Moree won an award and came runners-up in another, which shows the calibre of the Moree community.

Country Press NSW has more than 120 member newspapers read by residents and visitors in rural and regional NSW.

The Moree Champion won the Award for Newspaper Marketing and Promotion 2008-2009 and was runner-up in the EC Sommerlad Memorial Award for Newspaper Presentation 2008-2009.

Moree Champion manager Ron Turton received the award on behalf of the Moree community and its newspaper. “Without advertisers and readers we wouldn’t be in a position to get here. We are so proud to represent Moree in the media,” Mr Turton said.

“To come away with a first and runners-up out of all of NSW is a huge thrill.”

The Champion received great remarks from the judges; they acknowledged the paper’s outstanding achievement in both categories. The judges acknowledged The Champion for its Crazy Day held in April this year, and our fuel competition.

“The Moree Champion had “Crazy Day”, a perfect example of how to create something out of nothing, more than a (crazy) idea amidst a drought to boot.”

The judges gave “full marks for a bold idea, well supported editorially and in advertising with commendable results.”

The judges said, “The Moree Champion is a bright and cheerful looking paper. Its front pages are very ‘newsy’ without looking cluttered, while inside pages are simple and easy on the eye. When given a little extra space (for example in a special liftout on a boxing tournament) the staff demonstrated considerable flair and a nice eye for good use of colour and graphics.”