Tamborine Mountain News was awarded second place in Best Free Newspaper at the Queensland Country Press Association Awards on May 22.
Judge Dr Caroline Graham said after the loss of so many local newspapers during COVID, it is heartening to see so many start up titles coming into their own as now established parts of their community, alongside legacy publications continuing to serve their communities with strength and purpose
Placing behind Cairns Local News, Dr Graham said Tamborine Mountain News distinguishes itself through substantial long form feature writing and local government reporting that speaks directly to issues shaping the region’s future.
“Strong human interest stories sit comfortably alongside investigative and civic journalism, creating a publication that feels deeply connected to its community,” she said.
“The glossy format gives the paper the quality of a keepsake while also serving as a valuable historical record for Tamborine Mountain.
“Overall, it is a community driven publication with a clear sense of place and purpose.”
Tamborine Mountain News Editor, Keer Moriarty thanked the community for their support.
“We aim to be the voice of the community and we are grateful to people who trust us to tell their stories,” Ms Moriarty said.
“All of our team work hard to produce this fortnightly newspaper, and we are very fortunate to have a team who are dedicated and very good at what they do.
“Having Cindy Lever on the staff has been incredibly important.
“Having someone who lives locally and works hard to be connected with the community is so important for our paper.”
Scenic Rim Media, the locally owned and run company that contains Tamborine Mountain News, Beaudesert Bulletin and Canungra Times in its stable, ranked well at the awards against several larger publications.
Beaudesert Bulletin Editor, Susie Cunningham, was among the best in the state for local journalism, taking out third place in Journalistic Excellence for an Individual Journalist.
Beaudesert Bulletin also won third place for Best Locally Produced Print Advertising Campaign for a series of advertisements for Hoof and Paws veterinary surgery.
Photographer Katie O’Brien won first place for Best Sports Picture and, for the second year running, also received first place for Best Community or Portrait Picture.
Both awards were for photos taken at the Canungra Rodeo in 2025.
