The Southern Free Times tasted success at the 2019 Queensland Country Press Association awards ceremony last Friday 31 May.
Editor Jeremy Sollars won the ‘Overall Journalistic Excellence Award for an Individual Journalist’ for the second year running, and also took out third place for ‘Best Sports Picture’ with a shot from the 2018 Warwick Rodeo entitled ‘Cowboy Down’.
We also took out equal third place in the advertising category for ‘Best Run of Press Newspaper Supplement’ for our Rose City Shoppingworld opening advertising feature from April 2018.
The judge’s notes for Jeremy’s award read as follows –
“The work of Jeremy Sollars showed a high degree of empathy with his readers and his ability to deliver stories that were relevant to them. The stories covered drought and water; de-amalgamation of Warwick and Stanthorpe councils, Warwick solar farm, and a community project for refugees. The drought stories displayed a wide number of sources and context, showed the impact on economic viability of the region, impact on community and business and on the mental health of community members. The stories highlighted innovative ways to deal with drought, suggested solutions, and provided farmers’ views in personal stories. The stories were covered in depth in a way that demonstrated a commitment to the community.”
Our thanks as always to our valued readers and advertisers for supporting the Southern Downs and Granite Belt’s leading FREE community newspaper – and don’t forget we’re now in our new office located at 94 Palmerin Street in Warwick – same phone number 4661 9800 and opening hours 8.30am to 5pm. Drop in and say hello next time you’re up the main street – and place your classified advertisements at the same time at our front counter – and keep up with the latest breaking news at www.freetimes.com.au
