The Diocese of Parramatta and its flagship publication Catholic Outlook has claimed four awards at the 2022 Australasian Catholic Press Association (ACPA) Awards at the Sheraton Hotel, Melbourne, on Thursday 8 September.
Concluding the first face-to-face ACPA conference since 2019, the annual Awards recognise excellence in Catholic magazines, newspapers and digital publications across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.
Best Headline
The Diocese of Parramatta won ‘Best Headline’ for Mary Brazell’s article on local NSW MP Hugh McDermott granting the Mary Queen of the Family Parish Blacktown Catholic Early Learning Centre funds to build a new kitchen to continue their education of children in healthy food and lifestyles.
“Clever use of words. It is a great introduction to the article,” the judges commented.
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Best Content – Climate and Environment
In their comments highly commending Catholic Outlook for its coverage of action taken within the Diocese of Parramatta ahead of the global COP26 meeting in Glasgow in October 2021, the judges said that the article “fit the brief” of the award category ‘Best Content – Climate and Environment.’
“Bishop Vincent Long and Fr Riedling, Dean of the Cathedral are leading by example and challenging the Australian government to implement better environmental policies. It is well-written and shows the Church has a part to play in this global crisis. Well done,” they added.
Best Content – Ecumenical/Interfaith
Christina Gretton’s article on the 2021 Diocesan interfaith iftar dinner attended by The Grand Mufti of Australia was highly commended in the category ‘Best Content – Ecumenical/Interfaith.’
“This article was well written and tells the story of a great example of interfaith dialogue and connection,” the judges said.
“The Bishop of Parramatta’s Iftar dinner with faith leaders from many different religions showed interfaith dialogue at its best, with all faith leaders united in prayer. The story is explained well in easy-to-understand language and gives hope to the reader about a future of connection across all faiths.”
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Best Feature Content – Multiple Content Producers
The Diocese of Parramatta was also highly commended in the ‘Best Feature Content – Multiple Content Producers’ category for its comprehensive coverage and promotion of the Catholic Church’s stance on receiving the COVID-19 vaccination during the peak of the Greater Sydney lockdowns in mid-2021.
The judges commented, “The Diocese of Paramatta spearheaded an extensive campaign to provide relevant messaging to Catholics at a time of great uncertainty and need. It did this in a multiplicity of languages and via different media, offering exemplary service to its diverse communities.”
Family publication The Majellan a clear beacon at Catholic Press Awards
Australian Redemptorist publication The Majellan took home the top gong at the 2022 Australasian Catholic Press Association awards.
The national family publication, which started in the late 1940’s and also publishes digital content via its website, received the Bishop Kennedy Award for Overall Excellence in a Catholic Publication.
Majellan Media CEO Tony Biviano (second left) and Editor David Ahern (second right) pose for a photograph with Archbishop Peter Comensoli (left) and ACPA President Neil Helmore after winning the Bishop Kennedy Award for Overall Excellence in a Catholic Publication at the ACPA Awards in Melbourne. Image: Supplied
The Majellan won the major prize, the Bishop Kennedy Award, as well as Best Content – Multiple Content Producers, Best Layout and Design – Website, Best Use of Digital Media and Best Print Publication.
Jesuit Publication Eureka Street was awarded Best Online Publication, with Good Samaritan Sisters publication The Good Oil taking out the Highly Commended.
Judges for awards highlighted that The Majellan remains faithful to Catholic teachings and provides a clear beacon for families dealing with the pressures and stresses of modern day family life.
ACPA President Neil Helmore from the Diocese of Townsville, congratulated Majellan Media CEO Tony Biviano and Editor David Ahearn for their dedication and commitment.
“As Catholic media, our role is to ensure we announce the good news of our faith, and The Majellan is a prime example of how this most important task is fulfilled in our digital era,” Mr Helmore said.
“I congratulate and thank all ACPA members who came together for this special occasion, to learn and grow with each other in faith, particularly after two years of cancelled conferences because of COVID,” he said.
Conference a welcome return following two years of cancellations
More than 60 Catholic media and communications professionals gathered for the association’s annual conference and awards dinner which took place two weeks ago, culminating in Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral with Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli.
Members of the Australasian Catholic Press Association are seen following Mass celebrated by Archbishop Peter Comensoli at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne. Image: Supplied
This year’s theme of the Conference focused on the words of Pope Francis from his 2021 World Day of Communications message, “Witnesses of the Truth, to go, to see, to share”.
2022 was the first conference for ACPA following two years of cancellations caused by COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions.
With thanks to the Australasian Catholic Press Association.
