The Walkley Foundation has welcomed eight incoming members of the Walkley Judging Board:
Christine Ahern, (Today, Nine, Victoria), Karla Grant (NITV & SBS, NSW), Richard Guilliatt (freelance journalist and author, NSW), Saffron Howden (National Affairs Writer, ACM, NSW), Julie Lewis (Sydney Morning Herald, NSW), Greg Muller (LiSTNR, Victoria), Melanie Petrinec (The Courier Mail, Queensland), and Paul Williams (SBS, NSW).
They join existing members Sally Neighbour (Chair), Rashell Habib (10 News First, NSW), Gabrielle Jackson (Guardian Australia, NSW), Claire Mackay (ABC, SA), Konrad Marshall (Good Weekend, Victoria), Jake Nowakowski (Herald Sun photojournalist, Victoria) and Mark Riley (Seven News, ACT).
The Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism, first presented in 1956, are Australia’s premier national awards, benchmarking quality, best practice and ethical reporting.
Walkley Foundation CEO Shona Martyn said: “The role of the Walkley Judging Board is crucial in maintaining the integrity and excellence of the Walkley Awards. The senior journalists selected, from across the Australian media, ensure the fair, balanced and discerning assessment of the finalists in each category (previously selected by separate specialist panels in the first round judging). The Judging Board ensures that the winners of these prestigious honours are truly best-in-field. Membership of the Walkley Judging Board requires commitment, time and careful collaboration. We are delighted with the calibre of the new judges and thank them, and their predecessors for their support of Australia’s leading media awards.”
The Walkley Foundation is at the heart of the Australian media, recognising and promoting excellence in the craft. The Foundation advocates for high quality journalism and works collaboratively with journalists and media organisations across the country.
We thank outgoing board members Cameron Stewart, Suzanne Dredge, Anton Enus, Kathryn Wicks, Sarah Abo, Donna Page, Kate Kyriacou, Colleen Egan and Solua Middleton for their valuable contribution to the Foundation and Australian journalism.
The 70th Walkley Awards will open for entries on 1 July, 2025, with entries closing on 18 August, 2025. The winners will be announced at the 70th Walkley Awards Gala Dinner on 27 November, 2025, in Sydney.
Learn more about all the members of the Walkley Judging Board on our website here.