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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-03-04 Daily Xml
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COUNTRY PRESS SA AWARDS

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:30): I rise today to speak about the Country Press SA Awards, which were held last Friday night at the Adelaide Town Hall. I was pleased on that occasion to represent the Leader of the Opposition in another place, Mr Martin Hamilton-Smith, and also to attend in my own right as a sponsor and judge. I acknowledge that the member for Light in another place represented the Premier.

I was delighted that this was the first event that Mr Ben Taylor, General Manager of the Murray Pioneer Group of newspapers, attended in his new role as President of the Country Press Association, having taken over earlier that day from Mr Michael Ellis, Managing Editor of the Yorke Peninsula Country Times. The Taylor family, of course, has been involved over several generations throughout the 97 years of the Country Press Association in this state. I am also delighted that Mrs Margaret Manuel, former editor of the Plains Producer, and also a former president and past executive officer of Country Press SA, was awarded life membership of that organisation.

The award that I sponsor, and on this occasion judged, is the community profile award. The spirit of this award is to acknowledge an interesting and well-written profile (life story) on a member of the entrant newspaper's community. First prize went to The Courier. This article on Bridgewater man Denis Noble was written by Judy Richards. It featured in the weekly 'In the spotlight' section dedicated to community profiles of local people. Denis is a Bridgewater-based architect, but his face and voice would be familiar to many South Australians through his long involvement in television, radio and film.

Judy's article captured the many and varied aspects of the life of Denis Noble, ranging from his professional performances in McLeod's Daughters to his voluntary work with amateur theatrical bodies, service clubs, and school and church bodies. Judy also presented an interesting and entertaining perspective on Denis's further wide-ranging interests, including his participation in hill climbs, painting watercolour scenes and a long-time dream to build a wooden boat. I note that Judy Richards was second in this award last year when it was judged by Mr Dick James.

Second prize went to The Loxton News. Pat Koopman's profile on Les Burgemeister demonstrated how the local mechanic had built a small business, based on his commitment to customers, dedication to his trade, trust and respect. Third prize went to The Recorder. This profile by Belinda Palmer of Port Pirie's Ted Mertens coincided with his 60th birthday. It outlines Ted's lifelong passion for snake-handling, described as a 'venomous hobby', which became far more than a recreational pursuit.

I will run through some of the other awards on the night. The best newspaper over 6,000 circulation went to The Courier at Mount Barker, from The Bunyip at Gawler and The Times at Victor Harbor. In the 2,500 to 6,000 category, the Murray Valley Standard was the winner for the 5th year in a row, ahead of the West Coast Sentinel and The Recorder. In the under 2,500 circulation, the Plains Producer at Balaklava was the winner, ahead of The Loxton News and The Islander on Kangaroo Island.

The best advertisement for image and branding went to The Times at Victor Harbor. The best advertisement for priced product went to the Northern Argus of Clare. The best advertising feature was awarded to the Port Lincoln Times, and the best supplement went to the Murray Valley Standard. The best news photograph was won by Amy Moran of The Flinders News. Graham Fischer of the Barossa & Light Herald won the category for best sports photograph. The Murray Pioneer won the award for best front page. The Islander was successful in the section for best editorial writing, and Genevieve Cooper of The Courier won the excellence in journalism category. I look forward to the Country Press Association conference at Renmark next year.

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