WA Media Awards: winners

7:30, Seven News, Today Tonight, TEN News and GWN have all been recognised in the WA Media Awards.

ABC journalist Jake Sturmer (pictured) recently won the 2012 Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year.

Print journo Steve Pennells, who has received more individual Walkley Awards nominations than any other journalist, won the Clarion Award for outstanding contribution to journalism.

TV winners:

TV/Online -Best News Story or Series
Sponsored by The West Australian
Winner
Grant Taylor
‘Leeman search’: Seven Network
Judges comment : An incredible story of survival at sea. It’s true that the 7 news team was lucky to spot the lone survivor of a boat accident off the coast of Leeman, but the way the story was handled is the reason it wins this year’s award. The chopper pilot and cameraman must share in this award because without their work there would be no story. However, Grant Taylor tied it all together. Using audio from radio live crosses over the extraordinary pictures gave the story urgency, which was very real. Grant did not sensationalise the story in anyway and was sensitive to the fact that others from the same boat were still missing. But his description of the exhausted man, the circling shark and the attempts to bring help made compelling viewing. Kudos, too, to the editor of this story for piecing it all together. A gripping story which showcased the medium of television.

Finalist
Christen De Garis
‘Missing’: Network 10
TV/Online- Best Current Affairs or Feature
Sponsored by The Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance

Winner
Jake Sturmer
‘Hostel Abuse’: ABC, 7.30 Report WA
Judges comment : There can only be one winner and this year it has to go to Jake Sturmer from 7:30WA for his series of stories on the shocking abuse at the St Andrew’s hostel in Katanning. Jake showed superior journalistic skills in first interviewing a group of men who had been abused as children by serial paedophile, Dennis McKenna, while he was warden of the hostel. The candid and emotive interviews give a rare insight into the lives of these now grown men, when they were young, innocent victims. The story opened the floodgates, police laid more charges and eventually the government launched an inquiry into the years of serial sexual abuse that were perpetrated at the hostel. Jake followed that original story with a compelling interview with Dennis McKenna’s father Doug and, finally, a heart wrenching half hour special on the wash up from the whole sordid affair. The St Andrew’s Hostel scandal was one of the biggest stories of 2012 and without Jake’s hard work and tenacity, the story may never have been told. An excellent example of exemplary journalism.

Finalists
Graeme Butler, Marie-Anne Keeffe, Gayle Adams and Peter Lettenmaier
‘On the inside’: Seven Network, Today Tonight
Tiffany Wertheimer and Paul Brown
‘Tsunami recovery -A Japanese story’: Channel Nine Perth

All Media- Best Broadcast Camerawork
Sponsored by The Media Entertainment & Arts
Winner
Gayle Adams
‘Bandyup prison’: Seven Network, Today Tonight
Judges comment :Gayle has been able to show a small glimpse of life behind bars in a female prison. The filming of this story was done with respect and sensitivity under at times difficult conditions. This is clearly reflected in the relaxed nature of the interviews and the personal stories that have been conveyed. The framing of the inmates (tight) to show confinement and the (wider) framing of the guards to show space and freedom worked very well. Most of this story was shot hand held which conveyed a sense of urgency and added to the drama that unfolded. The opening sequence was made up of incredibly emotive images, and the final shot was very powerful in portraying the feeling of a prisoner having her freedom taken away. The images captured in this story were of a very high standard and there was an excellent balance of news gathering and creativity.

Finalist
David Cooper
‘Leeman search’, Seven Network, 6pm News

All Media – Regional & Community –Best Three News Features outside a 70 km radius of central Perth
Sponsored by BHP Billiton
Winner
Emma Sheridan
‘Tjirrkarli death’, ‘Charlie Park’s family’ and ‘Asylum seeker children’: GWN7 News
Judges comment :The judges were impressed with the quality of Emma Sheridan’s reports for GWN7 News. Emma’s stories are well laid out and easy for viewers to follow. Her scripts are uncomplicated and delivered in a measured and clear manner. In addition Emma has integrity about her reporting which is reflected by the willingness of people to talk to her on camera. An example of this is the heart-breaking story where a mother responds to the death of her child at the hands of a paedophile. Emma clearly establishes an empathy with her subjects and possesses a clarity in her writing and delivery that is welcomed by the judges.

Finalists
Matt Tinney
‘State of the Bay – Seaweed’,’ State of the Bay – HMAS Swan’ and ‘State of the Bay – Holy Mile’: WIN News – WIN Network
Alex Massey
‘Cop’s cash reward halted’, ‘Owners snub BHP buyout’ and ‘Housing sell-off slammed’: North West Telegraph

All Media – Best Culture and Art Report – The A.H Kornweibel Arts Award
Sponsored by The West Australian Government
Winner
Nick Way
‘Mullewa’:Network 10
Judges comment :Nick’s report “Mullewa” took us well off the beaten track to the northern Wheatbelt and a town that has had its share of troubles over the years but which has benefited enormously from an arts project. A community arts engagement project had resulted in the photographic book Thicker Than Water, and gone some way in instilling a sense of pride in belonging to the Mullewa community. This report involved investigation, creativity, follow-up research and a great deal of interaction with the local community. In a respectful and considered way, Nick has successfully explored the transformative value of art in society. The fact that he brought this story to a commercial television audience also impressed the judges.