Anthony Piovesan of Whittlesea Leader won the 2019 Suburban Journalism Quill for 'Behind Closed Doors', which exposed a series of scandals at Whittlesea Council.

Judges' citation

Anthony Piovesan’s coverage was critically important to Whittlesea Council residents, but the characters involved - and their connections - made it a story of significant national interest. Anthony went the extra mile to work his sources and sort fact from fiction. His unwavering reporting of the issue and its sideshows assured ratepayers that their council would be kept accountable by their local newspaper. Ultimately he was able to tell a story that the council wanted to keep under wraps.

The winning entry

Former top cop Simon Overland has been sacked from job as chief executive of Whittlesea Council, Whittlesea Leader, 11 December 2019

Police investigate mayor Emilia Sterjova’s vehicle after alleged hit-run, Whittlesea Leader, 19 December 2019

Month-long series of scandals mars Whittlesea Council, Whittlesea Leader, 20 December 2019

Highly Commended

Suzan Delibasic, Cranbourne Leader, Petition saves Hero the staffy from Cardinia Council taking action against him

Other finalists

Jordy Atkinson, Shaun Campbell & Emma-Jayne Schenk Bayside Leader, Grenville St Crossing: Make It Safer

Paul Shapiro, Greater Dandenong Leader, Predator in the hallway: What happened at Dandenong High