Erin Somerville of ABC News has won the 2022 Feature Writing Quill for her work “Raising Giants”.

Judges' statement

This is an important and superbly presented story about the dangerous work collecting seeds of Victoria’s ash forests which have been - and could be again - devastated by bushfires. Erin investigates the critical work to try and ensure the survival of these giants of the forest and the threat fires pose to our native ecosystems. Her well-written story on this under-scrutinised subject - at a time when climate change and natural disasters and their impact are much discussed - was fresh and well-executed and conveyed alongside strong, sometimes startling video and photography. This was an excellent example of modern journalism telling a good story by effectively blending text, still photography and video.

The winning piece

Raising giants, ABC News, 18 June 2022

Highly commended

Miki Perkins, Good Weekend magazine, “The Torres Strait Islander elders lawyering up to stop their homes from sinking”

Cameron Stewart, Weekend Australian magazine, “Bad Betty”

Shortlisted

Adam Carey, The Age, “Walking in two worlds: the Territory kids discovering a new school” (Link 1, Link 2)