Top newspaper award for Gazette
The Warragul Drouin Gazette has received the Overall Newspaper Excellence award at the annual Victorian Country Press Association Awards for the second consecutive year.
The Gazette won the award in the over 6000 circulation category, which is the highest circulation category for country newspapers.
Newspapers were judged on the best overall appearance and appeal in layout, commitment to community news and sport, quality of advertising and editorial, both written and photographic, and the ability to shape public opinion and show community leadership.
The award is judged on three editions of the newspaper. The three editions submitted by The Gazette were March 27, May 1 and May 8.
Judge Alan Pont said the Gazette had a strong commitment to its community with its paging and content representing value to its readers.
Mr Pont described it as a “comprehensive product offering excellent value for the cover price.”
“Every front page has three pointers promoting the content while many pages have short news briefs which provide additional variety to hold the reader on the page.
“The issue of “Where’s the funding” campaign for the local hospital is an area which is of concern to all readers was spread across the three editions of the paper.
“Sporting coverage was detailed, enhanced by numerous action sporting photographs.
“Runs of press advertising and the classifieds, the trade directory’s Here’s My Card and positions vacant were well supported.”
The Gazette also received three highly commended and commended awards in the photography sections.
In the best news photo category, a photograph “Coloured Bales” by Michael Robinson was awarded a highly commended.
Judge Bob Mackie said it was a “strongly structured photograph of a farmer and his grandchildren with a stack of 180 tri-coloured bales, with each bale representing fundraising for three cancer research organisations. The photographer chose a strong angle and framing which was retained on the newspaper’s front page.”
Lauren Murphy’s news photo “Back from the Dead” was awarded a commended. Mr Mackie described it as a “beautiful and unaffected photograph which captures the love of a couple who cheated death.”
Lauren also received a highly commended in the best photo study section for her photograph “Dawn reflection.”
“Using the Anzac Day dawn ceremony’s soft natural lighting, this photo lives up to its dawn reflection title and the reader can’t help but wonder what the subject (RSL member Ron Blair) is thinking. Nicely shot under available light which gives a glow and sense of thought and reflection to the image and nicely used on the paper’s front page,” Mr Mackie said.
In the advertising categories, The Gazette received a highly commended for best print ad.
The advertisement for Warragul Bedding’s “massive clearance” was sold by general manager Andrew Schreyer and designed by Mark Spencer.
Judge Darren Robinson said the advertisement demanded the readers’ attention and “communicates instantly which is a huge benefit.”
“A strong, genuine offer appears bold and urgency is achieved through a three day offer.
The Gazette also was highly commended for its Home Design feature in the best advertising feature award section.
Judge Greg Watson said “strong advertising supported by commercial business articles gained this feature additional points for strong advertising and revenue generation.”
The awards were announced and presented at a VCPA function in Melbourne on Friday night.