General News
27 October, 2026
Tweed Coast, Parkes, and Gundagai Take Top Honours at Country Press NSW Awards
Winners in the 2026 Country Press NSW Awards of Excellence, the oldest continuous media awards in Australia, have been announced
By Greg McFarland
Twenty categories were contested for this year’s awards, encompassing photography, news, sports, advertising, digital, editorial and overall excellence.
For the fifth year in a row, overall participation in the awards increased, with a total of 238 entries competing for honours in 2026.
The five-member judging panel was comprised of retired publisher Wanda Dunnet OAM (Narrabri); leading photographer Zenio Lapka (Bathurst); editor, journalist and digital news expert John Thistleton (Canberra); publisher and marketing consultant Bob Holland (Orange); and award-winning journalist and editor Andrew Fisher (Cowra).
The 2026 winners were revealed at a gala dinner held in Orange on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Best Human Interest or Rural Photo: Ian Johnson, Corowa Free Press.
Best News Photo: Kylie Devine, Gunnedah Times.
Best Sports Photo: Brian Scott, The Bugle.
Best Advertising Feature or Campaign: The Bugle.
Best House Advertisement: Central West & Hilltops Farmer.
Best Locally Produced Advertisement: Michelle Brown, Forbes Advocate.
Best Magazine or Special Publication: Corowa Free Press.
Best Digital Presence: The Riverine Grazier.
Best Editorial Coverage: Deniliquin Pastoral Times.
Best News Story: Christine Little, Parkes Champion Post.
Best Opinion: Zoe McMaugh, Deniliquin Pastoral Times.
Best Sports Story: Renee Powell, Forbes Advocate.
Emerging Journalist of the Year: Pancho Symes, Tweed Coast Times.
Journalist of the Year: Kimberly Grabham, The Riverine Grazier.
Best Front Page (Free Newspapers): The Bugle.
Best Front Page, Paid Over 700 Copies: Corowa Free Press.
Best Front Page, Paid Under 700 Copies: Wee Waa News.
Best Free Newspaper: Tweed Coast Times.
Best Paid Newspaper (Over 700 Copies): Parkes Champion Post.
Best Paid Newspaper (Under 700 Copies): Gundagai Independent.
