Leader Sports reporter Grant Robertson's award-winning Attunga Rodeo image. Photo: Grant Robertson
Peter Lorimer took out News Photographer of the Year with his NSW flood coverage. Photo: Peter Lorimer
One of Grant Robertson's two winning images that landed him the Best Sports Photographer at this year's PRODI awards. Photo: Grant Robertson
JOURNALISTS from across the northern region celebrated their achievements over the past 12 months at the 45th annual Northern NSW journalism awards, the PRODIS, in Tamworth on Saturday night.
Northern Daily Leader sports reporter and photographer Grant Robertson was named among the winners for his entry "The Ultimate Tackle" in the Best Sports Photography category.
Robertson's entry was comprised of two images; Bingara's Stuart Dixon wrestling a steer at the Attunga Rodeo in April and Group 4 rugby league player Matt Nean scoring a try just as Group 19s Onisimo Tagicakibau arrives on the scene.
Tamworth's Prime 7-based news team consisting of Nicola Strohal, Ben Sutton and Steve Moroney took home the gong for Best Television News Report for their coverage of the death of Tamworth police senior constable David Rixon.
Gunnedah-based freelance photographer Peter Lorimer was also honoured, winning the Best News Photography category for his now famous shot "Northern NSW Flood Disaster" which depicts Rowena's Jenni and Sid Brommell standing on the verandah of their flood stricken property Rio Park in the middle of the February floods this year.
The photo appeared in the Northern Daily Leader and the Daily Telegraph's coverage of the floods in February this year.
Winners were announced at a Black, White and Red themed dinner at The Pavillion Function Centre.
Acting Media Alliance federal secretary, Paul Murphy, said: "In a changing media landscape, regional journalists perform a crucial public service they are the people who keep their communities informed. They are a vital lifeline for many, and show extraordinary tenacity and versatility, crafting some of the finest journalism we have in this country."
Host of Channel Seven's The Morning Show and former Prime Tamworth journalist, Kylie Gillies, hosted the event and her husband former editor of The Northern Daily Leader Tony Gillies, now editor in chief of the Australian Associated Press was the guest speaker for the evening.