Your local newspaper received ‘Highly Commended’ (effectively runner-up) in the Best News Story category at the awards dinner, held in Sydney last Friday night.
The winning story highlighted the need for improved safety measures at Deniliquin’s Scott’s Park.
The Deniliquin Pastoral Times was represented at the conference and awards dinner by former manager and Country Press NSW life member Garry Baker.
More than 90 regional newspaper representatives, sponsors and guests of honour met at Rydges Sydney Central to celebrate the return of the annual event and to plan for the industry’s needs in 2023.
The event marked the 122nd anniversary of the association, which is the nation’s oldest continuously operating press body, established in 1900.
There were various guest speakers, including representatives from Telstra, advertising, printing and content presentations, plus workshops led by Google News Initiative.
Leading media academic Professor Kristy Hess from Melbourne’s Deakin University, provided a forecast of a future positive outlook for traditional print newspapers, which are being strongly supported by newspaper readers and advertisers.
A major concern expressed throughout the conference was the lack of support for regional independent newspapers from the NSW Government.
Mr Baker said it is obvious that Premier Dominic Perrottet, his Ministers and their bureaucracy lack an understanding of the contribution and value of local independent newspapers to their communities.
Post-COVID, many independent newspapers have been established in rural communities in which the local paper was closed or downgraded during the pandemic.
This especially occurred in towns served by newspapers owned by large corporates.
Country Press NSW President Lucie Peart said the conference and dinner success reflects a strong rebounding by the independent regional newspaper industry following years of COVID turmoil.
“We are re-grouping strongly,” she said.
“New members are growing our base further and we are in discussions with the NSW Government to try and establish a realistic operating basis for the future.
“The annual conference and awards was a good indicator that as an industry, we were battered by some stormy years like all industries, but we are back,” Mrs Peart added.
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