The Times-Age won two major categories at the New Zealand Independent Community Newspapers 2020 Awards which were announced yesterday via email.
It was awarded ‘Best Front Page Newspaper’ for two 2019 editions [one pictured above], and also won in the category Best Idea/Innovation for Lakeview School principal and Masterton district councillor Tim Nelson’s book ‘Small Steps For a Happy and Purposeful Life’ [above left].
Nelson has been a weekly Wairarapa Times-Age Midweek contributor since February 2018. His column, Midweek Musings, offers readers inspirational ideas to help them live a happy and purposeful life.
Last year, Nelson mentioned in passing that publishing a book was on his bucket list.
So the Times-Age obliged.
Using previously published columns, the book was compiled and designed by operations manager Bevan Wills and published by the Wairarapa Times-Age. The book was made available by local booksellers.
“When the idea of this book came across my desk I jumped at the chance to work on it, and Tim was very easy to work with,” Wills said.
“My team and I have a great deal of pride in our work so it is really rewarding to be recognised for the work that we are doing both for special projects and the Times-Age itself.”
It was the Times-Age’s second foray into book publishing, following ‘100 Years, 100 Lives’, based on Wairarapa people’s experiences in World War I, in 2018.
Wairarapa Times-Age publisher Andrew Denholm said “I am super proud of the team and it is good to see recognition for the great work that is being done by the staff of the paper.”
The Wairarapa Times-Age also earned third-equal in the ‘Best Community Newspaper’ category.
Editor Grant Harding said it was the first time the Times-Age had entered the awards since becoming an independent.
“It was good that the two wins encompassed work that had appeared in both the Times-Age and the Midweek, and it was particularly a credit to the design work of Bevan Wills and his department.
“Not that I’m a bad loser but we’ll take our third in the Best Community Newspaper category and stew on it until next year, especially after we were also nominated in the Voyager Media Awards but came up without
the cigar.”
NZCNA Annual Awards
Wairarapa Times-Age
Best Front Page Newspaper: Winner
Best Idea/Innovation: Winner
Best Community Newspaper: Third-equal
