QCPA 2024 Media Excellence Awards

May 24, 2024 | QCPA Awards

2024 Award Winners 

Best One off or Regular Commercial Feature

Judge: Rohan Gosstray

Overall Judges Comments 

There were many examples of good commercial features that added both colour and diversity to the publications they appeared in. Most newspapers capitalised on specific events that were of interest to the reader that offered good environments for their advertisers to advertise in.

All features demonstrated a commitment to quality writing and design with excellent pictures supporting the event or subject being reviewed. It was clear that an effort was made to make sure the content was made of high quality and supported the publication it appeared in.

Winner - Mackay and Whitsunday Life - Fergus Builders Celebrate 40 Years

Best Locally Produced Print Advertisement

Judge: Andrea Graham

Overall Judges Comments

There are so many great adverts in this category. It is very pleasing to see the creative minds of sales teams and graphics designers working together to produce eye-catching adverts for their clients.

Some of you thought outside the square in design and content, which is lovely to see and as a result you came up with some really engaging adverts. Others were also engaging and to the point with all the details required for a good advert. 

Winner - Coolum Advertiser - Coolum Bowls Come and Try 

2nd Place - Bundaberg Today - Rum and Sub

This is an enticing offer for the Bundaberg Today readers, particularly if you enjoy Bundaberg Rum Ball. The team have ticked off on all the terms and conditions and requirements surrounding promotion and distribution of alcohol. The heading, graphics and the offer are all very clear to the reader and the layout is on point. Perhaps the bonus offer may have been controversial to some readers but a novel idea to use a local product to sell your own product. 

Well done to the team at Bundaberg Today. Let’s hope the subscriptions rolled in for you.

3rd Place - Ipswich News Today - Ippy Song Sheet

As soon as you see this advert you are ”Singing I I Ippy Ippy I” - even from a Victorian. This is a very clever local promotion. It leaves the tune in your subconscious, reminding you of the upcoming game for the Maroons. This advert shows a sense of passion and humour from the Today team, which no doubt then engaged the same feeling from their readers. The advert is easy to read and states when the event is. The layout was strong and clean with simple but effective messaging. I’m not so sure too many editions would have made it to the event seeing the song has so few words to remember, but I could be wrong. Just an ’s’ missing on INSTRUCTIONS as there are more than one listed, but overall the advert has huge impact. Well done to Fiona and the creative team at Ipswich News Today. II Ippy!

Best Locally Produced Print Campaign

Judge: Andrea Graham

Overall Judges Comments

The majority of advertisements in this category were high quality. The top ten showed they know what is required in a good advertising campaign. There are some quality adverts in this category. Some were quirky while some had great call to action with great graphics. 

It is great to see the sales teams teaming up with their graphics colleagues to produce quality adverts. You don’t always have to pack a load of information into an advert, but sometimes you do. Your challenge is to work out when to and when not to. 

Winner - Burdekin Life - My Pets

3rd Place - Cairns Local News – New isn't always better

This is a very quirky and colourful series of adverts for Ree's Bookshop. The message that reading is fun for all ages is portrayed well across each advert. The images used here for a secondhand bookstore were cute and quirky in this series which is fitting for the messaging in each advert.

Unique one liner headings also change up in each of the adverts. The colours in this series would not always work in other adverts but for this store I think they are perfect. Well done to Carl and the eam at Cairn Local News. 

Best Printed Community Advertising Promotion

Judge: Pascale Budge

Overall Judges Comments

In this category all entrants showcased their commitment to the local communities, resulting in some very competitive entries. The time and effort that was put into these promotions was reflected in the ads and editorial. The standard through the category was generally high.

Winner - My Weekly Preview – It feels good to be seen

2nd Place - Glasshouse Country & Maleny News – Maleny Show 100 years

This campaign is a fantastic reflection on what an agriculture show is all about. The layout is eye catching, fun, colourful and very informative for anyone who plans on or is thinking about attending the Maleny Show.

Supported by a strong ad campaign, impacting front cover and very interesting editorial. Congratulations.

