The culmination of four years dedicated efforts to bring free local news to the Mackay community has been recognised at the Queensland Country Press Awards, which were held in the Sunshine Coast last Friday night.
Mackay Life was honoured to bring home the award for Best One-off Commercial Feature for its in-depth coverage of the Fergus Builders 40-year celebrations. Sister publication, Burdekin Life also won Best Locally Produced Advertising Campaign and the broader Mackay and Whitsunday Life Newspaper won Best Free Newspaper in Queensland.
Representatives from Life Publishing Group were thrilled to bring home three accolades at the Queensland Country Press Awards on Friday night, the win however was bittersweet, with Mackay Life Editor Amanda Wright unable to attend having recently received a cancer diagnosis.
Despite this, Amanda said it really lifted her spirits to receive the news of the three awards from her hospital bed where she was recovering from bowel surgery to remove colon cancer.
“It was an emotional and uplifting moment during one of the most challenging times of my life,” she expressed.
“My cancer diagnosis has been an incredibly tough journey, filled with fear, uncertainty, and pain.
“But to have a nurse on hand at Mackay Base Hospital to hear with me that our newspaper has been honoured in such a significant way brought tears to my eyes, and she gave me an enormous hug.
“It was a profound reminder that I have so much to live for and many more celebrations are yet to come, as well as recognition of the importance of our work and the impact we have on our community.”
Amanda was diagnosed with Colon Cancer in April and, following a successful operation, she is about to begin intensive life-saving treatment.
Editor of Mackay Life Newspaper since its inception, Amanda’s talent, passion and personality is etched on every page of this newspaper – her stories are renowned for being compassionate, inspiring and engaging.
This was the third year in a row that Mackay and Whitsunday Life had attended the Queensland Country Press Awards, and Amanda was present at the previous two.
As such, it was a real honour for the team to receive the awards in her name, especially the award for Best One-off Commercial Feature which she had personally written.
Amanda said winning an award for the Fergus Builders Special Feature showcases the quality editorial and advertising we deliver right here in Mackay.
Rebecca Douthwaite, owner of Mackay and Whitsunday Life Newspaper and the broader Life Publishing Group, said she understands the value these features bring to the community.
“Big businesses come to us to celebrate big events such as their birthdays, milestones and rebranding, they do that because we involve everybody in their business, and we get everybody excited about it – we are very passionate about running corporate features and obviously very good at it!” she expressed.
Amanda agrees, saying all three awards are a testament to the team's passion and hard work.
“They are a source of immense pride,” she shared.
“They represent in a tangible way our unwavering commitment to delivering quality, free news to our readers and giving businesses a powerful advertising platform.
“And of course, taking out the big state award of Best Free Newspaper of the Year means more to me and the team than words can express, especially those who have been here since Mackay and Whitsunday Life's inception almost four years ago.
“I still remember our very first photo shoot in Queens Park, with the headline PRINT IS BACK! And look at us now.”
Federal Member For Dawson
Andrew Willcox
A huge congratulations to the Mackay and Whitsunday Life & Burdekin Life Team on being awarded the Best Free Newspaper in Queensland. Amanda, Bec, Rachael, Sam and your entire team, this is a testament to the hard work and dedication to provide the news to our communities.
Member For Whitsunday
Amanda Camm
Congratulations Mackay and Whitsunday Life the Best Free Newspaper in Queensland!
An outstanding local publication!
1: Mackay Life Editor Amanda Wright
2: Sales Manager Jess Clarke
3: Cadet Journalist Hannah McNamara
4: Rachael Smith, Editor in Chief of Life Publishing Group, Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli, and Owner/Publisher of Life Publishing Group, Rebecca Douthwaite at the Queensland Country Press Awards in the Sunshine Coast on Friday. Photo credit: Samantha Wantling
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