Congratulations to our finalists and winners
Council to Homeless Persons is grateful to all Victorian Homelessness Media Award entrants for their commitment to ethical, inquisitive, and productive reporting on homelessness issues.
This year’s entries prove yet again that Australia is home to truly exceptional journalists. Making the list of finalists is an achievement in its own right.
Each finalist receives a framed print of an artwork from The Torch, Circles of Life by Dave M.
Best feature category
Charmayne Allison
Homelessness: A 21st century tragedy (podcast and digital story) / ABC Shepparton
What the judges said:
“Sensational journalism…. She got to the nitty gritty of what is happening in the Shepparton area and seemed to really grasp the issues.”
Ella Archibald-Binge and Laura Francis
The push to create more social housing / ABC 7.30
What the judges said:
“A compelling story told across two cities, with a variety of lived experience voices… So watchable… well-researched.”
Sherryn Groch – Winner
Bob slept on trains. Now he has a home. The fix was simpler than you might think / The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald
What the judges said:
“Outstanding…. This could be a white paper on housing and homelessness policy solutions… her commitment to in-depth research is clear.”
Katherine Smyrk
Finding Home: Coronavirus as a Catalyst for Change / The Big Issue
What the judges said:
“Well-rounded and worthy journalism… Katherine honoured the experiences of the people in her story.”
Best news category
Luke Henriques-Gomes
Decades of neglect: Victoria has built less than 10% of its public housing pledge as waiting list swells / The Guardian
What the judges said:
“Demonstrates his ability to quickly unpack complex issues and use data in a meaningful way…. Marries the political perspective with the human angle.”
Elle Marsh
No vacation from evictions / Saturday Paper
What the judges said:
“Very constructive way of using a lived experience to give life to a complicated narrative … does an excellent job of joining the dots between housing policy and homelessness.”
Margaret Paul
Melbourne’s latest lockdown sees hundreds of homeless people return to hotels (TV and digital story) / ABC News
What the judges said:
“Brave, humane and timely story… sensitively told.”
Jewel Topsfield – Winner
‘I want to be safe’: Angst as homeless told to exit homes / The Age
What the judges said:
“An excellent representation of the true realities for those of us who have been homeless… Deft writing and a critical insight into homelessness policy during the pandemic.”
Best suburban / regional journalism category
Alex Darling and Rebekah Lowe
Older women turn to caravans and share-housing as they face homelessness in regional Victoria / ABC Wimmera
What the judges said:
“Shines a light on a cohort that becomes invisible… reporting beyond stereotypes.”
Jackson Graham – Winner
Certainty for homeless recedes but some take positive turn after months in Warrnambool motels / The Standard (Warrnambool)
What the judges said:
“Exceptional coverage of the lived experience of homelessness… and interesting angle about what difference the access to motels have made.”
Deirdre Graham
The complex nature of homelessness, The road back from homelessness, Push for Riverland crisis accommodation (series) / The Murray Pioneer
What the judges said:
“Creates deeper understanding… interesting and moving to read about how this young man descended into homelessness.”
Harrison Tippet
Out in the Cold (series) / The Geelong Advertiser
What the judges said:
“Beautifully written and explores so many different issues. All case studies are moving but the one about Kyle is outstanding.”
Best student / early career journalism category
Jack Jowett, Fletcher Ellwood and Nesara Haideri
The Standard Growing pressure and loss of safeguards puts more people on the street / Swinburne University
What the judges said:
“A solid article which incorporates a mix of statistics and expert voices.”
Ciaran O’Mahony – Winner
How advantaged thinking in youth foyers is tackling homelessness / The Jaded Newsman
What the judges said:
“Prioritises voices of people with lived experience with links to evidence. Engaging read.”
Bhavya Pandey
Traumatised, lonely and homeless; a tale of international students’ survival in Australia / Monash University
What the judges said:
“A unique perspective on the often-overlooked experience of international students in Australia.”
Savannah Pocock
Upstart Pandemic exposes women’s vulnerability to homelessness / La Trobe University
What the judges said:
“Strong article using a personal story, statistics and expert opinion.”