Captain Joy Sprouts Wings - by Emily Wild - 2009 Winner of the Joseph Coulter Photography Award
Harness Racing Australia (HRA) announced today the HRA Media Award winners for the 2008/2009 season.
Winners are spread from all corners of the nation and take in all forms of media.
When congratulating the award winners, HRA Chairman, Geoff Want, paid tribute to all award nominees, “I personally thank and praise all harness racing media and contributors for their efforts in continuing to promote harness racing and the wonderful stories within.”
The full list of award winners follows.
For further information contact: Andrew Kelly 03 9227 3000
LITERARY
JOSEPH COULTER - BEST NEWS STORY
Record Distributions Mark Grim Reality – an incisive and well written article by Andrew Georgiou on the distribution of TAB funds to the New South Wales harness racing industry and the threat to funding overall, published in National Trotguide August 13 2009.
GRAHAM GOFFIN MEMORIAL AWARD – BEST FEATURE OF THE YEAR
Majoring In Good Luck – a fascinating feature by Matthew Stewart on the Tubbs family (trainer Alan and driver daughter Amy) and their association with the exciting pacer Melpark Major. A well written human interest story published in the Herald Sun on February 6 2009.
GRAHAM GOFFIN MEMORIAL AWARD – BEST HISTORIAL FEATURE
Origins of Horse Racing (Parts 1, 2 & 3) – a comprehensive three part series providing an insight into the history of horse racing … a historical “tour de force”, thoroughly researched and well presented by Nick Hooper and published in the HRNSW magazine The Gazette in June, July & August 2009.
BEST BOOK
Harnessing A Legend – The G.A. Lang Story. Max Agnew has penned a fine book chronicling the life and harness racing career of a true icon of our sport, Graeme Lang. Entertaining, informative and extremely readable.
BEST PUBLISHED ACTION OR STILL PHOTOGRAPH
Captain Joy sprouts wings on his way to winning a heat of the Alabar Victoria Derby, run at Ballarat on January 3 2009. Emily Wild captured this outstanding action photograph, which was published in Harness Racing Weekly and The Harness Racer magazine. The image has also been utilised for Tabcorp Park Melton promotions. (
click here to view photo)
BEST RADIO FEATURE TO AIR
Harness Review interview with Cameron George following his appointment as HRV Chairman of Stewards, aired January 5 2009 on community station 979FM in Victoria. An interesting and informative interview by Len Baker, assisted by Alexandra Hurley.
BEST TELEVISION FEATURE TO AIR
World of Harness Racing edition of March 29 2009 showcasing Watpac ID09 grand final night at the Gold Coast, aired on community station QCTV and hosted by David Fowler, who is also Executive Producer. This program, which also has considerable input from Chris Barsby, continues to provide entertaining coverage of all things harness racing to its audience in Queensland.
AWARDS OF MERIT FOR DEMONSTRATED EXCELLENCE IN PROMOTION
Harness Racing New South Wales & Alabar Bloodstock – Alabar Breeders Challenge. Nominated by Joel Fowler.
HRNSW Marketing together with Alabar Bloodstock Manager John Coffey formulated an industry driven marketing campaign that would set the foundations for future series promotion. The finals of the Alabar Breeders Challenge were also supported by the inception of the annual industry day which included stalls from breeders and industry associations.
Australian Standardbred Consultancy Pty Ltd – Harness Racing Half Century Wall Chart. Nominated by Kerry Baker.
This glossy wall chart suitable for framing and hanging was originally distributed to coincide with Watpac ID09. The wall chart’s 200 pictures include every Inter Dominion winner plus million dollar earners, Australian Horse of the Year plus an array of people, sires and events over the last 50 years.
