PIP Courtney's in-depth examination of agriculture's defining topic of the age - social licence - proved the winning entry at this year's Rural Press Club of Queensland's media awards.
Award judges described the entry comprising of three segments broadcast on ABC TV's Landline as being a well told, balanced and thought-provoking series which made a valuable contribution to the ag sector's understanding of a major challenge it now confronted.
Runner up in the television section was Anna Daniels and her engaging colour piece 'Hebel Hero', which was broadcast on Channel 10's popular infotainment program The Project.
Print winner was InQueensland journalist Brad Cooper, who highlighted efforts to unlock the potential of grazing land to supply timber for construction during a period of undersupply, and how, despite backing from the agriculture and building sectors, a lack of government will was stifling progress.
Queensland Country Life's Sally Gall was print's runner up with her substantive volume of reporting titled 'Sleeping Rough', which focused a frustrating and concerning issue affecting rural education.
Marian Faa came up trumps in radio with her piece 'Taro Food of the Gods', broadcast on ABC Asia Pacific and the Queensland Country Hour. The story centred on local research in the race to find salt tolerant varieties of the root vegetable to help Pacific island communities deal with the challenges of climate change.
Runner up was the ABC's Eric Barker (now Beef Central) and his piece on irrigation on the Finders River.
The rural digital media award went to Jayne Cuddihy's 'What's Your Beef' podcasts produced for Beef Australia, the nation's most important beef event hel every three years in Rockhampton.
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