3rd Place - Cairns Local News – Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal

This campaign showcased a very worthy cause, two Five Star Chef Charity events raising money for the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal. The advertising consisted of eye-catching graphics reflecting the event themes, clearly laid out information and easy to book QR code. 

Supported by well written editorial outlining the Charity’s goals. I think both the campaign and events would have been very successful. Congratulations. 

Best Printed House Advertisement or Promotion

Judge: Pascale Budge

Overall Judges Comments

There was a wide range of entries/topics in this category focusing on many different types of engagement between the Newspaper and their readers. A strong field of targeted promotions was evident. I would have liked to have seen statistics on how successful they all were. 

Winner - Bundaberg Today - Welcome to Paradise - Subscribe to Win an Island Escape

3rd Place - QC Today Weekend - Christmas Hams

A great promotion to engage with readers. Offering up 20 Christmas Hams vouchers to be won, this ad was eye catching and easy to read. Congratulations. 

Best ROP Feature / Supplement

Judge: Rohan Gosstray

Overall Judges Comments

Some of these features were a unique event and the writers made a quite obvious effort to be creative in the body copy and headlines making the features bright and fun. This ultimately enhanced the publications they were appearing in.

In particular, the "Bundy's Best Brew" could be utilised in any market in any region and containing alot of local faces that people would recognise and enjoy reading about. A particular note 'Avo good time' and 'guac your socks off' in the Avocado Festival' headlines and body copy clearly added some creativity to the publication. 

Winner - Burnett Today - Blackbutt Avocado Festival 2023

3rd Place - Ipswich News Today - Wedding Guide 2023

A very well-presented guide with useful sections for the prospects and interesting and well written stories (high quality native advertising). Well designed, informative and easy to read. An excellant example of a guide relevant to all markets. 

Best Special Publication

Judge: Rob Duffield

Overall Judges Comments

The growing maturity, confidence, health, wellbeing and abundant drive of Queensland regional news media shown through powerfully in entries submitted to this sought after category award. 

Just a slither separated the top entries with one point separating seven entries. The Bundaberg Today took out the overall award with its beautiful Today magazine. The publication layout and structure was exemplary with page headings, editorials and photography purposefully designed to lift the aspirations and spirit across the cities community. The highly commended publication entries numbered six with Better Beef Days produced by The Express nearly snaring the overall prize. The Core Logic, My Suburb Preview published by My Weekly, Boonah State High School Formal 2023 (Such beautiful photography), published by The Fassifern Guardian, Gympie Today’s, Living Well, Bridal Guide 2023 from Burnett Today and The Rocky Nat News produced by CQ Today were all superb entries. Congratulations to all publishers for entering. It was a privilege to judge this category. 

Winner - Bundaberg Today - Today Magazine

3rd Place - My Weekly Preview - My Suburb Magazine

Such a unique special publication based around CoreLogic data on Suburb Profiles. An out of the box feature targeted to all existing, prospective people in the booming Queensland markets served of My Weekly readers/ subscribers. Looks to be full of full of paid advertising too. 

Best Editorial Campaign

Judge: Dr Julie Browning

Overall Judges Comments

All the editorial campaigns are comprehensive and engaging, which made deciding the overall editorial campaign winner challenging. These campaigns provide a rich tapestry of perspectives on a specific issue. With each campaign, the depth of analysis demonstrates a commitment to informing and enlightening the community readership. The campaign coverage is compelling, making complex subjects accessible to a broad audience. Keep up the excellent work in serving your community with high-quality journalism.

2nd Place - Glasshouse Country & Maleny News
- Community opposition to the Transport and Main roads (TMR) proposal to run a Highway through Elimbah and surrounding townships. 

The Glass House Country and Maleny News effectively reflects community opposition to a proposed bypass and the potential acquisition of homes. Through its coverage, the newspaper amplifies the local resistance to the road project, providing insightful interviews from key stakeholders. This reporting not only raises awareness but also empowers residents. The coverage demonstrates the paper's deep connection and engagement with its community. Overall, strong reporting on a local issue. 

