The Illawarra Mercury's commitment to powerful local storytelling has been recognised on a national stage, with two of its journalists taking home top honours.
Championing Women in Sport
Sports journalist Grace Hamilton was awarded the prize for Best Sports Story across the entire Australian Community Media (ACM) network. The award, presented at ACM's annual editorial awards night in Sydney, honoured her compelling piece on young rugby league footballer Indie Bostock.
Hamilton's story delved into the sexism and online trolling Bostock faced at a time when she should have been celebrating her athletic achievements. In a candid interview, Bostock expressed her frustration at being sexualised rather than recognised for her skill and hard work on the field.
"I don't want to be known for people looking at my body," Bostock told Hamilton. "They still think they have a right to degrade us and say rude things ... just because we're females."
The judging panel noted that the trust Hamilton built with Bostock, allowing for such frank insights, created a story that transcended sport. Throughout the year, Hamilton has consistently highlighted the rise of promising young female athletes in the Illawarra region and the battles they wage for recognition.
A Portrait of Passion and Intensity
Photographer Anna Warr secured the Sports Photograph of the Year award for her stunning portrait of charismatic Illawarra Hawks coach Justin Tatum. The image was captured during the Hawks' emotionally charged championship season, which ended a 24-year title drought.
Warr explained that her focus was often on capturing the high-octane drama of Tatum's reactions on the sidelines as much as the action on the court. Tatum's passionate coaching style frequently made headlines, including an instance where he was fined for criticising a referee's call.
"No matter what he was doing, his passion and support for his team was always evident," Warr said of the award-winning moment, which gave Hawks fans an intense, close-up view of their coach in his element.
Local Talent, National Recognition
The dual wins at the December 2025 awards ceremony underscore the Illawarra Mercury's role in delivering quality journalism that resonates both locally and nationally. Both Hamilton and Warr have been praised for their work in bringing the region's stories to life with depth, empathy, and technical excellence.
The Mercury has expressed immense pride in its award-winning team and looks forward to seeing their continued impact in 2026.
