Monash University Gold Quill
James Campbell | Herald Sun
James Campbell has been named the 2013 Monash University Gold Quill winner.
Judges’ statement
In a year of big news stories, James Campbell’s stood out. The publication of secret tapes revealing deep divisions within the state government in the aftermath of the Victoria Police leadership crisis triggered a series of events that led to the resignation of Premier Ted Baillieu and changed the course of Victorian politics. The impact of Campbell’s work was strengthened by the publication of excerpts from the tapes on the Herald Sun website, an impressive marriage of print and digital media.
Young Journalist of the Year
Ashlynne McGhee | ABC
Ashlynne McGhee of the ABC has been named the MPC’s 2013 Young Journalist of the Year.
Judges’ statement
For her great breadth of skills from live crosses to in-depth investigative pieces. Ashlynne’s tenacious questioning of Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin about living on the dole set the political agenda for a week. She is a polished reporter.
Victorian Government Quill for Reporting on Disability Issues
Kirsten Veness | 7.30, ABC
Kirsten Veness has won the Victorian Government Quill for Reporting on Disability Issues.
Judges’ statement
Kirsten’s story broke stereotypes about what’s possible for people with disabilities. She captured the passion of a boy determined to participate in a mainstream activity. The story was complemented by fantastic camerawork that highlighted the thrills and spills involved in chair-skating.
RACV Transport Quill
Josh Gordon | The Age
Josh Gordon of The Age has won the RACV Transport Quill.
Judges’ statement
Josh Gordon’s extensive report revealed and explained major issues with the controversial East West road link. The report provided new clarity on an issue of genuine public interest. His use of graphics illustrated the scope of the proposal and its potential consequences across Melbourne.
Keith Dunstan Quill for Best Columnist/Blogger
Caroline Wilson | The Age
Caroline Wilson of The Age has won the Keith Dunstan Quill for Best Columnist/Blogger.
Judges’ statement
Caroline Wilson’s work on the doping scandal at Essendon Football Club was insightful, courageous and crisply written. She cut through the fog of misinformation and competing interests and brought clarity to an emotional issue. Her style was entertaining and readable. Above all Caroline was fearless.
Grant Hattam Quill for Investigative Journalism
James Campbell | Herald Sun
James Campbell of the Herald Sun has won the Grant Hattam Quill for Investigative Journalism.
Judges’ statement
This story had a dramatic impact on Victorian politics. Premier Ted Baillieu resigned two days after it appeared in part because of the revelations in secret tapes which were at the centre of Campbell’s reporting. The tapes could be listened to online adding an extra dimension to the reporting.
Best Use of Digital or Social Media
Christie Cooper | Seven News Melbourne
Christie Cooper of Seven News Melbourne has won the Quill for Best Use of Digital or Social Media.
Judges’ statement
Cooper pulled every lever in the digital world to deliver compelling content on a breaking news story against deadline. She made intelligent use of User Generated Content, and showed what good old fashioned news hounding can achieve when married with the capabilities of digital media.
Best TV Or Video News Report
Daniel Oakes | ABC
Daniel Oakes of the ABC has won the Quill for Best TV Or Video News Report.
Judges’ statement
Dan Oakes’ report on the arrest of a suspect in the Siriyakorn ‘Bung’ Siriboon case was a genuine exclusive with a high level of detail that was followed up by all other media. His story had intimate knowledge of Victoria Police’s investigation into one of its most baffling cases and was the result of great contacts and persistence to follow the story through over a long period of time.
Best TV Or Video Current Affairs/Feature under 10 Minutes
James Bennett and Simon Winter | 7.30, ABC1
James Bennett and Simon Winter of the ABC’s 7.30 have won the Quill for Best TV Or Video Current Affairs/Feature under 10 Minutes.
Judges’ citation
This story became the iconic image of the Dunalley fires that went around the world. The interviews and the images were a genuine exclusive and they told their stories with great sensitivity and empathy. At a time when all of the subjects were experiencing great trauma, James and Simon were able to earn the people’s trust and get them to open up about their survival.
Best TV Or Video Current Affairs/Feature over 10 Minutes
Luke Waters | SBS World News
Luke Waters of SBS World News has won the Quill for Best TV Or Video Current Affairs/Feature over 10 Minutes.
Judges’ statement
This feature gave a new insight into a familiar story about the traumas suffered by returned servicemen. Luke had clearly researched the issue well and had developed a relationship of trust with all of his talent including a Vietnam Vet who still doesn’t talk about the war but took the viewer on a personal journey about his struggle.
