TOP GONG FOR OUR REGION Burdekin Life Brings Home State Award

Less than one year since its inception, Burdekin Life Newspaper is proud to report that it has been recognised with a gold award for the Best Locally Produced Advertising Campaign at the Queensland Country Press Awards which were held in the Sunshine Coast last Friday night.

Burdekin Life Journalist, Sam Gillespie, attended the awards and was thrilled to represent the team and the region, securing an award that cemented both the newspaper and the successful launch of the publication into the community.

Burdekin Life Journalist Sam Gillespie with Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli. Photo credit: Samantha Wantling.

Best In State
For Locally Produced Ad

Winners are grinners, and this was certainly the case for Life Publishing Group representatives who brought home three awards at the Queensland Country Press Awards over the weekend.

Burdekin Life Journalist, Sam Gillespie stood proudly with Burdekin Life’s award for Best Locally Produced Advertising Campaign for the My Pets Rural ad that graces this very page every week (see below).

Concepted and designed by the team at the central office located in the Whitsundays, these series of ads were a real hit with the judges.

“This series ticks all the boxes!” said the judges report.

“Great pics, great graphics and creative design elements. The message in each advert is clear and humorous. Each advert lists the products and services available at My Pets Rural. The consistency in brand recognition here is outstanding.

“This series is a standout winner.”

Production Manager, Crissy Bottrell was instrumental in designing the award-winning concept, alongside Ruby Gorlick who worked with the client on the initial idea.

“I love anything that makes people smile and shake their head at the same time,” expressed Crissy.

“I came up with my most “dad joke” worthy one-liners and it all rolled on from there.

“This would have to be my most proud achievement. In 30 years of working administration, I’ve had some highlights for sure, but this really tops it.

“Having my terrible sense of humour validated and revered is pretty monumental. My kids will have to think I’m cool now!”

Sam Gillespie said he was thrilled to receive the accolade on behalf of the team.

“Receiving an award of this stature within a year of launching Burdekin Life is a huge achievement and one that I am very proud to be involved in,” he shared.

“It’s not only recognition of the work that I and the team put into this publication every week, but an honour that we share with each and every one of our readers and supporters.

“The support of the community in launching Burdekin Life has been immense and I am very thankful of the assistance, guidance and feedback I receive from you all on a weekly basis.”

Owner and Founder of Life Publishing Group, which also produces Mackay and Whitsunday Life Newspaper, Core Life Magazine and Tripping Magazine, said the award was real validation of the success of the newspaper in its early days.

“We were asked by the community to come and start a newspaper because there was a real need for it,” shared Ms Douthwaite.

“So, for Burdekin Life to grow so quickly in just a few months and be recognised for its design that was put together by our team, is a huge achievement for everyone involved.”

At the same awards presentation, Mackay and Whitsunday Life Newspaper won gold for Best One-off Commercial Feature and gold for Best Free Newspaper in Queensland.

That publication is produced by the same team that produces Burdekin Life Newspaper and is where Sam Gillespie began his career two years ago as a cadet journalist.

“I’m also very proud of Mackay and Whitsunday Life, the publication with which I began my journalism career, being awarded Best Free Newspaper in Queensland and Best One-off Commercial Feature,” Stated Mr Gillespie.

“Contributing to these publications has been an incredible journey and has offered me so many unique opportunities, for which I am extremely grateful.

“Bringing free, fair, and relevant news to these communities is our passion and receiving this industry recognition is a huge feat for us as a team and one that we celebrate alongside you, our valued readers and supporters.”

Life Publishing Group representatives standing with Opposition Leader David Crisafulli at the Queensland Country Press Awards last Friday night. Sam Gillespie from Burdekin Life Newspaper, Rebecca Douthwaite Founder and Owner of Life Publishing Group, David Crisafulli Leader of the Opposition and Rachael Smith Editor in Chief of Life Publishing Group. Photo credit: Samantha Wantling

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