A regional journalist who made national headlines after being turned away from a One Nation press conference before it even began has taken out top honours at the Rural Press Club of Victoria’s annual awards.
ABC Goulburn Murray reporter Erin Somerville was named Journalist of the Year, recognised by judges for her tenacity and composure under pressure, at a milestone event celebrating 60 years of the club.
Rural Press Club of Victoria president Kellie Lazzaro said more than 130 people attended the prestigious event at the Melbourne Town Hall on Friday, September 4.
“For 60 years, the Rural Press Club of Victoria has championed the vital work of rural and regional journalists and photographers,” Ms Lazzaro said.
“The breadth and calibre of entries this year showcased the strength of regional journalism and the essential role newsrooms play in informing and representing regional communities.”
The milestone awards received 200 entries from journalists and news photographers across 60 newsrooms in rural and regional Victoria.
“The club extends its heartfelt thanks to the 35 media professionals from across Australia who generously donated their time, dedication, and industry expertise to judge this year’s awards,” Ms Lazzaro said.
The winning entries covered issues from hospital system failures to agricultural innovation, and breaking crime coverage to migrant worker exploitation.
Journalist of the Year – sponsored by Nutrien Ag Solutions: Erin Somerville, ABC Goulburn Murray
ABC Goulburn Murray’s Erin Somerville was honoured for a standout year of fearless journalism that frequently put regional issues on the national stage.
Somerville made headlines across the country for her composure under pressure after footage went viral of her being ejected moments before a One Nation press conference during the Farrer by-election campaign.
“Her coverage of the ongoing issues at Albury-Wodonga Health set an agenda for a federal byelection and made those outside the region stand up and take note,” judges said.
“She balanced this during her ongoing quality coverage of the Porepunkah police shootings and the ongoing manhunt for Dezi Freeman.
“She let city audiences know the looming backlash against major parties and the momentum One Nation was building on the ground before almost anyone else and produced quality reporting in the face of a backlash from One Nation against the public broadcaster.”
Media Outlet of the Year – sponsored by Powercor: The Warragul & Drouin Gazette
The Warragul & Drouin Gazette claimed the top honours as the best media outlet for 2026, celebrated for its fearless local reporting and strong connection to West Gippsland.
“The judges loved the innovation and creativity shown by the Warragul & Drouin Gazette team in collaborating on the homelessness sleepout community initiative, moving beyond traditional journalism boundaries in a clear and well-written way,” the judges said.
“The team’s coverage of highly-contentious battery developments was even-handed, taking its role to inform and elevate local issues seriously.
“The outlet clearly celebrates and enjoys its local audience, and you can feel the respect The Gazette both shows its audience, and receives in return.”
Photographer of the Year – sponsored by Canon: Darren Howe, Bendigo Advertiser
Bendigo Advertiser veteran photographer Darren Howe was recognised for his ability to capture an incredible breadth of community life in regional Victoria.
“Howe presented a compelling portfolio of subjects critical to regional communities: the drama of bushfires, the tragedy of homelessness and the thrills and excitement of community sport,” judges said.
“He managed to capture the raw emotion of fire survivors, and the shocking drama of a fire in full flight.”
Ray Frawley Young Journalist of the Year – sponsored by TAC: Coco Veldkamp, ABC Ballarat
Named in honor of the long-serving RPCV vice-president who championed emerging talent, the Ray Frawley Young Journalist of the Year award went to ABC Ballarat’s Coco Veldkamp.
“Veldkamp demonstrates impressive investigative skills and the ability to break big stories,” the judges said.
“These stories instigated important change for the local communities involved and far beyond.”
Community Champion Journalist – sponsored by Stock & Land: Jessica Greenan, The Standard | Warrnambool
Rounding out the five major categories, Warrnambool reporter Jessica Greenan from The Standard was saluted for her commitment to public interest journalism.
“Greenan’s in-depth, thoughtful reporting demonstrates a strong commitment to community advocacy with a focus on small regional towns and the structural issues that shape their future,” judges said.
