Charmayne Allison and Cath Grey of the Riverine Herald won the 2019 Regional and Rural Journalism Quill for their reporting on mental health issues in regional Victoria.

Judges' citation

Charmayne Allison's powerful and insightful series revealing the personal costs of mental health issues in regional Victoria was the result of tenacious and careful research. She developed such trust that men from the bush revealed for the first time their torment and vulnerability. Her empathetic writing was complemented by emotive yet sensitive video and photography by Cath Grey. This collection is relevant to the broad community while highlighting the particular challenges of life in regional and rural Victoria.

The winning entry

Breaking the Silence, Riverine Herald, 7 October 2019

Highly Commended

Shannon Twomey & Chantelle Francis, The Weekly Times, Web Link Exposed

Other finalists

Charmayne Allison, Riverine Herald, Our Forgotten Families

Sophie Boyd, The Border Mail, Ordinary Life Truly The Greatest Gift

Caleb Cluff, The Courier, Ballarat, The Boys’ Club: Female Prison Staff Reveal Brutal Culture of Abuse