Frances Whiting awarded 2023 Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism Award
Journalist and columnist Frances Whiting has been awarded the prestigious 2023 Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism Award at the Queensland Clarion Awards.
QLD News
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Journalist and columnist Frances Whiting was on Saturday night awarded the prestigious 2023 Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism Award.
Whiting received the honour at the Queensland Clarion Awards in Brisbane, with judges saying she was a “Queensland institution’’.
“Her ability to effortlessly switch between light and shade, humour, and tragedy is truly inspiring,’’ they said.
Whiting is an award-winning journalist, a senior feature writer for Qweekend, a best-selling author and has written a weekly column in The Sunday Mail for more than 25 years.
Whiting said she felt very honoured to receive the award.
“Although, in many ways for me, being a journalist remains a reward in itself because I love what I do. I love telling stories, and I love that people trust me with their stories,’’ she said.
“To be recognised by my peers as someone who strives to do this job well is very touching to me.’’
Prominent Queenslanders and media figures paid tribute to Fran Whiting’s contribution to the industry.
Sunday Mail editor Anna Caldwell said Whiting’s column was the longest consecutively run column in Australia, and that she’d become “part of the family” for readers.
“Frances is also a world class storyteller and has a long history of delivering Queenslanders stories that matter and make a difference”.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Whiting was an extraordinary interviewer.
“I have told Frances things about my life that I doubt I would have shared with any other journalist,’’ she said.
“Empathy and trust are vital journalistic tools that are rarely celebrated. Over many years, Frances has earned that trust and a loyal following.’’
Hannah Clarke’s parents, Sue and Lloyd Clarke, commended the care that Whiting took in telling their story.
“At a time when we were at a very low and vulnerable point in our lives, Frances was incredibly patient and kind in waiting for us to be ready to tell our story,’’ they said.
“And then she was so sensitive and caring in telling it.’’
Dame Quentin Bryce said: “As an interviewer, she is probably the most trusted journalist in Queensland’’.
Other winners from the Courier Mail included Peter Badel who won the sports journalism award for his ‘poignant, considered and well-told story’ about the death of Queensland sporting great, Paul Green.
Kate Kyriacou also won best feature article for ‘MH17: The untold story’, with judges praising her ‘dogged cultivation of sources, extensive research, expansive interviews and beautiful prose’.
Originally published as Frances Whiting awarded 2023 Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism Award
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