The Graham Perkin Award – Australian Journalist of the Year

Friday, March 23

Tony Koch, from The Australian, was tonight named the 2006 winner of the Graham Perkin Award for Australian Journalist of the Year.

The award was announced at the Melbourne Press Club Quill awards dinner held at the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne. The Graham Perkin Award for journalistic excellence was instituted in 1976 as a memorial to the late editor of The Age (1966-1975).

The judging panel, David Broadbent (chair), Shelley Gare and Jon Faine, said:

“Tony Koch’s reporting of the events surrounding the death of Cameron Doomagee whilst in police custody on Palm Island in Queensland was courageous, relentless and effective. Our very difficult decision to choose between several almost equally worthy entrants was influenced ultimately by the pursuit of the story right from its tragic start, through several inquiries, government brush-offs, a DPP who thought charges ought not be laid, and the bungled appointment of a retired judge to review the whole affair.”

The Graham Perkin Award (worth $20,000) is sponsored by The Age.

Source: The Age
Release Date: 23 Mar 2007 00:00