Melbourne Catholic has been recognised in three categories in the annual Australasian Catholic Press Association (ACPA) Awards, which were announced on Wednesday 28 August as part of the Australian Catholic Communications Congress at Rydges North Sydney.
The Archdiocese of Melbourne’s online publication won the award for Best Content—Celebrating Cultural Expressions for ‘Ancient and new: remembering the first Aboriginal Catholic liturgy, 50 years on’, written by editor Lucy Davison. Published as part of Melbourne Catholic’s coverage of the 50th anniversary of the 40th International Eucharistic Congress in Melbourne in 1973, the story incorporates archival material and the recollections of participants to explore the origins and significance of the groundbreaking Mass, which drew nearly 30,000 people to the Myer Music Bowl and made news around the world.
Ms Davison’s work was also highly commended in the Best Editorial, Column or Blog category for a series of reflections, ‘Into the wild: a Lenten reflection’, ‘Finding our winter rhythm, the Benedictine way’ and ‘A life in motion’.
Also highly commended in the Best News Content category was freelance photojournalist and regular Melbourne Catholic contributor Fiona Basile for her story ‘Holding the light for those impacted by violence’. Published by Melbourne Catholic, the story sensitively explores the subject of domestic violence through Melbourne’s annual ‘Holding the Light’ ecumenical service, which draws people from across the city to remember and pray for those affected by domestic violence and to name those who have lost their lives.
The big award of the evening, the Bishop Kennedy Award for Overall Excellence in a Catholic Publication, went to the Archdiocese of Perth’s quarterly magazine, The Record Magazine, which also celebrates its150th anniversary this year.
More than 50 Catholic media and communications professionals gathered for the annual awards night, recognising excellence in Catholic media across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. The awards were held in conjunction with the triennial Communications Congress, led by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
Congratulations to all the winners and highly commended entries in this year’s awards.
Full list of winners
Best News Content
Winner—Aurora, Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
Highly Commended—Fiona Basile (Melbourne Catholic)
Best Feature Content
Winner—Australian Catholics, Jesuit Publications
Highly Commended—The Catholic Weekly, Archdiocese of Sydney
Best Editorial, Column or Blog
Winner—The Nathaniel Centre
Highly Commended—Melbourne Catholic, Archdiocese of Melbourne
Best Headline
Winner—Tui Motu InterIslands
Highly Commended—Eureka Street, Jesuit Publications
Best Content—Climate and Environment
Winner—Eurkea Street, Jesuit Publications
Highly Commended—Debra Vermeer (Society of Divine Word)
Best Content—Social Justice
Winner—The Catholic Weekly, Archdiocese of Sydney
Highly Commended—Horizons, Diocese of Toowoomba
Best Content—Education
Winner—The Catholic Weekly, Archdiocese of Sydney
Highly Commended—The Catholic Leader, Archdiocese of Brisbane
Best Content—Faith Formation
Winner—The eRecord, Archdiocese of Perth
Highly Commended—Society of Jesus
Best Content—Faith and Life
Winner—NZ Catholic
Highly Commended—The Catholic Weekly, Archdiocese of Sydney
Best Content—Ecumenical & Interfaith
Winner—Tui Motu InterIslands
Highly Commended—St Columbans Mission Society
Best Content—Celebrating Cultural Expressions
Winner—Melbourne Catholic, Archdiocese of Melbourne
Highly Commended—Tui Motu InterIslands
Best Original Photograph
Winner—Catholic News, Diocese of Townsville
Highly Commended—The Catholic Weekly, Archdiocese of Sydney
Best Original Artwork
Winner—Catholic Outlook, Diocese of Parramatta
Highly Commended—Eureka Street, Jesuit Publications
Best Front Page—Print
Winner—Tui Motu InterIslands
Highly Commended—Australian Catholics, Jesuit Publications
Best Layout and Design—Online
Winner—Yarning, Diocese of Darwin
Highly Commended—CommonHomeTV, Redemptorists Australia
Best Layout and Design—Print
Winner—Australian Catholics, Jesuit Publications
Highly Commended—Aurora, Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
Most Improved Publication
Winner—Australian Catholics, Jesuit Publications
Highly Commended—Catholic News, Diocese of Townsville
Best Use of Digital Media
Winner—Mass For You At Home, Diocese of Wollongong
Highly Commended—CommonHomeTV, Redemptorists Australia
Best Advertising Feature / Supplement
Winner—The Catholic Weekly
Bishop Philip Kennedy Memorial Award for Overall Excellence in a Catholic Publication
Winner—The Record Magazine, Archdiocese of Perth
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Banner image: Lucy Davison and Fiona Basile celebrate Melbourne Catholic’s three awards at the Australasian Catholic Press Association Awards Night at Rydges North Sydney on 28 August 2024.
All photos by Ryan Maclandag, courtesy of ACPA.
