Independent stars at newspaper awards night

By Geelong Story Updates
The Independent has scooped the pool at an annual awards night for Star News Group.
The Independent won nine awards to finish the night with more prizes than any other newspaper.
Star News Group is a Victorian family-owned company with 27 community newspapers and other publications in an area covering Melbourne and Geelong.
The Independent dominated the All Stars Awards’ editorial categories.
Reporter Hamish Heard won best news story, photographer Mark Farrugia won best news photograph and the editorial team also picked up awards for best front page, best page design and best three headlines.
The Independent’s production department won most creative advertisement before teaming with the editorial and sales departments to win best advertising feature for the paper’s Abode liftout.
Production team member Sasha Gauntlett won an excellence in classifieds award, while colleague Tina Jean earned a company Headliners prize for achievement.
Editor Tony Galpin congratulated the Independent team for its success.
“To win so many awards in such a competitive environment is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the Independent’s staff,” Mr Galpin said.
“We strive for continual improvement at the Independent and the awards are evidence our efforts are paying off.
“We look forward to continued improvement over the next year to keep giving readers and advertisers the best local paper we can.”