The team at the Ipswich Tribune was again recognised for their outstanding commitment to journalism and the community at the Queensland Country Press Association Awards in Brisbane on Friday night.

Journalist Rob Mellett won the two top individual journalism awards in a competition open to the organisation’s 61 newspaper membership.

Rob won Best Story by an Individual Journalist and the top gong, Journalistic Excellence Award for an Individual Journalist.

This is recognition of Rob’s determination to see a story through no matter how complicated it gets nor fold under pressure from those who would rather not see these important stories come to light.

Judge Caroline Graham said the top category was a difficult field to judge calling the entries “a truly vital and impressive collection of work.”

“Rob Mellett’s impressive portfolio of accountability reporting demonstrates a dogged pursuit of truth and fairness,” Ms Graham said.

“One submitted series sparked an inquiry led by the Queensland Mental Health Commissioner, the other saved a farm.

“He centres the voices of the community members most affected by the issues he covers, telling powerful human stories while holding power to account.”

Rob’s story ‘Wolston Park inquiry launched’ won the best single story category, the account was a culmination of months of reporting and gaining the trust of his sources to make sure this important story was told.

“This vital reporting revealed historic abuse at Wacol’s Wolston Park Mental Hospital, including rape, assault, withholding of medication and solitary confinement,” Ms Graham said.

“Rob Mellett’s tenacious reporting helped pressure the Queensland Government to release records that would otherwise have remained sealed and launch a state inquiry into patient abuse at the facility.”

In recognition of the fact that no one journalist can make a paper great, the Ipswich Tribune was also awarded with the second place in the Overall Journalistic Team Excellence Award.

“Clean layout and very readable. Rob Mellett consistently produced quality reporting and writing as did David Lems for the sports pages,” Judge Celine Foenander said of the Ipswich Tribune’s team.

“The Verve entertainment section was really well produced and put the spotlight on local events that otherwise may have been gobbled up in community news.”

Tribune photographer Lyle Radford also had a solid showing at the event taking the second and third places in both the Best News Photo Award and the Best Portrait award.

Lyle’s photo of the Grand Slam win for the Brother’s Leagues Club, took home one of the awards, with the judge effusive over the photographer’s ability to capture a moment.

“This photograph powerfully conveys the emotion of victory. Sharp and well-exposed, it freezes the moment of the grand final win, showcasing the unbridled joy on the man’s face as he raises the trophy,” Judge Derek Moore said.

All I can say is I am immensely proud of our team, day in day out our designers, advertising reps, administration officers, Journalists, photographers and contributors bring their best to each and every edition we publish.

None of these awards would be possible without the full support of the team, and for that I am honoured to be counted a small part of the best newspaper and team in Ipswich.