2009 Telstra BigPond
Rural Media Awards announced
South Australia's top rural journalists and photographers for 2009 have been recognised with the announcement of the Telstra BigPond Rural Media Awards.
Journalist Alisha Fogden (Stock Journal) and photographer Brenton Edwards (The Advertiser) are the 2009 Telstra BigPond Rural Media Journalist and Photographer of the Year. The function was hosted by Rural Media SA (RMSA) at the Adelaide Showground.
Entrants submitted a portfolio of work, published or broadcast in the 12 months to October 31st 2009. Prize money and trophies exceeding $6,500, were awarded to the recipients by Telstra Country Wide Customer Services Manager, Mr Lyndon Stoll.
"The importance of these awards cannot be understated, especially the role rural journalists and photographers play in bringing rural issues of state wide importance to the attention of all South Australians. These awards recognise the commitment and quality of work in reporting rural issues. Telstra is proud to play a part in providing recognition and encouragement for all rural journalists and photographers to continue this important work," Mr. Stoll said.
RMSA President Ian Doyle thanked Telstra BigPond for their significant support as major sponsor for the past 14 years. He also recognised Primary Industries SA (PIRSA), Rural Solutions SA, Porter Novelli Adelaide, Fruit Growers South Australia and the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society (RA & HS) for their valued supporting sponsorship.
"This year the journalism awards were expanded into sub sections of print, radio, television and online. This enhanced the competition and gave wider recognition of excellence before selection of the overall winner. Of particular merit was the depth of quality competition in the print medium, showing an extremely high level of skill in both researching key rural issues and writing them up as relevant, newsworthy and readable stories.
"In the photography competition the quality of work was again outstanding. This competition was also expanded giving photographers working across a range of styles and publications a greater chance of recognition.
"The judges of both competitions had a very difficult task in separating the winners from the field of very high standard entries. Overall the entries reflected a more positive outlook in rural communities, in line with improved seasonal conditions experienced in most areas of the state," Mr Doyle said.
2009 Telstra BigPond Rural Media Awards – Journalism
2009 Telstra BigPond Best Rural Print Journalist
Sponsored by Telstra BigPond
Winner - Alisha Fogden, Stock Journal
Highly Commended - Nigel Austin, The Advertiser
2009 Telstra BigPond Best Rural Radio Journalist
Sponsored by Porter Novelli Adelaide
Winner - Annabelle Homer & Drew Radford, ABC Rural Radio
Highly Commended - Nance Haxton, ABC Radio
2009 Telstra BigPond Best Rural Television Journalist
Sponsored by Telstra BigPond
Winner - Kerry Straight, ABC TV
2009 Telstra BigPond Best Rural On-Line Journalist
Sponsored by Telstra BigPond
Winner - Ian Doyle, Doyle Media Services
2009 Telstra BigPond Rural Journalist of the Year
Sponsored by Telstra BigPond
Winner – Alisha Fogden, Stock Journal
About the winner – 2009 Journalist of the Year
Alisha Fogden is a Loxton farm girl with an obvious eye for key rural issues. After completing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Communication Studies at the University of South Australia, she worked with the Murray Pioneer in the Riverland and the Border Times in the South Australian Mallee. Two years ago, Alisha became a print journalist with the Stock Journal.
The Judging Panel was impressed with her fresh approach to the three stories submitted. Her ability to identify the real issues behind the superficial story was particularly highlighted in an article focused on the launch of "Kangaroo Island Pure Grain". By taking the trouble to attend the launch, rather than rely on embellishing a supplied media release, or doing journalism down-the-phone, Alisha discovered an undisclosed partnership between the group and a Japanese crushing company.
The intense competition within her Rural Journalist Print Award category has already been highlighted. However, the level of her journalistic expertise, insight and commitment shone through in all her work to make her a very worthy overall winner of the 2009 Telstra BigPond Rural Journalist of the Year award.
2009 Telstra BigPond Rural Media Awards – Photography
2009 Telstra BigPond Best Rural Photographer - Production
Sponsored by PIRSA
Winner: Kelly Barnes, The Australian
2009 Telstra BigPond Best Rural Photographer – People
Sponsored by Telstra BigPond
Winner: Brenton Edwards, The Advertiser
2009 Telstra BigPond Best Rural Photographer – Nature/Landscape
Sponsored by Fruit Growers SA
Winner: Sarah Reed, The Advertiser
2009 Telstra BigPond Rural Photographer of the Year
Sponsored by Telstra BigPond
Winner: Brenton Edwards, The Advertiser
About the winner – 2009 Photographer of the Year
Brenton began his career as a cadet with The Advertiser, where he works today as a senior photographer and as the Sunday picture editor. In 22 years as a professional photographer, he has worked at The Times newspaper in London and covered assignments in Europe, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea. He has won several awards for his work, including the 2006 best photographer in the South Australian Media Awards and the 2007 Commonwealth Press Union Photographic Awards in London.
The judges believed Brenton to be a very worthy recipient of the Rural Photographer of the Year award because of his outstanding collection of images depicting the diversity, emotion, challenges and rewards of rural life. The quality of the images presented was excellent with each image displaying a real connection between Brenton and the subject of his photos.
In the past five years, Brenton has achieved three second places and two third places in these awards, further demonstrating his consistency and commitment to rural photography.
2009 Best Adelaide Show Story Award
Sponsored by RA & HS
Winner - Miranda Kenny, Stock Journal
About the winner:
Miranda's winning entry focused on how the Royal Adelaide Show was able to turn the potential negative of having all its pig exhibits cancelled due to Swine Flu during the "Centenary Year of Pig Exhibition at the Royal", into a positive. She highlighted the presence of a feature pig-oriented sideshow style act involving diving and racing pigs in a special quarantine zone at the 2009 Royal Show. Miranda put a unique angle on the story and made sure the Royal Adelaide Show was the central feature. It was a well written story with a very positive focus.
2009 Best Adelaide Show Photograph Award
Sponsored by RA & HS
Winner: Brenton Edwards, The Advertiser
About the winner:
Brenton's winning photograph depicts vision-impaired 4-year-old, Mattias McCarthy touching a tiny chicken for the first time, while watched by his mother Lydia. The judges believed the image captured the essence of the show, where the country meets the city for a week of experience, discovery and learning more about agriculture.
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