Campaspe News’ coverage of the Campaspe Murray Business Awards 2024 earned the paper a top industry accolade, recognised as best commercial feature at the Victorian Country Press Association and Country Press NSW awards.
Campaspe News has earned major recognition at the historic combined Victorian Country Press Association and Country Press NSW awards, taking out best commercial feature at the prestigious event in Yarrawonga.
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The awards, held at The Sebel Resort and attended by more than 170 delegates, marked just the second-ever joint celebration of the two state associations.
This year also saw a record-breaking 670 entries across 19 categories — the most in the awards’ history.
Campaspe News’ feature success was one of several standout achievements for McPherson Media Group titles on the night.
Sister publication the Kyabram Free Press took centre stage, being named best newspaper (under 2500 circulation, paid).
Kyabram Free Press reporter Jemma Jones earned national acclaim, taking out best news story at both state and national levels, recognised by the Victorian Country Press Association and Country Press Australia.
KyabramFree Press editor Nikala Dixon said Jemma’s recognition reflected her storytelling talent and commitment to community journalism.
McPherson Media Group journalist Jemma Jones celebrates a double victory, taking out Best News Story at both state and national levels at the Victorian Country Press Association and Country Press Australia awards.
“Jemma is a great young journo and I am so proud of her and the way she covers the stories from our community,” Ms Dixon said.
“Telling the stories that need and deserve to be told — the heart-warming, the heartbreaking and everything in between — is what we do as journalists. They may sometimes be hard to write and harder to hear, but that is what makes them worth telling.”
Ms Dixon said the newspaper’s overall win capped off a stellar night for the Kyabram team.
“Jemma’s win, Oliver Shedden being a finalist in two categories and the overall win for Ky is recognition of the hard work we all put in,” she said.
“The award goes to everyone involved in the Free Press, from the journalists to the ad reps, contributors and creative team. It’s a team effort and it’s nice to be recognised by our peers.”
Three MMG cadets — Seymour Telegraph’s Billie Davern, Riverine Herald’s Oliver Shedden and former Cobram Courier reporter Owen Sinclair — were also nominated for cadet of the year.
Mr Shedden was further recognised as a finalist for best sports story.
