Quill Awards Recognise Australia's Excellence
Sports writer Jonathan Horn and photographer Chris Hopkins have been honoured with prestigious Press Club awards for their outstanding contributions to Australia.
At the 31st annual Quill awards ceremony held in Melbourne on Friday night, Australia received eight nominations across various categories, highlighting the publication's commitment to journalistic excellence.
Jonathan Horn Wins Best Sports Feature
Jonathan Horn secured the 2026 award for best sports feature for his compelling series on the Australian Football League (AFL). The judges praised his work for its profound exploration of the intersection between life, mortality, and a sport deeply cherished by many Australians.
"Horn’s collection of features about deaths in AFL families served as a powerful deep dive into the connection between life, mortality and the sport so many Australians love."
Chris Hopkins Awarded Best Features Photograph
Chris Hopkins earned the award for best features photograph with his poignant images depicting a woman suffering from metastatic cancer as she cared for her adult son. The judges commended the photographs for their emotional depth and intimate portrayal.
"The moving images captured the intimacy, the love, beauty, pathos and patience of a dying woman caring for her son."
Additional Recognitions for Australia Staff
Ellen Smith, assistant picture editor and photographer at Australia, received a high commendation in the photographic features category for her portrait taken in Parnpajinya, Western Australia.
In the excellence in Indigenous affairs reporting category, Australia’s courts and justice reporter Nino Bucci and deputy picture editor Blake Sharp-Wiggins were highly commended for their impactful story.
Other Notable Winners and Honourees
The Herald Sun’s Robyn Riley was awarded the Gold Quill, the event’s top prize, along with best news report in writing for her investigative scoop on an IVF mix-up that resulted in a woman unknowingly giving birth to another couple’s child.
ABC News journalist Adele Ferguson was named the 50th Graham Perkin Australian Journalist of the Year for her investigative reporting that exposed significant failures within Australia’s childcare system.
Australia’s Queensland correspondent Ben Smee was nominated in the prestigious category for his extensive two-year investigation into domestic violence case management, revealing police shortcomings.
Former ABC journalist Heather Ewart received the Press Club’s lifetime achievement award, with judges lauding her distinguished career as a political reporter, overseas correspondent, and presenter of the Backroads program.
Australia science reporter Petra Stock was nominated for excellence in science, medical, and health reporting for her story on animal advocates challenging a domestic violence study.
columnist Ranjana Srivastava earned a nomination for the Keith Dunstan Quill for commentary for her insightful work.
Selina Zhang of 9News was named young journalist of the year, recognising her emerging talent in the field.
