Corowa journalist’s state award

Corowa journalist Adrienne Hartnett has been named NSW Runner-Up Journalist of the Year for 2023 at the Country Press NSW conference and gala awards dinner held in Sydney recently.

Regional newspaper publishers gathered in Sydney for the Country Press NSW conference and their 123rd awards ceremony on October 14.

Adrienne, who started at The Free Press in March 2020, expressed her appreciation to the NSW Country Press Association for this recognition. “It was definitely a pleasant surprise,” the respected and popular journalist said.

“I am grateful to be able to contribute to our region’s history and share the stories of individuals, events, and issues that shape our lives,” she said.

“The local community has welcomed me with open arms and shared their stories with me, and for that I am grateful.

“I also want to thank my mentors, Jared (Loughnan, managing director) and Moose (Muir, senior journalist) for their invaluable guidance and encouragement.

“Between the Free Press and the Yarrawonga Chronicle we have a strong editorial team, so this is a reflection of the hard work we have put in over the last few years.”

Mr Loughnan congratulated Adrienne on her award and praised her standard of journalism. “Adrienne has been a welcome addition to our organisation,” he said.

“Her efforts to build strong relationships in the community have enabled her to produce timely, accurate reports on stories and undertake research on topics is very pleasing.

The judges’ comments and the feedback we receive on Adrienne’s work is also very pleasing.”

“The judge for the Journalist of the Year award commented on Adrienne’s multiple bylines and strong writing skills.

“Her introductions are short, punchy, to the point and encourage the reader to read further.

She has the ability to write strong news as well as feature articles,” the judge said.

“Her submission on 130 years of Uncle Tobys, is a great example of strong feature writing complemented by a great heading and good photographs.”

Adrienne also received a runners-up acknowledgment for her article - “Final whistle for umpire Martin”.

The judge commented on that the article was “well-structured and competently rendered” exploring the 560-game/27-year career of an iconic local football umpire.

“The piece included the subject’s career highlights and provides a fascinating insight into what motivates someone to become a local sports umpire,” the judge stated.

This year’s awards were adjudicated by a panel of industry experts drawn from three states and chaired by Country Press NSW Life

Member Barry Wilson.

Special guests at the gala event, sponsored by Google, included the Minister for Regional NSW, Agriculture, and Western NSW, The Hon Tara Moriarty MLC.

Also attending were NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders MP, Shadow Ministers Sam Farraway MLC, and Gurmesh Singh MP, joined by key rural stakeholders, NSW Farmers Association and Country Women’s Association.

Country Press NSW President Lucie Peart said the 2023 awards were strongly supported by country independent mastheads, which reflected a growing confidence in the industry and a determination to continue coming back to financial health after the economic decimation caused by COVID-19.