The Geelong Independent took out second place in the Overall Newspaper Excellence free category at the Victorian Country Press Association awards on Friday November 15.
The Independent’s sister paper, the Ocean Grove Voice finished third at the awards, held at RACV Resort Torquay.
The award was won by the Shepparton Adviser and Independent News editor Justin Flynn said it was a successful night for the two Star News publications.
“To have not one, but both, of our community newspapers nominated in the top three in regional Victoria is a wonderful achievement from our small, but dedicated team,” he said.
The Independent was recognised as ‘highly commended’ at the awards while the Voice was ‘commended’ by judges.
While disappointed not to have won, Mr Flynn congratulated the Shepparton Adviser and said that he was proud of the team at the Geelong West based office.
“I was born and bred in Shepparton and started my cadetship there so I congratulate the team in Shepparton,” he said.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our small team of journalists, photographers, front of office and advertising staff for their commitment and dedication over the past year.
“To have both our papers shortlisted for the finalists out of an amazingly strong field of community newspapers is a wonderful recognition. We love what we do. We love bringing local news for free to the people of the region.
“We work hard to bring you all the community news from greater Geelong, the Bellarine and the Surf Coast and can’t thank our readers enough for their support.”
