MEDIA  RELEASE  

STRICTLY  EMBARGOED  UNTIL  10.30PM,  August  10,  2012  

FAIRFAX  SCOOPS  THE  POOL  AT  INAUGURAL  KENNEDY  AWARDS  

FAIRFAX  journalists  have  scooped  the  pool  of  major  honours  in  the  inaugural  Kennedy  Awards  for  Excellence  in  NSW  Journalism.  

The  awards  were  held  at  the  Four  Seasons  Hotel  last  night,  on  the  first  anniversary  of  the  death  of  

legendary  crime  reporter  Les  Kennedy,  who  worked  at  the  Sydney  Morning  Herald  and  the  Sun-­‐Herald  until  his  death.  

The  Fairfax  Media  winners  were:  

Outstanding  News  Photo,  sponsored  by  Destination  NSW  

Jacky  Ghossein,  The  Sydney  Morning  Herald  

The  judges  described  Jacky’s  entry  as  “a  world  class  image  worthy  of  a  grand  award.”  The  frame  is  forceful  and  yet  tender.  Perfect  lighting  and  crisp  composition  are  complimented  by  a  simple  message  of  sorrow  which  sombrely  leads  the  emotional  storyline.  According  to  one  judge  ...many  photographers  have  traversed  Africa  and  failed  to  scale  these  heights.”    Outstanding  Portrait    Tamara  Dean,  The  Sydney  Morning  Herald    The  Judges  said  Tamara’s  skilfully  constructed  and  delicately  detailed  portrait  is  a  delight  to  consume.  Perfectly  arranged  and  masterfully  lit,  a  beautiful  example  of  shooting  what  one  sees,  perfectly    -­‐  in  a  creation  of  classical  portrait  photography.    Outstanding  Online  Video  

Alex  Ellinghausen,  The  Sydney  Morning  Herald  

Most  Outstanding  Columnist,  the  Peter  Ruehl  Award  

Heath  Aston,  The  Sun-­‐Herald  

Heath  Aston  was  praised  by  the  judges  for  his  witty  and  hard-­‐hitting  columns  ranging  from  report  cards  for  NSW  ministers  to  smoking  ban  exemptions  for  high-­‐roller  gamblers.  He’s  a  dedicated  fan  of  

Peter  Ruehl  and  he’s  starting  to  write  like  him.  We  can  think  of  no  higher  accolade  than  this  award.  

Outstanding  Online  News  Breaking  

Paul  Bibby,  The  Sydney  Morning  Herald  

The  judges  praised  Paul  Bibby  for  his  patience,  sticking  it  out  in  court  long  after  most  other  journos  had  left  –  and  gaining  a  crucial  advantage  when  the  court  made  its  shock  decision  setting  Jeffrey  Gilham  free.  With  backgrounders  ready  to  go,  the  paper  was  well  placed  to  start  running  coverage  -­‐  even  more  so  when  Bibby  tracked-­‐down  the  celebrating  family  down  -­‐  and  he  even  nabbed  himself  a  photo  byline  for  the  image  of  Gilham  with  champagne  glass  in  hand.    

Outstanding  Court  Reporting  

Paul  Bibby,  The  Sydney  Morning  Herald  

On  what  began  as  an  even  playing  field  Paul  blitzed  his  opposition  in  breaking  the  dramatic  collapse  

of  the  prosecution  case  against  Jeffrey  Gilham  in  the  court  of  appeal.  The  judges  commended  Paul  for  his  tenacity  in  remaining  in  court  to  get  the  scoop,  break  it  online  and  write  the  front  page  story  accompanied  by  an  exclusive  photo.  His  dominance  of  this  big  story  continued  online  with  his  video  

report  on  the  Gilham  family’s  celebration  at  a  city  hotel.  

