A PHOTOJOURNALIST raised in Penola who has gone on to work at conflict hotspots around the world has been awarded for her work depicting the stories of war-torn Mosul.
Multi-award winning Kate Geraghty was announced joint-winner of this year’s Gold Walkley last week, receiving the highest honour in Australian journalism.
Surviving IS : Stories of Mosul documented the impact of the devestation by the Islamic State on the ancient city north of Baghdad.
Ms Geraghty alongside The Age investigations unit editor and Fairfax Media foreign editor Michael Bachelard told personal stories and struggles of civilians to offer readers and viewers insight into their reality.
Visiting hospitals, mass graves, military bases and homes, Mr Bachelard introduced stories about people who are resilient yet exhausted by the ravages of war.
Ms Geraghty’s visuals helped immerse readers in the atmosphere of a city and a situation far from our understanding.
Beginning her photographic career in 1997 at the Border Mail, Ms Geraghty joined Fairfax in 2002 and since then covered The Bali Bombings, 2003 invasion of Iraq, war in East Ukraine and the downing of MH17 to name a few.
Ms Geraghty is no stranger to the Walkley stage, having been named Press Photographer of the Year in 2007 and 2013 and winning the photographic essay category in 2006 and 2007.
The talented photograph journalist was also named this year’s Nikon-Walkley Press Photographer of the Year for a body of work that included coverage of the frontlines of Mosul, the war on drugs in the Philippines, the famine crisis in South Sudan and Australian Vietnam War veterans who have retired to their old battlegrounds.
Commenting on the awards judging process, Walkley Advisory Board chair Angelos Frangopoulos said the last year was monumental for news and the very high quality – and fierce competition – of the entries demonstrated this.
“The judging process was very challenging and I’d like to thank all the judges who devoted their time and gave careful consideration to each entry,” Mr Frangopoulos said.
The 62nd Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism were presented in 30 categories.
Just under 600 journalists and media identities gathered in the Plaza Ballroom of Brisbane’s Convention and Exhibition Centre for the gala event hosted by Lisa Wilkinson.
