Media Awards Finalists Announced

The Centre is pleased to announce the finalists in our 2021 Media Awards. These awards recognise excellence in reporting and the efforts of journalists who seek to elevate the voices of children, young people and families. 

The four award categories are: 

• Best story about children 
• Best story about young people 
• Best story about families 
• Best story about children or young people in out-of-home care 

These stories will be considered by a panel consisting of Centre CEO Deb Tsorbaris, Anglicare CEO  Paul McDonald, a representative from the office of Minister for Child Protection and Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, and a young person with a lived experience of care. 

Winners will be announced by Minister Donnellan on Thursday 25th November at the Centre’s Annual General Meeting. 

Congratulations to all finalists! 

Award: Best story about children 

Finalists: 

• Elle Marsh, Michelle Macklem, Cinnamon Nippard and Kate Middleton, 7AM Podcast, The debate over vaccinating children 
• Jenna Price, The Age, A lockdown silver lining? Families closer than ever, amid the loneliness 
• Nick McKenzie, 60 Minutes (Channel 9), Brave Sam’s message to child victims of family violence 

Award: Best story about young people 

Finalists: 

• Rachel Eddie, The Age, ‘I turned my scars into strength’: Victoria gets LGBTI homelessness support 
• Biwa Kwan, SBS, Young people in Victoria are being racially abused – but they aren’t speaking up about it 
• Harrison Tippet, Geelong Advertiser, Geelong youths share their homelessness stories, amid rapid rise in demand for emergency housing support during Covid-19 

Award: Best story about families 

Finalists: 

• Shibu Thomas, Star Observer, Victoria launches campaign to support queer family members 
• Neryssa Azlan, ABC, Muslims and non-Muslims in Australia on sharing the spirit of Ramadan 
• Andrea Neirhoff, ABC Gippsland, ‘I really want to be a mother’: How Sarah fought to be able to raise her daughter 

Award: Best story about children or young people in out-of-home care 

Finalists: 

• Mary Gearin, ABC, Pair applauded for volunteering to spend two weeks in isolation to keep kids in residential care company 
• Rochelle Kirkham, Ballarat Courier, Supporting Aboriginal children in out of home care 
• Luke Michael, Pro Bono News, Victoria extends support for every young person in state care