Walkley Awards
Encyclopedia
The annual Walkley Awards, under the administration of the Walkley Foundation for Journalism, are presented in Australia to recognise and reward excellence in journalism. Finalists are chosen by an independent board of eminent journalists and photographers. The awards cover all media including print, television, radio, photographic and online media. They can be regarded as the Australian equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize
. The 33 categories judged in 2008 embraced news and feature writing; artwork, cartoons and photography; radio and TV reporting and interviewing; business, international and sport, indigenous affairs, social commentary and investigative journalism. A non-fiction book category is open to media and non-media authors. The Gold Walkley is the most prestigious award, being chosen from all category winners.
, founder of Ampol Petroleum Ltd
. After his death, the awards were handled by the Australian Journalists' Association which, in 1992 was merged into the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
. In 2000, the Alliance voted to establish a Walkley Foundation. In that same year, the Walkley Awards were merged with the Nikon Press Photographer of the Year Awards.
The finalists are formally announced in October of each year, and the awards are presented at a formal ceremony in late November or early December.
Print
Entries are authorised by their editor or producer. Entries (video, text, etc) are accompanied by a 200-word entrant statement.
Australian journalism's most prestigious night descended into chaos when Glenn Milne
physically and verbally attacked rival journalist Stephen Mayne
live on stage at the 2006 Walkley Awards.
As presenter Mayne prepared to present an award to Morgan Mellish
of The Australian Financial Review
, a "red-faced" and "seemingly intoxicated" Milne lurched onto the stage before launching a tirade of verbal abuse at Mayne; Milne then lunged at Mayne and pushed him off the stage, screaming at Mayne that he was "a disgrace".
"I could see from his sort of wild eyes, and his red face, that he was clearly very drunk, and I thought, you know, heck, this is going to be out of control," said Mayne, who suffered a sore ankle from the altercation."And next thing I know, I'd been shoved off the stage and I was hurtling through the air, in a four-foot drop onto the floor."
Milne charged at Mayne a second time before being restrained by security, who ejected the disheveled Milne from the event. Mayne then gathered himself at the microphone, jokingly quipping "That is the former Sunday Telegraph
political correspondent Glenn Milne, sponsored by Fosters
."
The following day, Milne apologised for the outburst, admitting he was drunk and had taken migraine
pills.
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
. The 33 categories judged in 2008 embraced news and feature writing; artwork, cartoons and photography; radio and TV reporting and interviewing; business, international and sport, indigenous affairs, social commentary and investigative journalism. A non-fiction book category is open to media and non-media authors. The Gold Walkley is the most prestigious award, being chosen from all category winners.
History
Awards were instituted in five categories in 1956 by businessman Sir William WalkleyWilliam Walkley
Sir William Gaston Walkley CBE was an oil company executive. Walkley was a founder of Australian oil company Ampol and was credited with being one of the early pioneers in opening up the northwest of Australia to oil exploration...
, founder of Ampol Petroleum Ltd
Ampol
Ampol, the Australian Motorists Petrol Company, was incorporated by Sir William Gaston Walkley in 1936 in New South Wales. This was in response to Australians' concerns about perceived inequitable petrol pricing, and allegations of transfer pricing by foreign oil companies to limit their tax...
. After his death, the awards were handled by the Australian Journalists' Association which, in 1992 was merged into the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance is the Australian trade union and professional organisation which covers the media, entertainment, sports and arts industries...
. In 2000, the Alliance voted to establish a Walkley Foundation. In that same year, the Walkley Awards were merged with the Nikon Press Photographer of the Year Awards.
Awards
In November 2008, 34 awards were presented. Excepting the non-fiction book award, only work published by Australian-based media organizations is eligible for the prizes. Entries are initially evaluated by a jury on newsworthiness, research, writing, production, incisiveness, impact, public benefit, ethics, originality, innovation and creative flair—or other relevant criteria in respect of graphics and electronic media. The jury will then shortlist three entrants to the Walkley Advisory Board, who will then select the best entrant in each category, as well as the winner of the "Press Photographer of the Year", "Journalism Leadership Award" and the "Gold Walkley".The finalists are formally announced in October of each year, and the awards are presented at a formal ceremony in late November or early December.
General
- Gold WalkleyGold WalkleyThe Gold Walkley is the most prestigious of the Walkley Awards for Australian journalism. It is chosen by the Walkley Advisory Board from the winners of all the other categories...