3rd Place - The Lockyer & Somerset Independent - Agricultural Society's Showgirl and Rural Ambassador programs 

The Lockyer & Somerset Independent champions a cause that has deeply resonated with rural communities for generations. Its coverage is key in campaigning for the enduring vitality of agricultural shows, and illustrates the indispensable role The Independent plays in seeking to uphold the identity and dynamism of its community. Through its spotlight on individuals, the reporting celebrates the positive impact of rural ambassadors and showgirls, emphasising their contributions. Congratulations to all involved. 

Journalistic Excellence for an Individual Journalist

Judge: Celine Foenander

Overall Judges Comments

What is excellence? In this case, it’s consistency in quality storytelling and news gathering. It’s not a ‘single story’ but the all-round experience and endeavour of an individual journalist – the ability to find the angle no one has discovered or ask the questions our community want answered.

‘Excellence’ is a work in progress. It’s what drives us to do better and be better. Regardless of your experience as a journalist, excellence is always something to strive for. 

Winner - Brian Bennion - The Ipswich Tribune

3rd Place - Sonia Isaacs - Glasshouse Country & Maleny News

Extensive series, clearly written with more to come. Maintain pressure on government and the proponents for clear communication with local people - not just their preferred ’talking points’.

3rd Place - Julian Lehnert - Burnett Today

Consistently high standard from this journalist. 

Best Marketing Campaign

Judge: Rob Duffield

Winner - Bundaberg Today

Best Overall Journalistic Team Excellence Award

Judges: Alison McAdam & Kristy Hess

Overall Judges Comments

The entries in this category highlighted the breadth and depth of local news coverage provided to Queenslanders. It was interesting to see the variety of formats these newspapers had adopted, from traditional tabloid to glossy magazine, and the experimentation in paper stock and layout elements. The standout mastheads were those that provided consistent news coverage across topics, showed leadership via an editorial, were visually attractive and gave their audiences an opportunity to engage. We also noted the high-quality, national award-winning journalism in some instances.

Winner - Cairns Local News

Best Single Story by an Individual Journalist

Judge: Celine Foenander

Overall Judges Comments

A popular category with more than 70 entries from journalists of all levels and publications large and small. 

The entries which received the highest scores displayed sound journalistic principles – the basics – including a strong lead, fair and balanced reporting, multiple sources, good grammar and sentence structure. Most importantly, the storytelling was engaging. 

Overall though, every journalist who entered this category showed a connection to and a respect for their community – incredibly encouraging at a time when clickbait, inaccurate reporting and social media ‘likes’ dominate. 

Winner - Hero of Ukraine - Jessica McGrath – Burnett Today

3rd Place - Bremer Bridge Cracks - Byron Peszko - Ipswich News Today

Thank you for pushing the pollies on this. If the first response doesn’t address the issue, ask again. 

3rd Place - Chef from TAFE - Lucy Waldron - Warwick Today

Really love Lucy’s writing. This could easily have been a run-of-the-mill profile piece but to blend life and work in this way is pretty clever.

3rd Place - Rural GPs win Federal review -Rob Mellett - The Ipswich Tribune

Great follow-up which could potentially lead to a win for rural communities. 

Young Journalist of the Year

Judge: Dr Julie Browning

Overall Judges Comments

Congratulations to everyone. The standard of reporting is high which made judging to determine the young journalist of the year very difficult. From the compelling storytelling to the attention to facts, the young journalists have demonstrated a talent for reporting. All entrants shine a light on important issues, coupled with a commitment to integrity and ethical reporting. All possess not only a passion for uncovering community stories but also a dedication to giving voice to a range of local views. The reports are examples of the power of journalism to inform, educate, and inspire change. Well done to all.

