The Luminous Award Australia 2009
Enlightened, Intelligent and Inspiring Cancer Reporting
The Luminous Award Australia recognises outstanding journalism in the field of oncology.
Hosted by the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia, the Luminous Award Australia honours journalists who serve their readers/viewers by providing responsible, accurate and timely information on advances in cancer prevention, research, treatment and patient support.
The stories the Luminous Awards have received in the past are inspiring and some readers have provided feedback to journalists explaining how their article has made a difference to them or has helped to save a life.
With the high burden of cancer in Australia, we feel it is most important to acknowledge the work journalists have in keeping the public informed of relevant health information.
The Luminous Award is proudly supported by Eli Lilly Australia.
Entries for the 2009 Luminous Award Australia (pdf, 252kb) open on 01 June 2009.
The closing date for entries is 31 July 2009.
All nomination forms (pdf, 714kb) and articles or DVD's must be received by 5:00pm (EST) on Friday 31 July 2009.
Judging panel
The Luminous Award Australia is judged by an independent panel who is represented by the following organisations:
- Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia
- Australasian Medical Writers Association
- Brain Foundation
- Cancer Voices Australia
- Clinical Oncological Society of Australia
- Leukaemia Foundation
- National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre
- National Breast Cancer Foundation
- Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
- The Australian Lung Foundation
- The Cancer Council Australia
The prize
The Luminous Award Australia offers a cash prize of AU$5000 in each of two categories – print and broadcast.
Winner of the 2009 Print Luminous Award Greg Bourne (centred)
2009 Print Winner
Gregory Bourne from Men's Health for his story "That Old Chestnut" was a story with a difference. The article was written from a personal point of view and had a profound impact on some of the judges. In fact it received top marks from one judge - the first time in the history of the awards.
2009 Print Runner-up
Jill Margo from the Australian Financial Review for her story: Prostate Cancer - All a matter of location. This was Jill's third award to dae in the Luminous Award program.
2009 Print - Highly commended
Marnie McMinnie - from the Western Australian for her reort on Cancer Factors.
Marnie was the winner of this award some 3 years ago and still produces first class articles relating to cancer.
2009 Broadcast winner
Sophie Scott from ABC TV's 7:00pm News for her report - 'Prostatae Cancer Screening'.
Sophie has been a long-time entrant and today her professionalism is finally recognised.
2009 Broadcast Runner-up
Gabriella Rogers - Channel 9 for her report on Lung Cancer.
Congratulations to everyone who entered the Luminous Award Australia this year. We received a high calibre of entries, with some great articles and broadcast pieces.
Previous winners
Karen O’Sullivan, Channel 7 News, Melbourne took out the broadcast category of the Luminous Award Australia 2006 for her story about the new cervical cancer vaccine, while Karalee Tilvern, SBS World News and Sophie Scott, ABC News were both named as highly commended entrants for their respective stories on stem cell research and melanoma.
Lynette Hoffman, freelance writer at The Weekend Australian was named as the print category winner for her article entitled ‘The Lost Generation’.
Jill Margo (Australian Financial Review) and Clara Pirani’s (The Australian) were both named as highly commended entrants in the print category for their respective articles entitled ‘Chris Callinan’s Journey’ and ‘Hope or Hype.’
Note: The Luminous Award was not held in 2008
Further information / the Luminous Award Australia 2010
If you have any questions about the Luminous Award Australia, or would simply like to be kept informed about the launch of the Luminous Award Australia 2010 please email cosa@cancer.org.au.