Minister for Ageing the Hon Senator
Santo Santoro with James Sheffield,
general manager, Wealth Builders,
Commonwealth Bank, and MC,
the ABC Conversation Hour’s
Richard Fidler

National Awards

National – Advertising

Winner: theVillage – Neil Lawrence, executive creative director; Adam Whitehead, art director; Geoff Denman, writer; client – Commonwealth Bank

Judges’ comments: The message comes through loud and clear – The Commonwealth bank respects its customers. They don’t talk down to them. Please note the nominations for this category come from practitioners or past practitioners in the fields of marketing or advertising.

Runner-up: It was difficult to find a runner-up. As we said last year, the communications industry has a lot to learn about communicating with the 60+ audience . . . Granny isn’t in her rocker, she is one!

Senator Santoro, Antony Funnell
and Richard Fidler

National – Radio – city & regional news, public affairs and interviews

Winner: Antony Funnell. ‘Financial abuse of the elderly’, ABC Radio National

Judges’ comments: This is informative and avoids the scaremongering that usually is the feature of such presentations. It had the impact desired and is a fine example of radio journalism. Well researched and edited.

Runner-up: Robert Greaves, ‘A Man and his Music: Clem Gracie’, Listen to Older Voices on Community Radio Victoria.

Robyne Cuerel and Richard Fidler

National – Photography – regional and suburban newspapers

Winner: Robyne Cuerel, ‘Gender War’, NewsMail (Bundaberg)

Judges’ comments: The more we looked at this wonderful photo the more we saw in it. The picture tells the story, the women protesting, the men confused and indignant, the sign says it all and then remembers to be polite, see the word ‘please’.

Runner-up: Julie Bowyer, ‘Sky’s the Limit’, Fairfax Community News.

Finalists: Lori Neilsen, ‘Strength’, Townsville Bulletin; Cheril Kane, ‘Front Page Photo’, Gold Coast/Tweed Seniors Newspaper.

Nathan Richter and Richard Fidler

National – Photography – metropolitan daily newspapers and magazines

Winner: Nathan Richter, ‘Swinging Sixties’, The Courier-Mail

Judges’ comments: The sheer joy of this photograph is infectious. We had no hesitation or disagreement as to its effect on the reader/viewer.

Runner-up: Sharon Smith, ‘Off we go! Pam & Tom Medland’, WA Newspapers.

Finalists: Nathan Richter, ‘Larrikin Steve’ The Courier-Mail; Andy Tyndall, ‘Love of the land – Brandy’s return’, The Australian; Peter Rae, ‘Margaret Olley’, Sydney Morning Herald.

Sarah Saunders, Kathryn
Vukovljak and Richard Fidler

National – Senior-specific newspaper articles

Winner: Kathryn Vukovljak, ‘All at sea and Terry couldn’t feel better’, The Queensland Retiree

Winner: Sarah Saunders, ‘Bypass to Everest’, 50 Something

Judges’ comments: Two older men seek adventure, both in their own way, to be master of their own destiny. Both stories are told with passion and colour. The reader is captured by their determination to win over ageing.

Runner-up: Debbie White, ‘Campaign to end ‘Granny bashing’ ’, seniorlifestyle Bayside.

Finalist: Laura Robb, ‘Joy Warren: educator, entertainer, motivator’, seniorlifestyle Goulburn.

Merv Collins and Richard Fidler

National – Inter-generational journalism – print

Winner: Merv Collins, ‘Of Life And Longing’, Sydney’s Child, Copeland Publishing, entered by editor Sean Mooney

Judges’ comments: True testimony to the adage ‘less is better’. Short but stunning. Excellent use of minimalist language. Inspirational.

Runner-up: Jessica Ardley, ‘Pang’ono, Pang’ono’, Your Life Magazine.

Finalists: Kate Johnstone, ‘Hands on Thailand’, Your Life Magazine; Pamela Oddy, ‘Happy Landings’ Your Life Magazine; Kylie Ladd, ‘Nanna isn’t well’, Brisbane’s Child.

