NEWS journalist Bridget Cook has again been named a national award winner at the Community Newspapers Australia Awards.
On Friday night, Bridget was awarded Best News Story for her front page article on two mothers who went ‘undercover’ to try and expose a sex party being advertised for swingers at a Cranbourne play centre.
Judges said Bridget’s story demonstrated the relevance of powerful, incisive reporting and her entry stood out in a strong field of entries.
She was awarded the National Award last year for Best News Photo.
The Berwick News was also named runner-up in the Best Newspaper (circulation over 50,000) category.
Other Star News Group mastheads and reporters were also recognised at the awards.
The Pakenham Gazette was named the Best Newspaper (circulation under 30,000), and also took out the national award in that category.
Judges applauded the Gazette’s use of quality photography and thoughtful journalism as the reasons why the paper was so successful.
Beating other community newspapers across the country, the Gazette’s well researched features were described as well-presented. The judges said other areas of the paper including real estate, motoring and classified sections enhanced the overall package.
Group Editor Garry Howe’s comment piece on the media’s intrusive behaviour towards the Blackwood family after the murder of Pakenham mother of three Kylie Blackwood was also awarded the Peter Isaacson Memorial award for Best Editorial.
Judges said his editorial was both poignant and courageous and deserving of the winner’s title.
The Dandenong Journal was named Best Newspaper (circulation over 50,000), with judges commending the paper on its very strong journalism ethic and great commitment to the community.
