Journalism award finalists

Gazette journalists Emma Ballingall and Nicholas Duck are finalists in Rural Press Club of Victoria awards to be announced this week.
The annual awards, to be held in Bendigo on Friday night, recognise excellence in rural journalism and photography.
Emma has been announced a finalist in the Community Champion Journalist Award while Nicholas is a finalist in two categories - the Ray Frawley Young Journalist of the Year Award and Best Sports Story award.
The Community Champion Journalist Award is a new category introduced to the awards this year. It aims to recognise a media professional who demonstrates a true commitment to public interest journalism.
The folio of work submitted by Emma reflected how she had been a voice for the community in telling the stories of rural people and in local government. Her stories helped achieve change for people in our community.
The Young Journalist of the Year Award recognises the most promising young journalist in rural and regional journalism.
Nicholas' work across all areas of our newspaper, including sport and general writing display his skill for a regional newsroom.
The Best Sport Story Award nomination for Nicholas is for his heartfelt story on former Warragul footballer Cooper Alger - "Cooper's road to recovery" (October 3, 2023).