2007 Health Awards

Medicines Australia chief executive Ian Chalmers today presented Roy Eccleston, of  The Weekend Australian, with the Medicines Australia 2007 Health Journalist of the Year Award.

Mr Eccleston was named as one of the four category winners for his story Think or Sink in The Weekend Australian magazine. His prize as overall winner is a study tour to the United States with a focus on the health industry.

Mr Chalmers presented the award immediately prior to the 2007 Federal Election Health Debate at the National Press Club.

“This is a richly deserved award,” Mr Chalmers said.

“Roy is a very worthy winner in a field which was of a particularly high standard this year.

“For most Australians there is no more important issue than their health. Health journalists have a significant role in raising awareness of health-related issues. These awards recognise the importance of that role.”

The annual Excellence in Health Journalism Awards is hosted by the National Press Club of Australia. National Press Club President Ken Randall said “Australian Journalists and publishers have risen to the occasion with the submission of entries that importantly were of high quality”.

Mr Randall also thanked the awards corporate supporters – Medicines Australia as Awards Principal sponsor, Pfizer Australia, CSIRO, Australian General Practice Network and Pharmacy Guild of Australia as supporting sponsors.

The full list of winners is:

BEST NEWS FEATURE / ARTICLE OR PRESENTATION
Health, Health Sciences or Innovation
Roy Eccleston – The Weekend Australian, Think or Sink

BEST DOCUMENTARY OR DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Health, Health Science or Innovation
Claire Gorman – ABC Radio 666, The Organ Donation Project

BEST FEATURE / ARTICLE OR PRESENTATION
Health Policy, Health Economics and Health Business
Christian Catalano – The Age, Lethal Risk from Blood Transfusion

BEST NEWS FEATURE / ARTICLE OR PRESENTATION
For reporting on Health, Health Science or Innovation directed to medical professionals
Jane McCreadie, Paul Smith, Brad McLean and Warren Clarke – Australian Doctor, Postcards from the Edge

HEALTH JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Awarded to the most outstanding entry among the winners of the previous four categories
Roy Eccleston – The Weekend Australian

Media Enquires:
Maurice Reilly
Chief Executive
Ph: +61 2 61212152 (direct)
Mob: +61 0415 738 473
Email: ceo@npc.org.au

Contact Person:

Jamie Nicholson
Media Communications Manager
Phone: 0419 220 293
Email:
 Jamie.Nicholson@medicinesaustralia.com.au