ON Friday night, at the Victorian Country Press Association (VCPA) awards ceremony held in Torquay, The Shepparton Adviser received the Overall Newspaper Excellence (Free) Award.
The VCPA awards are annual awards that recognise excellence in the newspaper industry. The Adviser was a finalist in three categories, with a record 537 entries received, and 19 awards announced as part of the new-look for the VCPA’s major yearly event.
Judge Darren Robinson, president of Country Press South Australia, said, “The range of publications entered into this particular category all showcased their strong support for their respective communities. Consistency was key in judging, with a focus on maintaining high standards in advertising, production, photography and editorial. While some excelled in certain areas, they showcased weaknesses in others. Overall, I was thoroughly impressed.”
“The Adviser has been awarded Best Newspaper for 2024, standing out as a consistently solid performer across all areas. Its exceptional advertising features and special supplements set it apart, demonstrating creativity and execution.
“The publication excels in the small details, such as well-placed breakout quotes, effective use of colour and white space to enhance the reader experience, while maintaining an extremely high standard of print quality, delivered on premium stock.
“The Adviser’s ability to introduce new and fresh advertising features, done with skill and innovation, reinforces its position in this category of Overall Newspaper Excellence.
“Congratulations to the highly-dedicated team at The Adviser – the people of the Goulburn and Murray Valleys should be extremely proud too,” Mr Robinson said.
Finalists in this category included the Geelong Independent and Ocean Grove Voice, both free-to-read community newspapers with a circulation of over 2,500. The Adviser submitted newspaper editions published on March 13, March 27, and April 24, which were judged for the Overall Excellence award.
Geoff Adams, the managing editor of The Shepparton Adviser, expressed his gratitude, saying it was an honour to be recognised by the VCPA. He extended thanks to the judges and The Adviser team.
“The Adviser celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, and being recognised for overall newspaper excellence is a great honour. Our team works incredibly hard to produce exceptional weekly editions and standout special features, and being the inaugural winner of this category is very special to us.”
The Adviser extends its congratulations to award finalists and the 30 publications shortlisted, and sincerely thanks the VCPA awards committee and the broader community for their unwavering support. It is your support that has made The Shepparton Adviser a beacon of local journalism and advertising excellence.
