Earl, Loddon Herald
• Rachael Lucas, ABC Gippsland

Ray Frawley Young Journalist of the Year
– sponsored by WorkSafe Victoria

The nominees are:

• Tamara Clark, ABC Mildura-Swan Hill
• Nicholas Duck, Warragul and Drouin Gazette
• Hannah Kennelly, Mansfield Courier
• Natasha Schapova, ABC Gippsland
• Faith Tabalujan, ABC Rural

Photographer of the Year
– sponsored by Agriculture Victoria

The nominees are:

• Lachlan Bence, Ballarat Courier
• Michael Currie, The Times Group
• Kate Healy, Ballarat Courier
• Darren Howe, Bendigo Advertiser
• Angus Mackintosh, ABC Wimmera

Journalist of the Year
– sponsored by 89 Degrees East

The nominees are:

• Chris Earl, Loddon Herald
• Lexie Jeuniewic, ABC Ballarat
• Else Kennedy, ABC Mildura-Swan Hill
• Allan Murphy, Sunraysia Daily
• Benjamin Silvester, ACM

Media Outlet of the Year
– sponsored by Powercor

The nominees are:

• ABC Gippsland
• Ballarat Courier
• Loddon Herald
• Warrnambool Standard
• The Weekly Advertiser