Jerry Vennettacci, Jocelyn
Nettlefold and Richard Fidler

National – Inter-generational journalism – electronic

Winner: Jocelyn Nettlefold & Jerry Venettacci, ‘Inter-generational care’, 7.30 Report, ABC TV Hobart

Judges’ comments: This story gives a unique insight into a childcare system which acknowledges what families have always known – that young children and grandparents have a special bond that benefits both parties.

Runner-up: Wendy Page and Roger Carter, ‘A night like this’, Australian Story, ABC TV.

Finalist: Susan Moylan-Coombs, ‘The Debutantes’, Message Stick, ABC TV.

Dominique Menegaldo and
Richard Fidle

National – Inter-generational journalism – photography

Winner: Dominique Menegaldo, ‘Answering the call’, Stirling Times

Judges’ comments: We first saw this photo and thought, ‘How nice of the grandson to help his grandad fix his bike . . . ’ Reading the editorial with the photo revealed the true story . . . obviously proving that ‘inter-generational’ is alive and well!

Runner-up: Jodie Richter, ‘A lasting legacy’, The Courier-Mail

Finalist: Ric Frearson, ‘Last Post’, Westside News, Quest Newspapers.

Scott Mackinnon and
Richard Fidler

National – Television news

Winner: Scott Mackinnon, ‘Max Sainsbury – Life Saver’, Network Ten News

Judges’ comments: This is a positive story about a life saver with 51 years’ service who lost his son tragically in 1992. He shows his community spirit and courage, which would be an inspiration to anyone and particularly older people who can maintain a valuable role and service into senior life.

Runner-up: Chris Pace, ‘Stunned mullets’, Seven Local News, Seven Sunshine Coast.

Finalist: Allan Raskall, ‘Worker’, Network Ten News.

Vassil Malandris and
Richard Fidler

National –Television public affairs & interviews under 10 minutes

Winner: Vassil Malandris, ‘Bushman Bob’, Today Tonight

Judges’ comments: This is journalism at its best – a story that epitomises the hardship, character and humour that made the outback pioneers so special. Beautifully researched, written and edited, this is a marvellous piece of work. The judges’ tears told volumes.

Runner-up: Chris Kimball, ‘Run Daddy Run’, Stateline, ABC TV.

Finalist: Jocelyn Nettlefold & Jerry Venettacci, ‘Flanagan Father’, 7.30 Report, ABC TV.

Susan Moylan-Coombs
and Richard Fidler

National – Television public affairs, documentaries and interviews

Winner: Susan Moylan-Coombs, ‘The Debutantes’, Message Stick, ABC TV

Judges’ comments: ‘The Debutantes’ follows the build-up to a unique debutante ball in Kempsey, New South Wales, where elderly Aboriginal women deprived of ‘coming out’ are given the opportunity to be welcomed into society, A joyful and sensitive piece of television, it drew praise from right around Australia from the many OPSO media monitors.

Runner-up: Catherine Hunter, ‘Margaret Olley: A life in paint’, Sunday, Nine Network.

Finalist: Claire Forster, ‘The absolute beginner’, Australian Story, ABC TV.

Senator Santo Santoro, Kate
Johnstone and Richard Fidler

National – Magazine feature articles

Winner: Kate Johnstone, ‘Back in the saddle’, Your Life Magazine

Judges’ comments: WOW. Well written and edited, with good quotes – informative, instructional and encouraging.

NB: The judges were delighted to see the magazine feature category had a good range of entries and a strong representation at the high-quality end. The entries which most impressed showed a level of professionalism and appeal which enhanced their readership. It was hard to choose a winner, but the WOW factor played a part in the eventual choice.

Runner-up: Merv Collins, ‘Of life and longing’, Sydney’s Child, Copeland Publishing, entered by editor Sean Mooney.

