General News
10 November, 2025
Champion of communities
MAJOR Victorian journalism awards have recognised your local Loddon Herald.
Rural Press Club of Victoria on Friday night named the Loddon Herald managing editor Chris Earl both its 2025 journalist of the year and this year’s community champion journalist.
The awards recognised significant stories in Loddon communities.
Featuring in both awards was last October’s Hero Snub that reported on national recognition of a State Emergency Service unit for its rescue of a man from Wedderburn’s Nardoo Creek the previous January.
The Loddon Herald reported anger that local community volunteers, not members of the SES, who had risked their lives and performed the rescue had been snubbed.
A series of stories on the snub led to the Federal Government intervening and the Australian Maritime and Safety Authority releasing a statement and updating its website to acknowledge the community volunteers for the rescue.
Those local rescuers in August received Victoria Police commendations for their bravery.
Print and online coverage of protests against the State Government’s emergency services tax and Loddon Shire’s draft concept plans for the Inglewood streetscape project, including a DJAARA proposal to have the malleefowl on town signs, also featured in the journalist of the year portfolio.
Judges said: “There’s no smaller newsroom than the Loddon Herald’s. Chris Earl not only keeps his geographically diverse readership in touch with what is happening, he actively advocates on their behalf.
“His clear, empathetic style isn’t chasing scandal – it is reflecting the real issues that affect his community. And his perseverance pays off.
“The Herald is a shining example of what even the smallest of local papers can achieve if it keeps a clear focus on its purpose: serving its readership. “He proves that journalistic instincts, active networks and personal drive can deliver great outcomes.”
Among stories in the community champion section was the report on Pyramid Hill’s former aged care hostel last November, empty for five years, that triggered talks between the community and Respect Aged Care that saw the facility handed back to the community earlier this year.
Judges said the stories “demonstrate how much local journalism really punches above its weight, despite the tyranny of distance and little resources. The Loddon Herald’s three stories truly championed the community and had real impact.”
The awards were entered by newspapers, radio and television across Victoria with Chris highly commended in the breaking news section for coverage of the emergency services tax protests involving Loddon residents in Bendigo and Melbourne.
He was commended in the best news story print.
The media outlet of the year award was presented to ABC Gippsland, this year marking that radio station’s 90th anniversary.
And in the Victorian Country Press Association awards, the Loddon Herald was highly commended for best sports story with its report on wind farm speculators and mining prospectors sponsoring local clubs.
Chris said: “Our constant aim is to mirror our communities, share their stories ... these awards belong to our communities.”