Tony Pasin (Barker, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

  I was privileged to attend the South Australian Country Press Awards last Friday night. This event is akin to the Oscars for the South Australian regional media and the competition in each category is very intense. I am proud to be sponsor of the Young Journalist of the Year award, which I am pleased to say was awarded to a young journalist from the Riverland, Pamela Perre—a terrific up and coming journo from the Riverland's Murray Pioneer. As part of the prize I sponsored, Pam not only will be embedded in my office for a week but will also spend time in a ministerial office and with a member of the National Press Gallery.

I also record my congratulations to Fred Smith of the South Eastern Times, who, despite not receiving an invite to the event in 20 years, attended this year and was judged Best Editorial Writer on the evening. I congratulate the other winners and placegetters from Barker. William Bailey from the Murray Valley Standard got Best Sports Photo. Second place for Best Editorial Writing went to Paul Mitchell and third place went to Jason Wallace. Second place in the award for Excellence in Journalism went to Sandra Morello from The Border Watch, and an honourable mention to Raquel Mustillo from the South Eastern Times. Best News Photo went to Sam Dowdy of The Border Watch and third place went to Will Slee of Murray Pioneer. Best Sports Story went to Stephanie Gropler of Loxton News. Best Digital Contribution was won by The Border Watch. Third place for Best Newspaper, Large Circulation, went to The Border Watch. For Best Newspaper, Medium Circulation, Naracoorte Heraldgot second place and third place went to Murray Valley Standard. Third place for Best Newspaper, Small Circulation, was awarded to the South Eastern Times. Well done to the Country Press Association of South Australia for hosting a terrific night and to the winners for reaping the benefits of their hard work. (Time expired)