Michael Bachelard and Ruby Schwartz of The Age have won the Podcasting Quill for “Trial by Water”

Judges’ Citation

This podcast, engagingly hosted by Michael Bachelard, combines deep investigative journalism with tight scripting and deft audio production to re-examine the tragic drowning of three children when a car plunged into a Victorian dam in 2005. The children’s father, Robert Farquharson, was convicted of their murder. The podcast uncovers fresh evidence surrounding the medical condition he alleged caused the event. It also exposes the absence of a crucial psychological report on the convicted man. Trial By Water conducts revealing interviews to build a rounded picture of Farquharson. It points out discrepancies in evidence, draws on telling archival audio and recreates scenes with a moving car to illustrate complex mechanical details of the case. While never becoming polemical, Trial By Water compels listeners to reflect on whether justice has been served in this controversial cold case.

Highly Commended: 

Elle Marsh, Bethany Atkinson-Quinton, Antony Loewenstein and Tim Jenkins, Drop Site News, “The Palestine Laboratory Podcast’’

Janak Rogers, SBS Audio, “Australia Fair”

Shortlisted:

Secrets We Keep: Pray Harder, LiSTNR, “Secrets We Keep: Pray Harder”