Eureka Street has won two ARPA and two ACPA awards in 2007.
At ARPA:
Category 2
Best News Reporting - Magazine
Winner:
"Catastrophe on Australia's Doorstep", by Peter Cronau, Eureka Street
It was hard to go past Peter Cronau's photo essay on the spread of HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea. His photography, the extended captions for each, and the accompanying essay had my total attention from go to whoa. Peter is a professional working journalist, and he was obviously hugely advantaged in being able to travel to PNG and talk to a wide range of people in putting the photo essay together.But he did his research and follow-through very thoroughly, set the catastrophe within the context of the country's social and political life, and dealt with an emotionally-charged subject in a very downto- earth way. Christian churches respond to such an epidemic in different ways, and Peter's article encompassed those different responses.
Category 4
Best Editorial
Winner:
"Christmas takes us beyond ‘family first'", by Andrew Hamilton, Eureka Street
The descriptors for this category emphasise ‘topicality, quality of argument and writing and a distinctly Christian perspective'. In a high quality field of submissions the winning editorial stood out for all of these reasons and for some others as well. In the nature of the iconoclast it was questioning and critical, it took risks, it challenged complacency. One may not agree but one is forced to engage, to think. It was a strong example of the genre of editorial opinion writing.
At ACPA:
Highly commended: Eureka Street
Category 1: Best News Story
Author: James Massola
Title: "Simple Pleasures in Melbourne's North African Heart"
Category 2: Best Feature Story
Winner: Eureka Street
Author: Peter Cronau
Title: "Catastrophe on Australia's doorstep"
Comment: Peter's story of the HIV/Aids crisis in Papua New Guinea was told in a poignant, original way. He used the combination of a photo essay and a feature story to lay bare the issue and the plight of those in its midst. With pictures and words, Peter revealed faith and social justice in action through the Aids Angels - the nuns, lay workers, and activists - battling to help those in need; the courage of its victims; and the desperation of the prostitutes who continue to ply their trade, despite knowing the danger they face. The story's backbone was its strong reporting through the gathering of the staggering figures, and the setting out of the debate.