Queensland Country Life was on Wednesday night announced as the Newspaper of the Year in the regional non-daily category at the annual PANPA awards in Sydney.
The most prestigious newspaper and digital awards in the Australasian region, attracting entries from across Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Asia, this is the second time in three years that QCL has collected the coveted trophy.
Speaking from Sydney, editor Penelope Arthur said it was an absolute privilege to accept the award on behalf of the team.
“This is recognition of the hard work of everyone in our team, from the journalists who travel the state, to our sales reps, administration staff and our amazing print team,” she said.
“QCL has had a brilliant year, achieving some really big gains online, while still continuing our 80 year tradition of keeping rural Queensland entertained and informed through our printed paper each week.
“I would especially like to thank the readers who continue to buy and value our paper or read our stories on our webpage – you are the reason we go to work each day.”
Queensland Country Life’s sister publication in NSW, The Land was also a finalist for the award and group managing editor of Agricultural Publishing, Brad Cooper, said QCL was pushed very hard by The Land, which won the same category last year.
“A PANPA award is one of highest accolades in news media,” he said.
"When Queensland Country Life readers pick up their newspaper today or click on our website for their news, they will be reading not only Australia's, but the Asia Pacific's best media service in the regional non-daily category.
"While it is called newspaper of the year, a large part of the criteria is weighted towards digital presentation, both online and on social media.
"It's incredibly pleasing that the judges have recognised QCL's consistent performance in this space, delivering news on average to more than 135,000 unique visitors to the site every month.”
Mr Cooper congratulated editor Penelope Arthur and her hard working team spread throughout the state, who don’t get to see each other very often.
“I know they'll be celebrating and connecting with each other over social media. They should feel very proud and know that that they share equally in QCL's ongoing success,” he said.
Fairfax Media took out 16 PANPA awards in all, including:
Daily newspaper of the year
- Regional - Newcastle Herald
Digital news site of the year
- National / Metropolitan - Australian Financial Review
- Regional - Newcastle Herald
- Community - The Maitland Mercury
Non-daily newspaper of the year
- Regional - Queensland Country Life
Photography (portrait)
- National / Metropolitan – Wild Side, Rohan Thomson, The Canberra Times (tied with News Corp)
Sport
- Community - Ray Karaitiana, Marta Juanola, Mandurah Mail, Fairfax Media
News
- Community - May the Fourth Be with You, Isabella Lettini, Parramatta Sun
- National / Metropolitan - Philippine Drug Wars, Kate Geraghty, The Sydney Morning Herald
Environment
- Wasp Wipeout, Nelson Mail, Fairfax Media
Technical excellence (double-width)
- Community - The Yass Tribune, Canberra Print Centre
- Regional - The Land, North Richmond Print Centre
Print centre of the year
- Canberra Print Centre, Fairfax Media
Hegarty Scholarship
- Emily Sweet, Australian Community Media
Digital
- Best Niche / Specialty App or Microsite (Open) - China’s Operation Australia, theage.com.au
- Digital Publishing Innovation of the Year (Open) - Private Business, Public Failure, Stuff Circuit, stuff.co.nz
The full 2017 Newspaper of the Year awards winners list can be found here.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