Scoop  of  the  Year  

Kate  McClymont,  The  Sydney  Morning  Herald  

39  The  judges  found  all  entries  in  this  category  to  be  outstanding  examples  of  gutsy  –  in  your  face  journalism  -­‐  making  a  real  difference/  Kate  McClymont’s  has  been  tireless  in  uncovering  alleged  fraud  within  the  Health  Services  Union  and  this  full  blooded  scoop  on  alleged  credit  card  abuse  by  CRAIG  THOMPSON  and  MICHAEL  WILLIAMSON  ticked  all  the  boxes.    Most  Outstanding  Illustration  

John  Shakespeare,  The  Sydney  Morning  Herald  

Most  Outstanding  Investigative  Reporting  

Kate  McClymont,  The  Sydney  Morning  Herald  

P&O  Cruises  New  South  Wales  Journalist  of  the  Year  

Kate  McClymont,  The  Sydney  Morning  Herald  

The  judges  said  Kate  McClymont's  powerful  body  of  work  puts  her  at  the  forefront  of  investigative  journalism  in  this  country..that  her  work  is  proof  that  great  journalism  will  always  have  an  audience  and  a  value  in  the  fast-­‐changing  world  of  ubiquitous  information.”  In  a  star-­‐studded  field  of  media  heavyweights,  Kate  McClymont’s  prolific  portfolio  has  been  thoroughly  forensic  and  fearless  -­‐  shining  a  light  wherever  she  digs  -­‐  while  always  true  to  her  profession  in  the  pursuit  of  truth.  

Media Enquiries REBECCA RICHARDSON 0413 130 400  kennedyawards@gmail.com

www.kennedyawards.com.au

See below for a full list of the winners

Most Outstanding Regional Reporting - the Paul Lockyer Award

The Daily Advertiser, Wagga Wagga

Most Outstanding Crime Reporting

Yoni Bashan, The Sunday Telegraph

Racing Writer of the Year, sponsored by the Australian Turf Club

Phil Rothfield, The Daily Telegraph

Outstanding Radio Reporting - the Sean Flannery Award

Catherine Clifford, ABC Tamworth

Outstanding Radio Current Affairs

Ray Hadley, 2GB

Outstanding News Photo, sponsored by Destination NSW

Jacky Ghossein, The Sydney Morning Herald

Outstanding Portrait Tamara Dean, The Sydney Morning Herald Outstanding Online Photographic Essay, also sponsored by Destination NSW Mike Bowers, The Global Mail Outstanding Online Video

Alex Ellinghausen, The Sydney Morning Herald

Outstanding Online Blog

Wes Hardman, Ninemsn

Outstanding Team Player, the Cliff Neville Award

James Hamilton, Today Tonight, Seven Network

Outstanding Mentor

Claudia Taranto, ABC

Outstanding Sport Reporting, sponsored by the Seven Network

Quentin McDermott, ABC Four Corners

Young Journalist of the Year

Rosie Squires, The Sunday Telegraph

Outstanding Coverage of Indigenous Affairs, sponsored by Coles

Caro Meldrum-Hanna, ABC 7.30

Outstanding Television Camera Coverage, the Gary Ticehurst Award

Paul "Bowie" Bousfield, Nine Network

Outstanding Television News Reporting, sponsored by Network TEN

Paul Kadak, Seven Network

Outstanding Television Current Affairs

Quentin McDermott, ABC Four Corners

Most Outstanding Columnist, the Peter Ruehl Award

Heath Aston, The Sun-Herald

Outstanding Finance Reporting, sponsored by Sky News Australia

Vanda Carson, The Daily Telegraph

Outstanding Online News Breaking

Paul Bibby, The Sydney Morning Herald

Outstanding Court Reporting

Paul Bibby, The Sydney Morning Herald

Scoop of the Year

Kate McClymont, The Sydney Morning Herald

Most Outstanding Illustration

John Shakespeare, The Sydney Morning Herald

Splash of the Year

Jonathan Marshall and Neil Breen, The Sunday Telegraph

Most Outstanding Investigative Reporting

Kate McClymont, The Sydney Morning Herald

Most Outstanding Newspaper Feature

Mark Whittaker, The Good Weekend, SMH

Outstanding Political Reporting, sponsored by NRMA

Andrew Clennell, The Daily Telegraph

P&O Cruises New South Wales Journalist of the Year

Kate McClymont, The Sydney Morning Herald