The Courier honoured as newspaper of the year

The Courier was honoured as newspaper of the year at the triumphant return of the Country Press NSW conference and gala awards dinner.

Independent publishers from across the state gathered in Sydney on Friday in what was a celebration of country newspapers.

The COVID pandemic had disrupted the annual gathering, however, newspaper proprietors, staff and industry representatives and suppliers were excited to come together to celebrate the 122nd anniversary of Country Press NSW – the state’s peak newspaper body.

At the awards night, The Courier was the most recognised publication, winning five honours as well as two commendations.

In addition to winning the best newspaper title, The Courier was also the winner of best overall news coverage for its print and online reporting of the November 2021 floods.

The award’s judge described the coverage as comprehensive.

“Numerous high quality photographs were used to illustrate these stories,” the judge said.

“An excellent all-round coverage of a local disaster and how the community responded.”

A photograph taken by Ian Dunnet of former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce and Member for Parkes Mark Coulton addressing a press conference on roads funding while a truck approaches was praised as using composition to full advantage while creating an impactful news picture. The image was named the winner of best news photograph.

Best sports story was awarded to Blake Jarrett for ‘I’m shattered’. The story featured Jake Rumsby expressing his frustration at the cruel COVID-impacted end of the Narrabri Rugby League Football Club’s 2021 season.

“The story highlights the Narrabri Blues’ strong local support and the importance of rugby league to the Narrabri community,” the judge commented.

The Courier also received a commendation for best sports photograph, a rugby league try-scoring image of Narrabri Blues’ Sam Sadler captured by Blake Jarrett, as well as best house advertisement for its promotion of online newspaper subscriptions.

The Courier’s sister publication, the Gunnedah Times, was the winner of ‘best special publication’ for its inaugural 60-page Annual Review as well as winning best news story.

Collectively, the two publications won seven awards and received three commendations.

The Courier’s manager Wanda Dunnet paid tribute to the newspaper’s staff for their dedication and professionalism.

“It’s very gratifying for The Courier to be recognised by the wider newspaper industry.

“It’s down to our incredible and dedicated team,” she said.

“We are always very grateful to the ongoing support of our advertisers who recognise the benefits of using The Courier to promote their business.

“We’re also appreciative of the readers who purchase the paper each issue and value its role in the community.

“Our advertisers and readers make what we do worthwhile.”

At the awards dinner, The Courier was represented by proprietors Ian and Wanda Dunnet, editor Dylan Smith and social correspondent Liz Campbell. Other team members unable to attend the dinner were sports journalist Blake Jarrett, senior journalist Ali Smith, production manager Robyn Collett, graphic designer Dominique Madden, office manager Sue Newton, administration officer Caitlyn Ford, advertising consultant Kylie Browne, distribution Sharyn Burley, Courier Print Heather Osborne, Boggabri correspondent Noreen Boehm and photographer Leslie Hardman.