- Journalism LeadershipWalkley Award for Journalism LeadershipThe Walkley Award for Journalism Leadership is an Australian award that recognises outstanding acts of courage and bravery in the practice of journalism. The inaugural award, for Excellence in News Leadership, was made in 1997...
- Most Outstanding Contribution to JournalismWalkley Award for Most Outstanding Contribution to JournalismThe Walkley Award for Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism recognises long-term commitment and achievement in the Australian media. It has been awarded annually since 1994.The List of winners:* 1994: Robert M...
- Nikon-Walkley Australian Press Photographer of the YearNikon-Walkley Australian Press Photographer of the YearThe Nikon-Walkley Australian Press Photographer of the Year Award recognises newsworthiness, impact, technical superiority, creativity and originality in news photography. It was first awarded in 1969 as a separate award, but in 2000 merged with the Walkley Awards to create the current prize...
- Walkley Award for Non-Fiction Book
- News Report(ing)
- Three Headings
- Newspaper Feature Writing
- Magazine Feature Writing
- News Photography
- Cartoon(ing)
- Artwork
- News Photography
- Daily Life Photography
- Sports Photography
- Photographic Essay
- Editorial Graphics and Design
Radio
- News Reporting
- Current Affairs Reporting
- Feature, Documentary or Broadcast Special
Television
- News Reporting
- Current Affairs (less than 20 minutes)
- News and Current Affairs Camera Work
- Current Affairs, Feature, Documentary or Special (more than 20 minutes)
All Media
- Best Use of Medium
- Coverage of Suburban or Regional Affairs
- International Journalism
- Coverage of Asia-Pacific Region
- Business Journalism
- Investigative Journalism
- Coverage of Indigenous Affairs
- Coverage of Sport
- Social Equity Journalism
- Commentary, Analysis, Opinion and Critique
- Broadcast InterviewingWalkley Award for Broadcast InterviewingThe Walkley Award for Broadcast Interviewing has been awarded since 1997. Until 2001, it was known as the Walkley Award for Broadcast Presenting...
Entries are authorised by their editor or producer. Entries (video, text, etc) are accompanied by a 200-word entrant statement.
Controversy
Glenn Milne
Glenn Milne is a Canberra journalist and political commentator. He currently works for News Limited as a columnist for The Australian newspaper....
physically and verbally attacked rival journalist Stephen Mayne
Stephen Mayne
Stephen Mayne is an Australian journalist, local government councillor and self-described shareholder activist. Mayne is also considered “serial runner”, continually running for elected office and election onto company boards, more often than not in futile attempts, or just to make political...
live on stage at the 2006 Walkley Awards.
As presenter Mayne prepared to present an award to Morgan Mellish
Morgan Mellish
Henry Morgan Saxon Mellish , better known as Morgan Mellish, was an Australian journalist.Mellish was educated at Shore School in North Sydney...
of The Australian Financial Review
The Australian Financial Review
The Australian Financial Review is a leading business and finance newspaper in Australia.Fairfax Media publishes it in a compact format six days a week, Monday to Saturday....
, a "red-faced" and "seemingly intoxicated" Milne lurched onto the stage before launching a tirade of verbal abuse at Mayne; Milne then lunged at Mayne and pushed him off the stage, screaming at Mayne that he was "a disgrace".
"I could see from his sort of wild eyes, and his red face, that he was clearly very drunk, and I thought, you know, heck, this is going to be out of control," said Mayne, who suffered a sore ankle from the altercation."And next thing I know, I'd been shoved off the stage and I was hurtling through the air, in a four-foot drop onto the floor."
Milne charged at Mayne a second time before being restrained by security, who ejected the disheveled Milne from the event. Mayne then gathered himself at the microphone, jokingly quipping "That is the former Sunday Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph (Australia)
The Daily Telegraph is an Australian tabloid newspaper published in Sydney, New South Wales, by Nationwide News, part of News Corporation.The Tele, as it is also known, was founded in 1879. From 1936 to 1972, it was owned by Frank Packer's Australian Consolidated Press. That year it was sold to...
political correspondent Glenn Milne, sponsored by Fosters
Foster's Lager
Foster's Lager is an internationally distributed Australian brand of 5.0% abv pale lager, It is a product of Foster's Group brewed under licence in several countries, including the U.S. and Russia...
."
The following day, Milne apologised for the outburst, admitting he was drunk and had taken migraine
Migraine
Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by moderate to severe headaches, and nausea...
pills.