Winner - Jeremy Cook - Warwick Today

3rd Place - Jesse Hamilton - The Lockyer & Somerset Independent

These cogent articles explore the profound repercussions of flooding on communities, shedding light on both the immediate and enduring challenges associated with building on floodplains. The poignant story of an aged-care centre facing closure amid recurring flooding events illustrates the human dimension to the issue. Jesse's reports exemplify his adeptness in research, interviewing, and writing — essential elements of robust journalism. Congratulations Jesse. 

Best Community Portrait

Judge: Dany Weus

Overall Judges Comments

Very interesting entries, quite good pictures but only a few were outstanding in my opinion. The winner was easy to choose, an unforgettable image by Lyle Radford of the Ipswich Tribune, ‘Lest We Forget’. 

Great image, incredible technique to capture a flying dove and the man with outstretched hands, giving freedom to the bird of peace with the RSL logo in the background. Wow! In my view, an extremely hard shot to beat. 

Second place went to Mitch Gaynor of the Glass House & Maleny Country for “Growing Minds”. I did like the setting and the great expression of the joy of discovery from the two girls, a happy, feel-good pic. 

Lyle Radford of the Fassifern Guardian, again was showing his skill as a top photographer with his beautiful picture of a field of sunflowers before sunset with the two women walking away. “Crowd Pleaser Of A Million Sunflowers” is a superb photo. Very little separated all three entries. 

3rd Place - The Fassifern Guardian - Crowd Pleaser by Lyle Radford

Beautiful picture, a sea of flowers, with the mountains on the horizon, great peaceful feeling. I love the two women walking in the field, away from the camera, perfect.

Best News Picture

Judge: Dany Weus

Overall Judges Comments

The level of quality of the news pics was quite good, but, few did stand out. Every year, a photographer has to do a news pic for “back-to-school day”. So, every year, the photographer has to scratch his head to come up with a new idea. This year, Kirra Livingstone from Glasshouse Country & Maleny News came up with a great picture, with the kids running towards the camera with big smiles on their faces. Beautifully done, tight shot, well framed, good lighting and very sharp, best picture.

The second photo, “Lighting the Path To Safety” taken by Shane Zahner of Gympie Today, was a moody and moving pic that shone the light on domestic violence in a peaceful way.

The third pic, taken by Lyle Radford of the Ipswich Tribune, was a very well-organised pic of the Red Rebel protesters against a development on an Aboriginal Site mission in the middle of Ipswich, all dressed in red around a sign written in red. Good impact news pic.

Winner- Glasshouse Country & Maleny News - 2024 preppies super excited to be back at school by Kirra Livingstone

Best Sports Picture

Judge: Dany Weus

Overall Judges Comments

The entries in the sport section were of a very high standard and it was very difficult to choose a winner, second and third. I went through the entries many times. There were many amazing sport action pictures, technically perfect, so very hard to score, especially with a full point system. Half a point would have made the job easier. 

 In the end, the impact, the feeling of the image became important, especially between the first and second. I chose “Wrestle it down” by Andrew Guiver of Gympie Today, as the winner. The pic was awesome. The eye of the beast and the rodeo man holding the horn on the ground with a cloud of dust, was maybe the best rodeo shot I have seen. Second place went to Lyle Radford of the Fassifern Guardian. His rugby league pic was perfect too, very little separated them. Third placegetter, “Tunnel of Pride” by Liam Emerson of CQ Weekend Today, was a very innovative pic, a feel good one, not an action shot but a clever idea and angle of view showing the football supporters’ joy with their favourite.

3rd Place - CQ Today Weekend - Tunnel of pride by Liam Emerton

Very interesting photograph, very innovative idea about the angle of the shot. You can see all the supporters' faces, their smiles and their excitement about being close to the players. Great picture. 

Best Free Newspaper

Judges: Peter Owen and Terry Quinn

Overall Judges Comments

Some entries allowed too much rein to the opinions of politicians and the activities of councils and governments. That may be as ‘easy kill’ for busy journalists seeking to fill space, but it doesn’t necessarily produce compelling newspapers, or satisfied readers.

