The Border Watch Newsgroup secures number of accolades at Country Press SA awards

Winners TBW Newsgroup
BACK TO BACK: The Border Watch Newsgroup managing director Dennis Jackson, graphic designer Sophie Bohner, sports cadets Thomas Miles and James Murphy, apprentice printer Mitch Radford, editor Brett Kennedy and media sales supervisor Melissa Prior celebrate the success of the weekend’s Country Press SA awards. For the second year in a row, The Border Watch won the best newspaper over 4000 circulation.

THE Border Watch has again been crowned South Australia’s best regional newspaper, winning the Country Press SA award for the second consecutive year.

Newspapers across the state vied for the prestigious media awards, which recognised excellence in writing, photography, layout and advertising during 2019.

The win was announced at a gala ceremony at the Stamford Grand Glenelg on Friday night.

In selecting The Border Watch as the winner, judge Joe Italiano described the four day a week paper as a “classy publication”, which provides “the people of

Mount Gambier and surrounds with a great variety of well written and researched news articles”.

The editorial team dominated the awards, with senior journalist Sandra Morello winning Excellence in Journalism for her reports inmates released from Mount Gambier Prison were not forced to return to their place of origin.

Judge Kym Tilbrook said Ms Morello’s 12 stories on the issue was a sustained effort of excellent reporting and resulted in a number of changes, including greater information sharing between the Correctional Services Department and South Australian Police.

Cadet journalist Katie Jackson won best community profile for a piece on Ryan Hinshelwood, a man whose dying wish to view Avengers: Endgame before he died was granted by a major Hollywood studio.

Judge and (The Advertiser) chief reporter Paul Starick labelled Ms Jackson’s article as captivating, adding “I could not get this story out of my mind”.

Best Road Safety Reporting – a new award – was also won by The Border Watch and sports cadet James Murphy was awarded the Best Sports Story plaque for The Penola Pennant.

In his first year of entry, first-year sports cadet Thomas Miles received the best sports photograph award for a dramatic image of two netballers in the Mid South East A Grade grand final.

“Miles’ image of two netballers captures a story in a single shot – simply put, Glencoe went down to Kalangadoo,” judges said.

“The composition of the players’ relative angles, combined with their facial expressions, works perfectly to convey the drama and desperation of the grand final.”

In other awards, The Border Watch was recognised for its “big, bold and ballsy” full page red advertisement after winning best house ad, with the newsgroup also receiving second place for the staff profile initiative.

The paper also received first place in the best advertising feature category for its Coffee Lover feature.

The night was also a success for another of The Border Watch Newsgroup’s mastheads as the Millicent-based The South Eastern Times won the Best Newspaper under 4000 circulation for the second year in a row.

In another back-to-back win for The South Eastern Times, chief of staff Raquel Mustillo and journalist J.L. “Fred” Smith were selected as winners of the 2019 best editorial writing award.

The pair won the same award in 2018.

A fish-eye image of a man holding cardboard boxes taken by Ms Morello was awarded second place in the best news photography category.

The Penola Pennant received third place in the best front page category for its recognition of a massive fundraising effort on behalf of the inaugural Pink Up Penola initiative.

The Border Watch Newsgroup editor Brett Kennedy said the result was reward for effort for the Limestone Coast business’ employees, praising their dedication and desire to constantly evolve.

“Our staff continually strive to improve in all facets and deliver a product that appeals both in content and quality,” Mr Kennedy said.

“It is a privilege to be entrusted to tell the stories of the broader Limestone Coast and western Victoria and a responsibility we take to heart,” he said.

“Community is at the core of what we do and it is through engagement with the community – both readers and the business sector – that continues to evolve our product.

“Thank you for making us your trusted source for local news.”