Gary Hughes (journalist)

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Gary Hughes is an Australian journalist. [1]

In 2009, Hughes was awarded the Gold Walkley [2] and named Australian Journalist of the Year [3] for his coverage of Victoria's Black Saturday bushfires, of which he was a victim, for The Australian . [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

During the disaster Hughes and his wife almost died as their home burned around them. His first hand account gained global attention. Hughes later wrote an open letter to Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, detailing the distress Centrelink staff were causing to bushfire victims by telling them they needed identification to access emergency financial assistance despite their homes being completely destroyed by fire. [9] [10] This prompted Federal Government ministers Joe Ludwig and Jenny Macklin to advise Centrelink to treat bushfire victims more leniently. [11]

Hughes has spoken publicly of his experiences during the Black Saturday fires a number of times. [12] [13] [14] During one interview, Hughes admitted that when fellow bushfire victims were abusing and spitting at him and other members of the media as they passed them at a police roadblock while fleeing the bushfire ravaged area, he began to feel conflicted about the role journalists perform in relation to how they treat victims of trauma. [13]

As an investigative journalist, Hughes has won numerous awards, [15] including three previous Walkley Awards and two Melbourne Press Club Quills. [16]

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References

  1. ↑ (12 October 2007) Gary Hughes, senior writer, Melbourne, The Australian , News Corp Australia. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  2. ↑ (26 November 2009) Gary Hughes wins top Walkley for Black Saturday stories, news.com.au , News Corp Australia. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  3. ↑ Publisher, Master. "2009 Perkin award winner Gary Hughes". Melbourne Press Club. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  4. ↑ Hughes, Gary (5 March 2009) How I almost died, twice, The Australian, News Corp Australia. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  5. ↑ Hughes, Gary (8 February 2009) How we cheated flames of death, The Australian, News Corp Australia. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  6. ↑ Burrowes, Tim (27 November 2009) A hugely deserved Walkley for Gary Hughes, Mumbrella , Diversified Communications. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  7. ↑ Holmes, Jonathan (23 December 2009) Bushfire tragedy inspired the best from Australian journalists, The Drum , Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  8. ↑ Sexton, Reid (20 March 2010) Reporter lauded for tale of survival, The Age , Nine Entertainment Co. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  9. ↑ Robinson, Georgina (11 February 2009) 'Cut the red tape' plea, The Sydney Morning Herald , Nine Entertainment Co. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  10. ↑ (12 February 2009) Centrelink 'cruel joke' angers bushfire victims, ABC News , Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  11. ↑ Ministers tell Centrelink to be lenient with fire victims, The World Today , Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  12. ↑ (10 February 2009) 'It was a hell': journalist Gary Hughes tells of miraculous escape, ABC News, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  13. 1 2 Cowan, Jane (12 February 2017) Life after Black Saturday: 'I'd never go back and I'd advise anyone, don't go', ABC News, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  14. ↑ Hughes, Gary (1 February 2019) Black Saturday bushfire memories still haunting survivors forced to rebuild lives over 10 years, The Australian, News Corp Australia. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  15. ↑ "Gary Hughes". www.theaustralian.com.au. 11 October 2007. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  16. ↑ "Walkley Winners Archive". The Walkley Foundation. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
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