By DANNY BUTTLER
IN MORE ways than one, Star News Group’s latest accolades have been about being in the right place at the right time.
The Berwick News, Cranbourne News and Pakenham News were all recognised for high standards of reporting, photography and production at last week’s Community Newspapers of Australia awards.
In the highly competitive Best Newspaper over 50,000 circulation category, the Berwick News was named runner-up to Progress Leader, while its Cranbourne News sister paper came third behind WA’s in the under 30,000 category, which was won by the Pakenham Gazette.
The national winner was WA’s Western Suburbs Weekly.
The Pakenham News was runner-up in the Best Adverting Feature section.
Star News Group managing director Paul Thomas said the performance by the News publications reflected the level of commitment shown by the entire staff.
“This is a wonderful reward for the hard work and dedication shown by our news team, who strive each week to make the News publications the best local papers in their respective regions,” he said.
“We are always looking for that right balance between investigative journalism that shines a light on serious issues in the local area and stories that celebrate the achievements of the wonderful communities in which we live.”
Bridget Cook’s achievement in winning the Best News Photo Australia-wide was made more remarkable considering she is a journalist, not a photographer.
The image of a rowdy member of the public being escorted from a Casey Council meeting was on-the-spot photography at its best, capturing the drama and energy of the moment.
The judge said the “adrenaline must have surged through Bridget Cook’s body as she took this picture … . a case of being in the right place at the right time.”
Mr Thomas said the News’ commitment to “on-the-spot” journalism ensured Bridget was right there to witness and capture this dramatic moment
“In some ways, Bridget’s great photo is what we are all about at Star News Group,” he said.
“By being in, out and about in the community all the time, we get the chance to experience first-hand what is happening – we hope we are in the ’right place at the right time’ every day of the week.”
“As for the photo itself, it was a superb piece of photo-journalism that Bridget should be warmly congratulated on.” The Pakenham News also was awarded third prize for Outstanding Design, while the Cranbourne News came third in the Special Publication category.
