Melissa Cunningham of The Age has won the 2021 News Report in Writing Quill.

Judges' citation

Melissa Cunningham delivered a genuine scoop that directly questioned the Andrews government’s account of another covid leak from Hotel Quarantine. The exclusive interview with the man blamed for the lockdown in early 2021 stood out to the judges in a very strong field. Cunningham’s report was of high public interest, and helped set he news agenda for weeks, triggering inquiries and policy change. The judges praised Cunningham’s use of her contacts to speak to the man that everyone in Melbourne was trying to find. His personal account was later vindicated proving he was not patient zero for the outbreak.

The winning entry

Melissa Cunningham, The Age, '"I feel like a criminal": Traveller says he told authorities about nebuliser'

Highly commended

Stephen Drill and Christopher Tinkler, Herald Sun, 'Tim Paine sexting scandal'

Shortlisted

Tom Minear and Matt Johnston, Herald Sun, 'Rail Park Fail'

Jewel Topsfield and Royce Millar, The Age, 'How Denise Morgan escaped Albert Park's House of Horrors'

Please note: the above link/s may not comprise the entirety of an entry submitted for consideration.