Mrs McCormick said the award for Editorial Writing would be particularly treasured because of the importance that she placed on this aspect of the newspaper.

“The editorial gives the newspaper its character: its contents I deliberate over at length and while at times I express opinion forcefully this is not done at whim.”

What secured the Editorial Award for the News Weekly, according to the judge’s comment was: “The editorials are passionately local, but above all, are well-informed. They give context to the issue and then create an informed and credible argument.

“Nothing beats an editor writing coherently and persuasively on an issue he or she has researched and which is of direct concern to the readers. Whether you agree with the point of view or not, there is a sincerity of belief in the argument. The language and tone is moderate and direct. No grandstanding here. “These editorials do not allow shallow sentiment and clichéd generalisations to fudge a well-constructed argument.”

In the section in which the newspaper was runner-up for the EC Sommerlad Award for Editorial Leadership and Community Involvement the judges commented:

“As the sole newspaper directly serving 11,000 people in the lower South Coast, the Merimbula News Weekly has a personal connection with its closely-knit community, which regards it as a vital member of “the family”. Its intimate involvement with everything that goes on; its thorough, fair and comprehensive approach to reporting; and its campaigning style of journalism ensures its readability and respect as an indispensable catalyst that makes a difference.

“Struggling with rate rises totalling 35.55 per cent during the past four years, the community had had enough and the Weekly fanned a revolt involving articles, editorials, letters and meeting supporting residents. In the end, the Local Government Minister rebuffed the Bega Valley Shire Council and granted a 6.51 per cent increase, lower than that sought.

“A six-year community-newspaper campaign, to provide a heated aquatic centre at Pambula gained the green light when the Federal Government approved a $2m infrastructure grant after realising the council was chipping in $260,000 and community fundraising over years had reached $750,000. What an effort!

Further joy arrived when Canberra produced additional funding to enable Merimbula Jetty’s refurbishment and upgrading of a major tourist precinct, the Merimbula Lake Foreshore.

“The Weekly was in the forefront of a desperate, nine-month campaign to save Pambula Hospital and have its maternity services returned, Convincing editorials, dozens of pages of letters, copious, bannered news pages, protests, public meeting, a rally of 2500 and a petition of 22,000 signatures highlighted the community outcry to the State and Federal Governments, which had fallen on deaf ears up to June 30. Northing more could be done.

“The disastrous February bushfires in Victoria struck a raw nerve in Merimbula and the Sapphire Coast. Many residents have relocated there from the southern state which also is the major source of holiday-makers and visitors.

“The Weekly’s sensitive handling of the issue lifted spirits, aroused a huge public response and spawned many fund-raising activities which raised $50,000 for the Bushfire Appeal from an area with a low socio-economic base.

“Three semi-trailer loads of goods were dispatched to the ravaged area and local people opened their homes to victims as the newspaper published many narrowing stories. This tragedy provoked compassion-in-action and responses to other problems throughout the year revealed a newspaper and a community with an open heart and a strong will.

In warding the News Weekly for the award for Journalism (weekly newspaper) the judges said: “The Merimbula News Weekly pulls well above its weight. This newspaper is right on top of local issues and tireless in pursuing the best interests of its readers. One of its latest campaigns was to challenge the local council on a rate rise the newspaper believed was not necessary. Council had introduced a levy and kept adding to it. Another campaign focused on underage drinking - important but not popular with some who like their social problems kept under the carpet.”