Best Three Headlines in any Medium
Adrian Nesbitt | Herald Sun
Adrian Nesbitt of the Herald Sun has won the Quill for Best Three Headlines in any Medium.
Judges’ statement
A great set of headlines. “Easy, Rider” – a comma is a much-maligned thing, but it works brilliantly here. “Chopper plans for the ear-after” – very clever word play given his imminent demise … and no ears! “The long kick goodnight” – analogy that works pretty well, especially if the reader knows the movie. Also the Neeld saga went on so long … you get the “picture”. The artwork great as well.
Best Sports Photograph
Michael Dodge | Getty Images (published in The Age)
Michael Dodge of The Age has won the Quill for Best Sports Photograph.
Judges’ statement
A perceptive football photographer actually sees a mark well before it takes place. Michael Dodge is one of those special few. He captured this amazing shot after deciding to switch his camera with the 600mm lens for a spare with a shorter lens on the ground beside him. The work of a true professional.
Best Sports News Story in any Medium
Damian Barrett | National Nine News
Damian Barrett of National Nine News has won the Quill for Best Sports News Story in any Medium.
Judges’ statement
In a hotly contested category, marked by a number of excellent entries, the judges felt Damian Barrett’s work on the Essendon drugs scandal provided the standout news story of the year. Barrett was the first reporter to get wind of the supplements saga late in 2012 and was researching it through January (securing a breakthrough interview with former player Kyle Reimers) and early February. His hand was forced when Essendon officials met the AFL to ‘self-report’ on February 5. At 2pm that day, he went to air on Channel Nine to announce the developments, and the background to the story, while introducing us to sports scientist Stephen Dank, who would become one of the key figures in the saga. His interview with Reimers, who revealed the extent of Dank’s supplements program, helped give vital perspective to the issue. Damian can be said to have led the way with the biggest sports story of the year.
Best Sports Feature in any Medium
Chip Le Grand | The Australian
Chip Le Grand of The Australian has won the Quill for Best Sports Feature in any Medium.
Judges’ statement
Le Grand produced a fascinating fly-on-the-wall account of the fraught two days of negotiations at AFL House between the AFL Commission and Essendon officials in August. He was able, to piece together a picture of the protracted negotiations which eventually led to Essendon facing a range of sanctions and coach James Hird accepting a 12 month ban from coaching. Le Grand also shed light on the AFL’s tactics in manufacturing a solution. A very readable and insightful feature which added valuable perspective to the Essendon supplements scandal.
Best Suburban Report in Writing
Fiona Sexton, Dana McCauley and Nicole Precel | Port Phillip, Caulfield and Bayside Leaders
Fiona Sexton, Dana McCauley and Nicole Precel of the Port Phillip, Caulfield and Bayside Leaders have won the Quill Award for Best Suburban Report in Writing.
Judges’ statement
The Cots for Tots campaign had every angle covered. It was an example of a community newspaper doing what it does best. The judges were impressed by the exceptional outcomes achieved by this fully integrated campaign which not only gave a voice to some of society’s most vulnerable and marginalised people but also, critically, provided practical assistance for those who need it most. In an exceptional field of entries, this campaign showed great initiative, persistence, and journalistic skill across a multitude of platforms.
Best Regional or Rural Affairs Report in any Medium
Shane Fowles, Greg Dundas, Anthea Cannon, Peter Begg | Geelong Advertiser
Shane Fowles, Greg Dundas, Anthea Cannon and Peter Begg of the Geelong Advertiser won the Quill for Best Regional or Rural Affairs Report in any Medium.
Judges’ statement
In the best traditions of news reporting, this was a genuine sc00p. The Geelong Advertiser team revealed in forensic detail the existence of secretive funds handed out by Geelong City Councillors without regard to scrutiny or process. The newspaper’s revelations forced the council to change its system.
Best Radio News Report
Lauren Hilbert | Radio 3AW Melbourne Pty Ltd
Lauren Hilbert of 3AW has won the Quill for Best Radio News Report.
Judges’ statement
Lauren followed up an international report on counterfeit DVD’s, exposing a local market selling pirated videos, standing up to bullying tactics from market management, and having the illegal operator closed down.
Best Radio Current Affairs Report
Neil Mitchell | Radio 3AW Melbourne Pty Ltd
Neil Mitchell of 3AW has won the Quill for Best Radio Current Affairs Report.
Judges’ statement
Neil’s scoop on Ford’s decision to end local manufacturing was radio current affairs at it’s best. It brought together all the players in the story – the workers, the company, the Premier, the Lord Mayor, the reaction from the Melbourne audience – all hours ahead of the pack.
