Australian Redemptorist publication The Majellan has taken home the top gong at the 2022 Australasian Catholic Press Association awards last week.
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 at the Australasian Catholic Press Association Annual Awards Dinner, Thursday 8 September at the Sheraton Hotel, Melbourne.
More than 60 Catholic media and communications professionals gathered for the occasion, and for the association’s annual conference and awards dinner which finished with Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral with Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli.
As the first conference in two years because of cancellations caused by COVID-19, 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”.
Presenters at the Conference included keynote speaker, author and journalist Greg Sheridan. Mr Sheridan shared his insights and experience as a journalist, and in writing his most recent book, Christians, the urgent case for Jesus in our world.
Delegates at the conference also had the opportunity to visit the Dr Sr Mary Glowrey JMJ Museum and the (St) Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre.
The Tablet journalist Christopher Lamb also joined delegates via Zoom, talking about his experience of working as correspondent to the Vatican in London and Rome.
Catholic News Service journalist Junno Arocho Esteves was also interviewed for the conference, sharing his insights and experience of reporting on Pope Francis, and how Catholic communication professionals in Australia can be witnesses of the truth in the modern age.
The awards, which are held annually, recognise excellence in Catholic magazines, newspapers and digital publications across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.
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.
Full list of winners
Best News Content
Winner – The Catholic Leader
Highly Commended – Melbourne Catholic
Best Feature Content
Winner – The Catholic Weekly
Highly Commended #1 – Columban Missions
Highly Commended #2 – The Southern Cross
Best Editorial, Column or Blog
Winner – The NZ Catholic
Highly Commended – Wel-com
Best Headline
Winner – Catholic Outlook
Highly Commended – Marist Messenger
Best Content – Climate and Environment
Winner – Aurora, Diocese of Newcastle
Highly Commended – Catholic Outlook, Diocese of Parramatta
Best Content – Social Justice
Winner – Australian Catholics
Highly Commended – Melbourne Catholic
Best Content – Education
Winner – Kete Korero
Highly Commended – The Cross Roads, Ballajura Parish
Best Content – Catechesis & Mission
Winner – Church Alive
Highly Commended – The Catholic Leader
Best Content – Faith and Life
Winner – Horizons, Diocese of Toowoomba
Highly Commended – Divine Word Missionaries
Best Content – Ecumenical/Interfaith
Winner – The Southern Cross
Highly Commended – The Catholic Outlook
Best News Content – Multiple Authors
Winner – The Majellan
Highly Commended – Melbourne Catholic
Best Feature Content – Multiple Authors
Winner – Madonna Magazine
Highly Commended – Diocese of Parramatta/Catholic Outlook
Best Original Photograph
Winner – The Catholic Weekly, Giovanni Portelli
Highly Commended – Aurora, Callum Howard
Best Original Artwork
Winner – Australian Catholics
Highly Commended – Kete Korero
Best Front Page – Print or Online
Winner – Aurora, Diocese of Maitland/Newcastle
Highly Commended – Salesians PNG
Best Layout and Design – Website
Winner – The Majellan
Highly Commended – Australian Catholics
Best Layout and Design – Publication
Winner – Columban Missions
Highly Commended – Aurora
Most Improved Publication
Winner – Kete Korero
Highly Commended – Columban Missions
Best use of Electronic Media
Winner – Mass for you at Home (Diocese of Wollongong)
Highly Commended – The Majellan
Best Advertising Feature / Supplement
Winner – NZ Catholic
Highly Commended – Wel-Com
Best Online Publication
Winner – Eureka Street
Highly Commended – The Good Oil
Best Print Publication
Winner – The Majellan
Highly Commended – Tui Motu
Bishop Philip Kennedy Memorial Award for Overall Excellence in a Catholic Publication
Winner – The Majellan