Those publications that scored most heavily reflected the real interests of their community, favoured shorter stories, carried pictures of people going about their lives, published columns from contributors with something interesting to say, encouraged reader comments, and covered grassroots sport because they know many of their readers play bowls, golf, bridge and netball. As an old editor once said: ‘The secret of success for a good community paper is to have readers write half of it for you.’

None of this year’s entrants did all of that. But several gave it a good shake. And, by and large, the product of their endeavours showed their bigger, better resourced paid-for papers a thing or two.

Winner - Mackay/Whitsunday Life

2nd Place - My Weekly Preview

Uplifting – that’s the feeling you get reading this news magazine. You won’t find stories about axe murderers in My Weekly Preview, but you will get a good mix of news, features, columnists and stories about ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things. It’s bright, easy to read, well presented and illustrated with excellent photographs. The magazine began life as a property publication and, not surprisingly, its property coverage remains first-class. It would benefit from a Letters to the Editor section, and its sport section is virtually non-existent. But My Weekly Preview is essential reading for a large number of Sunshine Coast readers, who appreciate the advertising as much as the editorial.

3rd Place - Lockyer & Somerset Independent

This is a very well-produced weekly newspaper – neat, tidy with lots of short, concisely written stories that give readers the impression that no space is wasted and that lots of issues are covered. The sport section is modest, but there is a focus on grassroots sport with a page devoted to golf, bowls, cricket and touch footy results. Great care is given to the layout of the paper, with a consistently efficient design that helps a reader easily navigate each page, the eye travelling inevitably from the main story to the secondary items and, finally, to the leg of briefs that appear on most pages. As you’d expect from a publication that serves Gatton and surrounding farming districts, there is a strong rural content, comprising both stories and pictures. 

Best Paid Newspaper

Judges: Peter Owen and Terry Quinn

Overall Judges Comments

The challenge for most entrants is an obvious one – how to balance the economic reality of meagre editorial resources with the need to present a weekly publication that not only carries the news and views of an entire region, but occasionally hopes to surprise and delight its readers.

The journalists, whose work we reviewed in these entries, have responded remarkably well to that challenge – striving valiantly to cover their region. But, when you have a team of two or three journalists charged with producing copy to fill as many as 84 pages, concessions have to be made – stories too long, reliance on sources that are willing and easy to find (politicians, councillors, mayors etc, and a tad too much generic material.

Perhaps – and this may seem incongruous coming from a judging panel of former editors whose never-ending gripe was a lack of space – publishers might consider tightening the book, reducing the number of pages, and encouraging tighter writing and more compelling content.

One final thought on the front pages: generally, the pointers and promotions were small and unexciting. To persuade readers to pay up to $3.50 for a paper, every opportunity should be taken to ‘sell’ the content. Advertisers pay a premium to be on Page 1. Editors get it for nothing. We urge them to treat Page 1 as a big, beautiful advertisement for their paper. 

Winner - The Ipswich Tribune

2nd Place - CQ Today/Weekend

Stories are generally too long, but this paper certainly strives to cover the news of the day. Community events are well promoted in a diary format and local sport is well covered – largely by a band of correspondents who know their subject intimately. While there is a healthy batch of readers’ letters (always a good sign), there are too many opinion pieces from politicians. The bi-weekly CQ Today had lots of excellent generic material, including a comprehensive TV guide and a detailed racing guide on weekends.

3rd Place - Fassifern Guardian

This is a neat, well presented weekly with excellent front pages and a comprehensive coverage of news, sport and agriculture which, of course, is so important to the area. Refreshingly, there is a strong focus on stories about real people – not just politicians and business leaders. The absence of a forum for Letters to the Editor is the only let-down. The design is attractive and reader-friendly and the photos are compelling. Local sport is well covered. A paper that’s survived for 123 years must be doing something right for its community. 

Best Online Digital Presence

Judges: Alison McAdam & Kristy Hess

Overall Judges Comments

The standout entries in this category were focused on providing a relevant online presence for a digital audience. They had their own website at the heart of their digital strategy, using social media and analytics to drive audiences to their online news offering.