Entries open for MPC awards

Entries for the Melbourne Press Club's state and national awards are now open, with record prize money and new categories to enter.

Victorian journalists can choose from over 30 categories in the 28th Quill Awards for Excellence in Victorian Journalism, which this year carry a record $53,000 in prizes.

A full list of sponsored Quills categories can be found below.

All eligible work published during the 2022 calendar year can be entered. Entries close on Monday 30 January 2023.

Learn more about the Quills

Nationally, the Graham Perkin Australian Journalist of the Year and Harry Gordon Australian Sports Journalist of the Year awards celebrate excellence in reporting across all media in 2022.

These national awards are free to enter, and you can nominate yourself or another media professional.

The Perkin carries a $10,000 prize from The Age, and the winner of the Gordon will take home $7,500 provided by the MPC.

Entries close on Monday 30 January 2023.

Learn more about the Perkin award

Learn more about the Gordon award

Victorian journalism students can enter the MPC Student Journalist of the Year award, which celebrates the best work from the next generation of our state's media.

The winner will receive $1,000 and flights, accommodation, and a ticket to the 2023 IRE conference in Orlando, Florida. This prize is provided by the Melbourne Press Club.

Entries close on Monday 30 January 2023.

Learn more about the SJOY award

All awards can be entered through our new entries portal. Features of the new system include the ability to save an an entry you are yet to submit, editing a submitted entry (prior to deadline, of course!), and the ability to upload audio, video, and other large files directly.

Visit the entries portal

28th Quills: Categories

The categories for this year's awards are:

  • Artwork
  • Best Breaking News or Live Coverage
  • Best Coverage of an Issue
  • Business News/Feature, with a $3,000 prize from sponsor McGrathNicol
  • Cartoon
  • Coverage of Women in Sport, with a $3,000 prize from sponsor Office for Women in Sport and Recreation
  • Excellence in Indigenous Affairs Reporting, with a $3,000 prize from sponsor Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations
  • Excellence in Science, Medical and Health Reporting, with a $3,000 prize from principal partner University of Melbourne
  • Feature Writing
  • Features Photograph
  • Grant Hattam Quill for Investigative Journalism, with a $3,000 prize from sponsor HWT
  • Innovation in Journalism, with a $3,000 prize from sponsor Ryman Healthcare
  • Keith Dunstan Quill for Commentary
  • Multicultural Affairs and Media, with a $2,000 prize in partnership with Gandel Foundation; and
  • News Photograph
  • News Reporting in Writing
  • Podcasting
  • Radio Current Affairs
  • Radio News
  • Regional and Rural Journalism, with a $3,000 prize from sponsor Transport Accident Commission
  • Reporting on Disability Issues, with a $3,000 prize from sponsor Victorian Government
  • Scoop of the Year
  • Sports Feature
  • Sports News
  • Sports Photograph
  • TV Camera Work (Creative)
  • TV Camera Work (Shot of the Year)
  • TV/Video Feature
  • TV/Video News
  • Young Journalist of the Year, with a prize package including flights, accommodation, and a ticket to the 2023 IRE conference in Orlando, Florida sponsored by Wilnic Family Trust.

You can find entry criteria on our website.

The $7,500 Gold Quill, sponsored by University of Melbourne, will be awarded to the work judged best among category winners.

Apply to join the Melbourne Press Club

Membership is $100 for journalists, $150 for associate members and $40 for students.

Subscribe to our mailing list

Keep up to date with all our events, announcements and special offers.