Your Hawkesbury Gazette was recognised for news and photography excellence at the 2014 Community Newspapers of Australia Awards on Friday night.
The Gazette won Best News Story (northern division) for its ‘‘Council rates backlash’’ front page (July 31, 2013) and series by Anna Russell, and Best Sport Picture (national) ‘‘Hawkesbury Races’’ by Geoff Jones taken in December, 2013.
Judges said of Ms Russell’s story series that it’s great to see a local council rates story take the winner’s prize.
‘‘Anna demonstrated the century-old values of ratepayers rising against their local council.’’
Of Mr Jones’ photograph judges commented it featured exceptional framing, exceptional originality, exceptional creativity.
‘‘Powerful composition and thinking outside the norm — so right in so many ways.’’
Of the 16 awards presented, Fairfax Community Newspapers won 10, some of which were also the national winners — outstanding results against some excellent competition, FCN group editor Mark Dennis said.