Finalists: Jill Margo, ‘Brought to their knees’, Australian Financial Review; Jane Albert, ‘Too old to dance?’, Dance Gazette; Colleen Gilbey, ‘Giving the gift of life’, Your Life Magazine.

Nadine Fisher and Richard Fidler

National – Regional and suburban newspapers – weekly, bi-weekly and daily

Winner: Nadine Fisher, ‘Fay Gleave: our commander’, Daily News

Judges’ comments: Well written, excellent subject shows a senior who is still making a valuable and worthwhile contribution to her society. The writer took a newsworthy subject and developed it in an appealing way, investing the subject with a great personality.

Runner-up: Megan Kinninment, ‘Tapping the elixir of youth’, Weekend Star.

Finalists: David McKenzie, ‘A New University’, The Colac Herald; Nadine Fisher, ‘Sue’s our hero’, Daily News.

Marissa Williams and Richard Fidler

National – Metropolitan daily, weekend newspaper & newspaper magazine articles

Winner: Marissa Williams, ‘Healthy Ageing’, Health & Medicine section, The West Australian

Judges’ comments: The judges considered these articles (example pictured above) were well researched and tackled a number of issues which affect seniors. It was particularly commendable as Ms Williams showed a consistency in producing quality pieces covering sport, surrogate grandparenting, love, dancing, camping etc. The judges wanted to commend The West Australian editors for encouraging the series which reflects well on the paper and its values.

Runners-up: Mark Dapin, ‘Portrait of an artist as an old(er) man’, Good Weekend, Fairfax Publications; Janet Hawley, ‘People’s Choice – Di Morrisey’, Good Weekend, Fairfax Publications.

Finalists: Amanda Place, ‘The sky’s the limit for the new elderly’, The Age.

Noel Fitzpatrick accepting on
behalf of The Australian Women's Weekly, OPSO president
Val French AM, nominator
Yvonne Rae and
MC Richard Fidler

People's Choice Awards

People’s Choice – Photography

Winner: The Australian Women’s Weekly – various photographs in beauty and fashion

Winner nominator: Yvonne Rae

“I nominate for an OPSO award The Australian Women’s Weekly, the only national women’s magazine which regularly features positive images for women over 60.”

People’s Choice – Advertising

Winner: CHE Australian Pensioners Insurance Agency television ad

Winner nominator: Jean Baird & Ronald Baird

“This advertisement is older people talking in a casual and relaxed attitude about a service for older people which would encourage all to check it out. A positive, casual ad that should win the Media Awards because it is our age talking, our language and about our product!”

People’s Choice – Print

Winner: Susan Hudson, for an obituary, ‘Sister Aileen – defender of less fortunate and ‘hopeless cases’ ’, The Age

Winner nominator: Timothy Nolan

“Sister Aileen was a tireless advocate for the downtrodden and disadvantaged in society. No person, no matter how bereft, was a ‘lost case’. Later, she was as old as the souls she was saving. She was a shining light in a dark world forgetting its compassionate heart. Thanks Sister Aileen.”

People’s Choice – Electronic

Winner: Peter Cundall, ‘Gardening Australia’, ABC TV

Winner nominator: Lenore and Lionel Phelps

“At 79, Peter Cundall is surely a delightfully positive icon to all older Australians. His enthusiasm for the physical activities of gardening is so contagious, encouraging others to grow many plants – especially a few vegetables – for good mental and physical health. He inspires us.”

Media Monitors prize

Winner: Anne Ring, for her contribution of hundreds of entries – representing hours looking articles, photos and television for images of positive ageing.

Callum Rix and Richard Fidler

Introducing: Student People’s Choice Awards

Winners:

• New South Wales – Erik Hausoul – Richmond High School
• South Australia – Alicia Callisto – Marryatville High School and
  Theadora Tomlian – St John’s Grammar
• Western Australia – Emily Webb-Smith – Geralton Grammar and
  Nadia Martinez – Balcatta Senior High School
• Victoria – Camille Savoid – Our Lady of Sion College
• Queensland – Callum Rix – Cavendish Road State High