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The South Eastern Times : February 26th 2019
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2 NEWS Newspaper honoured J.L. ‘FRED’ SMITH fred@setimes.com.au THE South Eastern Times has been named Country Press SA’s 2018 best newspaper with a circulation under 4000, edging out five other publications for the top honour. Judge Bruce Morgan applauded the newspaper’s wide coverage of significant issues to the community of Millicent and district. The win was announced at the Vine Inn at Nuriootpa on Friday night at a gala ceremony attended by 100. The South Eastern Times won a similar section in 2012, 2013 and 2016 and has had seven consecutive podium finishes. Mr Morgan said the twiceweekly newspaper showed an impressively strong commitment to community journalism, combining hard news with balanced opinion. “Clearly it is a campaigning newspaper, with a high awareness of the need for inclusion,” Mr Morgan said. “The issue of shop trading deregulation was a very good case-in-point. “But in all editions, it showed a constructive approach to reporting, feedback and opinion. “The advertising content was consistent, with effort made to make local ads stand out and it was a very good car guide. “Overall, this wins on quality journalism committed to community.” Among the other accolades received on the night, Raquel Mustillo scored a high commendation in the Excellence in Journalism category for her coverage of shopping hours in Millicent. The awards night was also a time of success for one of our sister newspapers which is part of the Scott Group of Companies. The Border Watch at Mount Gambier won the best newspaper with circulations over 4000 and scored the best front page. In welcoming the honours, editor Brett Kennedy said the best newspaper accolade rewarded all staff involved in producing the paper, from the front counter through to the print and insert team. “Best newspaper awards are not based off a single strong point, it shows that across all facets we continue to be at the forefront of regional newspaper production,” he said. “The South Eastern Times does not exist just to chronicle current events in our district, but also to affect change and give the community a voice. “The judge’s comments highlight that community is at the core of a successful country newspaper, so this win is not just for our staff, but for our clients, customers and wider community as well.” OUR WINNER: The South Eastern Times young journalist of the year Brooke Littlewood (centre) was congratulated by Member for Barker Tony Pasin (right) and Country Press of South Australia life member and awards judge John Pick. Young journalist crowned at gala Editorial accolade for Times’ STRONG advocacy on issues vital to the Millicent and district community has earned The South Eastern Times the Country Press SA best editorial writing award for 2018. The award - which was last won by the newspaper in 2015 - was announced at Friday night’s gala event in the Barossa Valley. Judge Shauna Black praised the opinion pieces written over the past 12 months by journalists J.L. “Fred” Smith and Raquel Mustillo. “The work of the two journalists has effected positive change for their community,” Ms Black wrote. “A campaign against changes to shop trading hours resulted in those legislative changes being stymied by Parliament. “They held their local MP Nick McBride accountable. “The campaign to limit mining access to farms also yielded a result when Mr McBride voted against the party line to protect farmers’ interests.” The judge also highlighted that both editorials, written by Ms Mustillo, were quoted in Parliament. A third piece penned by Mr Smith about a 56-hour window with no doctor based in Millicent was labelled “a thorough indictment of deliberate State Government decision-making and inaction over a decade”. J.L. ‘FRED’ SMITH fred@setimes.com.au MILLICENT’S own Brooke Littlewood, of The South Eastern Times, was crowned Country Press SA’s young journalist of the year at a gala awards ceremony in the Barossa Valley on Friday night. Ms Littlewood is a valued member of the newspaper where she started her cadetship as a 17 year old in 2010. After completing her cadetship, Ms Littlewood lived and worked overseas for four years, gaining valuable life experiences before taking up a job offer and returning to The South Eastern Times. Award judge John Pick said Ms Littlewood produced a fine body of work last year to reduce the stigma of mental health. 462 Catalpa Lane, Furner, SA Monday 4th March 3pm ANNUAL SALE Selling: 20 Charolais Bulls 80 Simi/Angus Heifers (with Charolais x Angus calves at foot) Contact vendors: Steve Bellinger 0438 043 433 Danny & Tasha 0428 849 343 Landmark Millicent Jim Noonan 0428 838 423 747111 2 - The South Eastern Times, Tuesday, February 26, 2019 “Suicides in any community often go unreported, usually as a mark of respect for the families left grieving,” the judge noted. “Ms Littlewood helped break the silence and stigma of suicide and mental health.” Mr Pick also highlighted how Ms Littlewood vividly told the story of how a young woman’s traumatic memories of fighting Hodgkin Lymphoma left her battling mental illness on a daily basis. “Such sensitive issues were handled professionally and with empathy and because of the trust she built among locals, other people with their own battles are reaching out to her for help.” The South Eastern Times editor Brett Kennedy praised her role with the newspaper. Mr Kennedy said she was a hard-working journalist who has left her mark on the community. “Brooke has shown maturity and skill beyond her years in reporting sensitive issues,” Mr Kennedy said. “She continues to produce a diverse range of stories with professionalism and has importantly gained the trust of many individuals and groups within the community.” Member for Barker Tony Pasin has also warmly congratulated Ms Littlewood on her success. For several years, Mr Pasin has sponsored the prize with a Ms Littlewood helped break the silence and stigma of suicide and mental health ... such sensitive issues were handled professionally and with empathy and because of the trust she built among locals, other people with their own battles are reaching out to her for help.” Award judge John Pick trip to Canberra to experience a parliamentary sitting week. “Not only does the winner get to experience what a week is like in my office in Parliament, but the trip also includes spending time in the press gallery with senior political journalists and in previous years it has included shadowing ministerial press secretaries,” Mr Pasin said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for young journalists to gain experience and an understanding of lif in Canberra. “I like to think it helps bridge the gap between the Canberra bubble and what’s happening at a rural and regional level. Ms Littlewood said she was honoured to receive the award. “I always aspired to work as a journalist and am really lucky to have been given the opportunity to do so at The South Eastern Times,” she said. “I remember when I was younger my nanna Margaret Gordon - who sadly is not with us anymore - would save copies of The South Eastern Times for me to read with her each week. “Unfortunately, she passed away before I was employed by the company so she never had the opportunity to read my stories, but I know how proud she would be.” She added that mental health was a topic, which for her hits close to home. “It is important we continue to talk openly about it to raise awareness, reduce the stigma and break the silence, especially in rural communities,” she said. “I am grateful of the community members who shared their stories with me and feel extremely honoured they trusted in me to do so. “They say if you love your job you never have to work a day in your life and I definitely love what I do. “Thanks so much to my family, friends, work colleagues and the Limestone Coast community for their ongoing support - it means everything to me. “It is the third consecutive year a reporter from The Border Watch newsgroup has secured this honour. Todd Lewis was the 2017 winner and Jocelyn Nickels won the prize a year ago. www.thesoutheasterntimes.com.au
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