“Judges were particularly impressed by the fresh perspective, beautiful visual storytelling and the way the work spoke for itself.”
The club also paid tribute to Robin Letts OAM, one of Australia’s longest-serving newspaper editors, who died in August, aged 96.
Letts spent nearly eight decades at north-west Victorian newspaper, The Buloke Times, and was at the helm of the regional publication for 39 years.
“We honour the extraordinary legacy of Robin Letts OAM, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award at our club’s 60th anniversary celebration in March this year, and gave 80 years of his life to Victoria’s media landscape,” Ms Lazzaro said.
The awards were emceed by event host, broadcaster, presenter and producer, Tyson Whelan.
Full List of 2026 Winners
Media Outlet of the Year – sponsored by Powercor
- Winner: Warragul & Drouin Gazette
- Highly commended: ABC Goulburn Murray & ABC Shepparton
- Commended: Geelong Advertiser
- Commended: Wimmera Mail-Times
- Commended: The Courier | Ballarat
- Winner: Erin Somerville, ABC Goulburn Murray
- Highly commended: Ben Silvester, ACM
- Commended: Dale Webster, The Regional
- Commended: Bree Harding, Shepparton News
- Commended: Harrison Tippet, ABC Geelong
Photographer of the Year – sponsored by Canon
- Winner: Darren Howe, Bendigo Advertiser
- Highly commended: Rechelle Zammit, Shepparton News
- Commended: Paul Carracher, The Weekly Advertiser
- Commended: Lachlan Bence, The Courier | Ballarat
- Commended: Chris Earl, The Loddon Herald
Ray Frawley Young Journalist of the Year – sponsored by TAC
- Winner: Coco Veldkamp, ABC Ballarat
- Highly commended: Faith Tabalujan, ABC Rural
- Commended: Chelsea Wilson, The Border Mail
- Commended: Olivia Conder, Geelong Advertiser
- Commended: Ella Power-Bridger, WIN News
Community Champion – sponsored by Stock & Land
- Winner: Jessica Greenan, The Standard | Warrnambool
- Highly commended: Rachael Lucas, ABC Gippsland
- Commended: Tamara Clark, ABC Wimmera
- Commended: Nick Powell, The Courier | Ballarat
- Commended: Matt Elliott, Sunraysia Daily
Best News Story (Written) – sponsored by 89 Degrees East
- Winner: Chris Earl, Loddon Herald – Care cash con
- Highly commended: Charlotte Wilkes, ABC Ballarat – Allegations of sexual misconduct levelled at father-son Bowen therapists in Ballarat
- Commended: Anna McGuinness, ABC Central Victoria – Patrons of Children First Foundation condemn planned sale of donated land
- Commended: Ben Silvester, Australian Community Media – ‘Major neglect’: figures reveal why regional Victoria’s roads are crumbling
- Commended: Sophia Baker, The Standard | Warrnambool – ‘Judgement error’: south-west surgeon referred to top medical regulator
Best News Story (Audio) – sponsored by Coles
- Winner: Danielle Pope, ABC Gippsland – Push to make voluntary assisted dying available through telehealth
- Highly commended: Charmaine Manuel, ABC Shepparton – Dhurringile child migrants
- Commended: Jarrod Whittaker, ABC Gippsland – Erin Patterson Mushroom verdict
Best News Story (Video) – sponsored by AuSPICA
- Winner: Bec Symons, ABC Gippsland – Survivors of paedophile teacher Peter Farmer sue Victorian education department
- Highly commended: Charlotte Wilkes, ABC Ballarat – New statistics show Victoria’s most dangerous roads are in regional areas
- Commended: Charmaine Manuel, ABC Shepparton – Chinese police scam
- Commended: Harrison Tippet, ABC Geelong – The death of Brian Dean
- Commended: Anna McGuinness, ABC Central Victoria – Goldie Verdict
