Queensland media had their night of nights on October 21, with Courier-Mail journalist Peter Morley taking out the top honour for Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism at the 2006 Queensland Media Awards.

Morley got his start as a cadet at the Warwick Daily News in 1962, and built his career at The Courier-Mail from 1967, except for a stint overseas. He was the Courier’s political reporter for 20 years from 1978 to 1998, and mentored many great journalists including John Lehmann, Michael Madigan, Matthew Franklin and Tony Koch.

Known for his accuracy and impartiality, Morley’s way with a humorous anecdote and generosity with the fruits of his experience made him a favourite in the press gallery. Who better to win the award than the man regarded by journalists as “the father… or perhaps the grandfather… of the political press gallery”.

A special Press Freedom Award went to The Australian’s FoI editor, Michael McKinnon, for his tenacious and tireless work on Freedom of Information requests.

Other winners included Amanda Paterson and Lisa Ryan for Best Investigative Report (all media) for “Catching Casanova”, their hilarious but cringeworthy exposé of a Queensland conman for the Nine Network’s A Current Affair.

Cyclone Larry devastated Queensland in 2006, but the disaster brought out the best in the state’s reporters as the subject dominated winning entries. To name but a few: Sally Sara’s “After the Storm” for ABC TV’s Landline won the award for Excellence in Rural Journalism, The Courier-Mail’s Brian Cassey won the Freelance Journalism award for “Larry”, and Ten News’ Brett Clappis won Best TV News Report for “Cyclone Larry”.

Judges of the Three Best Headlines, won by Geoff Shearer of The Courier-Mail, lamented that this is the only category recognising the work of subeditors.

The Kevin O’Donoghue Award for Best Cadet or J1 Journalist (All Media) went to The Courier-Mail’s Patrick Lion.