Star Weekly sport editor Tara Murray’s coverage of Werribee Football Club’s 2024 Victorian Football League premiership has been recognised at the Victorian Country Press Association (VCPA) awards.
Murray conducted interviews with Werribee coach Jimmy Allan, chief executive Mark Penaluna, captain Dom Brew, Norm Goss medalist Jack Henderson and players Cooper Whyte and Nick Hayes following the win as part of her overall coverage of the match.
The judge said the resulting double page spread was reminiscent of post-match personal interviews of key players and personalities seen on television coverage of sport, earning her the Best Sport Story Award.
“Our top marks go to Star Weekly’s Tara Murray for capturing the same engagement in print, setting a new post-match reporting standard following Werribee’s historic VFL premiership,” the judge stated.
“Her double page spread featured revealing in-depth interviews.”
Star Weekly was also highly commended in the Best Locally Produced Advertisement Award.
The ad for DFV Lawyers ran demanded attention, according to the judge.
“Sitting below the editorial it delivers a direct call for immediate action for those needing support,” the judge said
“The image is no-nonsense and conveys everything I would be looking for in a lawyer – professional fierceness.
“The colour scheme is eye catching but the use of quotes in the headline conveys almost an intimate conversation between the reader and the lawyer.”
The VCPA awards were held in Yarrawonga on 24 October.
