NORTH East Media journalists attended the annual Rural Press Awards on Friday night in Bendigo, with Euroa Gazette senior journalist Darren Chaitman taking out the inaugural Community Champion Award.

Darren’s entries focused on the suspension of the Strathbogie Shire Council, along with community concerns on the Euroa-Mansfield Road, as well as the revival of Euroa’s largest single event, the Australian National Show and Shine.

Mansfield Courier journalist Emma Oliver was also one of six finalists for the Community Champion award, receiving a commended for her coverage of the merger threat to the Mansfield District Hospital and its potential lack of autonomy.

Former Mansfield Courier journalist Hannah Kennelly, who left North East Media to join The Age earlier this year, was recognised for her work as runner-up in the Ray Frawley Young Journalist of the Year award.

Hannah’s feature coverage of women’s football, the Voice referendum and a new Kelly film were pieces which highlighted her storytelling talent.