Best Feature Story – sponsored by Marcus Oldham
- Winner: Nigel McNay, The Border Mail – Fog of an unexpected illness
- Highly commended: Sue Smethurst, Outback Magazine – Silo squatter
- Commended: Rachael Lucas, ABC Gippsland – Dedicated priest travels countryside for services despite shrinking congregations
- Commended: Matt Neal, ABC South West Victoria – Former ATSIC head Geoff Clark was jailed but his community says legal issues persist
- Commended: Dan Miles, ABC News – Bucking, ethics and OnlyFans: Australian rodeo in the social media age
Best On-Farm Story – sponsored by Halter
- Winner: Ted O’Connor, ABC News – Drought Innovation in Hamilton
- Highly commended: Mark Rabich, Wimmera Farmer – Later lambing pays off
- Commended: Samantha James, North West Farmer – Tree change for industry
- Commended: Tim Lee, Andrew Alltree-Williams, and David Christie, Landline | ABC – Polwarth Passion
Best Agribusiness Story – sponsored by Gardiner Foundation
- Winner: Lily Kristanto, ABC Gippsland – Black mould, sewage and overcrowding in migrant worker accommodation
- Highly commended: Sue Smethurst, The Weekly Times Ag Journal – New Kings in Grass Castles
- Commended: Justine Longmore and Warwick Long, ABC Rural – Farmers angry as Woolworths imports US butter in green and gold packaging
Best Coverage of Breaking News Event – sponsored by MGR&Co
- Winner: Ashlee Aldridge, ABC Goulburn Murray – Porepunkah Police Shooting
- Highly commended: Phillippa Butt and team, Geelong Advertiser – Beyond the Smoke: The Geelong Refinery Fire
- Commended: Harrison Tippet, ABC Geelong – January Southwest Floods and Fires
- Commended: Ella Power-Bridger, WIN News – Dezi Freeman dead
- Commended: Sarah Krieg and Sandra Moon, ABC Goulburn Murray – January 2026 bushfires rolling coverage
Best Sports Story – sponsored by TAC
- Winner: Dan Miles, ABC South West Victoria – Blood on the grass – the rise and fall of the Purnim Bears
- Highly commended: Dan Batten, Geelong Advertiser – Play Like Britta: Tragic death that’s brought a local footy club closer
- Commended: Bree Harding, Shepparton News – Grandma’s rumballs a formula
- Commended: Lauren Henry, The Weekly Advertiser – Finals fiasco
- Commended: Laura Mayers, ABC Ballarat – Running on stilts
- Winner: Ben Silvester, The Courier | Ballarat – ‘It has broken me’: woman loses ovary after Ballarat Base Hospital failures
- Highly commended: Justine Longmore, ABC Rural – The Bureau of Meteorology’s new website
- Commended: Eden Hynninen and Josie Taylor, ABC Ballarat – Childcare giant Goodstart failed to report worker
- Commended: Dan Miles, ABC News – Tyrendarra Football Club welcomes back then bans sex offender
- Commended: Mikaela Ortolan, ABC News – Bushfire charity deception
- Winner: Jack Colantuono, ABC Gippsland – Kaiden Morgan-Johnston’s parents embrace with emotion during powerful justice march
- Highly commended: Paul Carracher, The Weekly Advertiser – Flying high
- Commended: Lachlan Bence, The Courier | Ballarat – Aurora Australis
- Commended: Michael Currie, AAP – Longwood – fighting for a town
- Commended: Kate Healy, The Courier | Ballarat – One last war cry
Best Local/Sports Photograph – sponsored by Powercor
- Winner: Kate Healy, The Courier | Ballarat – Splashing struggle
- Highly commended: Michael Currie, Sunraysia Daily – Blackout Sunset
- Commended: Paul Carracher, Weekly Advertiser – Classic catch
- Commended: Darren Howe, Bendigo Advertiser – Falling like leaves
- Commended: Rechelle Zammit, Shepparton News – Against all odds
