The Walkley Foundation has made the decision to move the Walkley Awards Gala Dinner and Regional Journalism Summit in Tamworth to February 2022 in light of the ongoing Covid-19 situation.
The Foundation intended to recognise and celebrate all the Walkley Award winners in person in November, but believes that current border closures and limits on guest numbers would make it impossible. Therefore the announcement will now be postponed to February when we will hold the Gala Dinner in Tamworth, with the support of the NSW Government.
“This year there will be a delay in the announcement of our winners, but moving the date to early next year will provide the best chance for a face-to-face event to go ahead while prioritising the safety of all staff, attendees and partners involved,” Walkley Foundation chief executive Louisa Graham said.
“The industry relishes the chance to come together to celebrate the year’s best, and we are going to aim for that opportunity in February.”
Award winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner on Friday, February 11, 2022 in Tamworth, following the Regional Journalism Summit on Thursday, February 10, 2022.
The Foundation appreciates the support of the NSW Government in promoting regional journalism and being flexible in supporting the date change.
The finalists for the 2021 Walkley Awards will be announced on Thursday, October 21, 2021, to allow the best chance at holding a safe, in-person event in Sydney, Covid restrictions permitting.
The Nikon-Walkley Press Photography Exhibition will be on display at NSW Parliament House in Sydney from Monday November 1 until Tuesday December 14, 2021. This will include the winner of the Nikon Photo of the Year Prize.
The 67th Walkley Awards program for 2022 will operate on the usual timeline, with entries opening on July 1, 2022, finalists announced in mid-October followed by the Gala Dinner in November 2022.
The 2022 awards will be open for stories published or broadcast between September 1, 2021 and August 31, 2022.
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Media enquiries
Please contact Walkley Foundation communications manager Clare Fletcher on 0432 616 810 or clare.fletcher@walkleys.com.
You can find information about the Walkley Awards judging process here, and the Terms and Conditions of the Awards here and conflict guidelines here.