Best News Report in Writing
Michael Warner, Mark Robinson and Chip Le Grand | The Herald Sun and The Australian
Michael Warner, Mark Robinson and Chip Le Grand of the Herald Sun and The Australian have won the Quill for Best News Report in Writing.
Judges’ statement
These reports provided explosive insights into one of the biggest local and national stories of the year. The stories were incisive, with long-term impact that continued to generate controversy. There were two reports based on close collaboration entered jointly. They were by Michael Warner and Mark Robinson from the Herald Sun and Chip Le Grand from the Australian.
Best News Photograph
Jason Sammon | Herald Sun
Jason Sammon of the Herald Sun has won the Quill for Best News Photograph.
Judges’ statement
This image epitomises what all great news pictures are about. That is to capture the moment using sharp reflexes and having a little bit of luck to capture the incident in frame. It is rare to see a pure news photo of this kind these days.
Best Illustration or Graphics in any Medium
Matthew Davidson | The Age Melbourne Magazine
Matthew Davidson of The Age Melbourne Magazine has won the Quill for Best Illustration or Graphics in any Medium.
Judges’ statement
Using a comic book noir technique, this illustration told the story in an effective and dynamic manor. The judges felt the comic strip added value to the written word, making a complex story accessible to the reader.
Best Features Photograph
Justin McManus | The Age
Justin McManus has won the Quill for Best Features Photograph.
Judges’ citation
As Justin Crawley stood on the edge of his swimming pool with the Harrietville fire racing towards his property, he commented that “it’s hard to believe something so beautiful could be so dangerous”. Justin McManus has reflected this quote brilliantly with his classically composed image.
Best Feature in Writing
Jo Chandler | The Global Mail
Jo Chandler of The Global Mail has won the Quill for Best Feature in Writing.
Judges’ statement
Jo Chandler took great personal risks to expose a barbaric and sinister practice on Australia’s doorstep. Her feature was disturbing and compelling in equal measure. It was meticulously researched in the most testing circumstances.
Best Coverage of an Issue or Event
Richard Baker, Nick McKenzie, Caroline Wilson, Jake Niall and Samantha Lane | The Age
Richard Baker, Nick McKenzie, Caroline Wilson, Jake Niall and Samantha Lane of The Age have won the Quill for Best Coverage of an Issue or Event.
Judges’ statement
On one of the biggest running stories of the year, The Age team produced excellent coverage – breaking stories through the investigative work of Richard Baker and Nick McKenzie, backed up by Jake Niall and Samantha Lane and penetrating commentary and analysis from Caroline Wilson that was vindicated as events unfolded. In a particularly strong entry list, theirs stood out as journalism of the highest quality.
Best Cartoon
John Ditchburn | Ballarat Courier
John Ditchburn of the Ballarat Courier has won the Quill for Best Cartoon.
Judges’ statement
This cartoon cleverly combines two of the greatest problems facing our country today and our failure to confront them.
Best Camerawork
Rohan Wastell | Rohan Wastell
Rohan Wastell has won the Quill for Best Camerawork.
Judges’ statement
Acting as the pool cameraman for all networks, Seven cameraman Rohan Wastell was taken into the fire zone and shot dramatic images that really depicted what people experience inside those areas. He gave viewers the sensation of being in a bushfire – you could almost feel heat from the images and sense the level of panic amongst people trying to save their properties. It was extremely dramatic. Rohan is an experienced camera operator all networks were comfortable placing in this situation and he demonstrated his skill and rewarded them with these pictures.
Best Business Story in any Medium
Adele Ferguson and Chris Vedelago | The Age
Adele Ferguson and Chris Vedelago of The Age won the Quill for Best Business Story in any Medium.
Judges’ statement
This story exposed fraudulent behaviour among a group of Commonwealth Bank financial planners that hurt many clients. It also revealed unacceptable delays by both the bank and ASIC in acting on complaints. The story triggered a senate inquiry in ASIC’s effectiveness as a corporate regulator.
Best Breaking News Coverage
Brendan Donohoe | Seven News
Brendan Donohoe of Seven News has won the Quill Award for Best Breaking News Coverage.
Judges’ statement
Brendan Donohoe’s engaging coverage of the rapidly unfolding demise of Premier Ted Baillieu was comprehensive and authoritative, and his analysis of the drama reflected his considerable experience and knowledge of state politics. The judges considered it an outstanding individual performance.