The Awards Story
Named after the trailblazing indigenous journalist Les Kennedy, the Kennedy Awards were initially conceived in 2011 to recognise excellence in journalism in the state of NSW.
Almost immediately the Kennedys were shaped by the quality nature of the entrants - attracting journalists from the likes of Four Corners, 60 Minutes, The Australian, A Current Affair, 730 Report, SBS and the Financial Review to become a truly independent, national celebration of the best Australian journalism in forms.
Staged by the Kennedy Foundation, the awards were created by journalists for journalists - open to all-comers with no agendas or historical affiliations.
A decade later the Kennedys have become the Australian media's night of nights - celebrated for their inclusiveness, independence, respect for the past and for fostering the next generation of the nation's finest journalists.
2022 - Nick Mckenzie Journalist of the Year recipient
2021 - Sharri Markson delivers her speech when winning The Mike Willesee Award for Outstanding Nightly Current Affairs
2020 - Winner of Outstanding Reporting on the Environment, Peter Hannam
2019 - John Lyons accepting the award for Outstanding Online News Breaking
2018 - Jana Wendt proudly shows off her Lifetime Achievement award
2017 - Michael Usher winner of Outstanding News Reporting
2016 - David Speers wins Outstanding Political Reporting
2015 -Journalist of the Year winner, Caro Meldurm - Hanna
2014 - Winner of the Jim Oram Award for Feature Writing ,Trent Dalton
2013 - Adele Ferguson wins the Peter Ruehl Award for Outstanding Columnist
2012 - Inaugural winner of the Kennedy Award for Journalist of the Year Kate McClymont
