The Southern Cross The Southern Cross

Read the latest edition. Latest edition

High praise for The Southern Cross

News

The Southern Cross has been applauded for its “quality” content and “innovative” distribution methods at the Australasian Catholic Press Association (ACPA) Awards announced in Bathurst last week.

Comments
Comments Print article

For the second year running, the Adelaide Archdiocese’s monthly newspaper won best newspaper as well as runner up in the best design and layout category. Journalist Lindy McNamara won first prize in the category of best education coverage for her “inspiring” story ‘Celebrating joyous learning at Our Lady of La Vang’.

The Southern Cross also received three awards at the Australiasian Religious Press Association Awards announced in Christchurch on September 8. These included a gold award for best editorial (‘Seeking Justice in the public square’ by Jenny Brinkworth) and silver awards in the best design, newspaper, and best website categories.

Judges for the ACPA Awards said in an ever-changing world of faith engagement, the Church’s mission of communicating the Gospel could no longer be simply ‘putting out’ news.

“It has to seek to make a difference,” the judges said.

“Under an overall marketing banner of Living Catholic, Adelaide’s The Southern Cross tells the story of its faith community and how they engage with the events and issues around them.

“An eye-catching front page ‘people’ photo across all submissions indicates a consistent understanding that communication first and foremost is all about people.

“This is followed throughout with a steady mix of quality-produced grass roots, national, and international content that relates consistently to its impact on the local communities and lives into which the newspaper is reaching. This is a rich and diverse community – and one to celebrate.”

The judges said what raised The Southern Cross above its competitors was its reach.

“The innovative ways of distribution undertaken by The Southern Cross – through digital distribution to Archdiocesan schools and inclusion in the local secular The Advertiser twice per year (broadening its reach during those times to over 160,000 copies and a readership of 300,000) is profoundly significant,” they said.

“Such efforts firmly place the Catholic voice into family homes, into the broader media landscape, and certainly into the public square.”

The winner of the Bishop Philip Kennedy Memorial Award for Overall Excellence in a Catholic Publication was The Good Oil, an online publication of the Good Samaritan Sisters.

The ACPA Awards were presented by Bishop Michael McKenna in the historic Keystone building in Bathurst following Mass at the Cathedral of St Michael and St John.

Comments

Show comments Hide comments
Will my comment be published? Read the guidelines.

More News stories

Loading next article