ABC News won the night for investigative journalism at last night’s Melbourne Press Club Quill Awards for Excellence in Victorian Journalism, with flagship Four Corners taking three top honours.
Four Corners reporters Caro Meldrum-Hanna and Sam Clark won the Grant Hattam Quill for Investigative Journalism for “Making A Killing”, their expose on the use of live-baiting in the greyhound industry.
The judges said: “This was a compelling and confronting investigation that continues to have far-reaching consequences for the greyhound racing industry. The team demonstrated extraordinary investigative skills and determination.”
The joint Four Corners/Fairfax team of Nick McKenzie, Richard Baker and Klaus Toft won Best TV Or Video Current Affairs/Feature over 10 Minutes for their report “True Detectives”. The result of years of dogged investigative reporting, it revealed evidence that the investigations of key gangland murders in Victoria were deeply flawed.
Another Four Corners/Fairfax team, of Adele Ferguson, Sarah Danckert and Klaus Toft, won Best Business Story in any Medium for their report “7-Eleven: The Price of Convenience”, which blew the lid off the exploitation of workers at convenience chain 7-Eleven.
Said the judges: “The 7-Eleven expose has the lot. A billion-dollar private company, a global brand, whistleblowers, undercover surveillance and explosive documents.”
Ferguson also won the Gold Quill and the Graham Perkin Journalist of the Year Award for her work, including the 7-Eleven story.
ABC winners and highly commended:
Best Business Story in any Medium
Winner: Adele Ferguson, Sarah Danckert & Klaus Toft (ABC Four Corners/The Age)
Highly commended: Josie Taylor & Alison Branley (7.30, ABC Television)
The Victorian Government Quill for Reporting on Disability Issues
Highly commended: Rachel Carbonell (ABC Radio National)
Best Three Headlines in any Medium
Highly commended: Barrie Cassidy, Kate Coghlan, Kellie Mayo (Insiders, ABC)
Best Use of Digital or Social Media
Highly commended: Russell Skelton (ABC Fact Check)
Best TV Or Video Current Affairs/Feature over 10 Minutes
Winner: Nick McKenzie, Richard Baker & Klaus Toft (ABC Four Corners/The Age)
Highly commended: Belinda Hawkins (Australian Story, ABC TV)
Best Radio Current Affairs Report
Winner: Jon Faine, Daniel Ziffer & Tess Armstrong (774 ABC Melbourne)
Grant Hattam Quill for Investigative Journalism
Winner: Caro Meldrum-Hanna & Sam Clark (ABC Four Corners)