Our reporters and photographers well represented for awards - Toowoomba Chronicle

REPORTERS and photographers across a range of APN Australian Regional Media outlets in Queensland have been recognised as among the state's best.

The list of finalists for the 2014 Clarions, Queensland's equivalent of the Walkley Awards, includes several reporters across the APN stable.

Among the APN reporters listed were Owen Jacques, Vani Naidoo, Emma McBryde, Arthur Gorrie and Daniel Burdon.

Former Newsdesk reporter Owen Jacques was a finalist in four categories, with both Mr Jacques and Mr Burdon named as finalists in the investigative journalism category.

Newsdesk reporter Vani Naidoo was again listed as a finalist in the regional feature category for her stories.

The team at APN ARM's The Morning Bulletin in Rockhampton were also among the finalists, with Emma McBryde listed in both the regional news report and New Journalist of the Year and photographer Allan Reinikka for a photographic essay.

Gympie Times reporter Arthur Gorrie was also listed as a finalist in multicultural Queensland award.

APN Newsdesk chief Rae Wilson said the results showed regional newspaper journalists could mix it with the best in Queensland.

"Owen and Daniel showed great drive to pursue answers on issues that affect our regions while Vani's unique writing style enables her to tell strong, compelling yarns with a distinct regional focus," she said.

Last weekend, Newsdesk's former Sydney bureau reporter Jessica Grewal was also finalist in the Kennedy Awards for Excellence in NSW journalism.

Ms Grewal, now a reporter at the Fraser Coast Chronicle, was a contender for the John Newfong Award for Outstanding Indigenous Affairs Reporting thanks to her coverage of an inquest into the murders of three Aboriginal children at Bowraville but she lost out to Paul Dailey from The Guardian.

Ms Wilson said Ms Grewal's reporting on the inquest was balanced and compelling.

"She has a passion for seeking answers and her writing reflects an emotional depth beyond her years," she said.

The Clarions award winners will be announced in Brisbane on Saturday August 30.