2013/2014 'Joseph Coulter' Media Awards

Where to now? Photo by Amanda Rando. 2014 Photograph of the Year.

The Harness Racing Australia (HRA) 'Joseph Coulter' Media Awards have been awarded to journalists, contributors and producers of harness industry media since 1976 in recognition of literary excellence, promotion and significant achievement.

HRA is pleased to announce the 2013/14 "Joseph Coulter" awards in the following categories:

BEST NEWS STORY OF THE YEAR

Trigger's final shot - a well written, topical story by Paul Courts marking the retirement of Smoken Up, published in Harness Racing Weekly on 7th August 2014.

Highly Commended
For the love of the game - The trots are back at the Ekka - Bernie Pramberg's entertaining look in the Brisbane Courier-Mail on 26th July at harness racing's return to the show arena.

BEST FEATURE STORY OF THE YEAR

For the love of the Game - a heart warming feature on the family influences that underpin harness racing and the passion, commitment and work ethic of the Lee/Craven clans from Victoria's western districts, written by Lucy McCormick and published in the Harness Racer April/May 2014 edition.

BEST HISTORICAL FEATURE

Broodmares are not created equal - an enthralling feature by Max Agnew in the Spring 2014 edition of Track Bred about breeder Max Allen and the achievements of his mare Ranji Maid, which began a family in the 1940s which is still producing black type winners today.

BEST REGIONAL STORY

Cramp's shot at history in pacing cup - an interesting story on prolific winning trainer/driver Shayne Cramp on the eve of his home town (Mildura) feature race, written by Matt Taylor and published in the Sunraysia Daily on 12th April 2014.

BEST PUBLISHED ACTION OR STILL PHOTOGRAPH

Where to now? - a quirky photograph of Beautide, trainer-driver James Rattray and his partner, Fia Svensson, taken by Amanda Rando and published on the front page of National Trotguide on 6th March 2014 following the Tasmanian pacer's outstanding win in the Inter Dominion final.

Highly Commended
Hitting the turn - taken by Cindy Hurley on 3rd August 2014 as the field negotiated the home turn at the first stand alone grass meeting staged in Queensland. Published on the Racing Queensland website.

BEST BOOK

MANAROA - The People's Champion - Peter Collier's latest book, published in May 2014, details the history of the popular New Zealand owned pacer Manaroa which raced with great success in New Zealand, Australia and America in the early 1970's.

RADIO - BEST FEATURE TO AIR

Tribute to Smoken Up - Nadia Horne produced and hosted this program on RSN's digital channel "RSN Carnival", dedicated to the wonderful career of Smoken Up prior to his retirement.

TELEVISION/VIDEO/FILM - BEST FEATURE TO AIR

Kathleen Mullan on the road to the Garryowen - A moving feature by reporter Pip Courtney on the ABC's Landline program in November 2013 on the challenge to equestrian stereotypes by Kathleen Mullen, as she took her beloved standardbred James to compete in the prestigious Garryowen at the Royal Melbourne Show.

AWARD OF MERIT - DEMONSTRATED EXCELLENCE IN PROMOTION

2014 Inter Dominion Championship & Event ambassador Stephanie Rice - exceptional promotion of the event across all media, utilising the personable Olympic swimming champion, by Harness Racing NSW and the NSW Harness Racing Club.

Highly Commended
TAB.COM.AU Charity Football Day in Victoria - promoted by Robbie O'Connell and Paul Courts, this fun day in Bendigo in August 2014, supported by many harness racing participants and followers, raised over $40,000 for the Children's Tumour Foundation and attracted widespread publicity for our industry.

AWARD OF MERIT - DEMONSTRATED EXCELLENCE IN SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE & INNOVATION

Harness Racing New South Wales - HRNSW surpassed 2,000 followers on Twitter and significantly increased Facebook followers to more than 11,000 following a successful Inter Dominion and Carnival of Cups promotion in 2014.

Congratulations are extended to not only each award winner but to all those who play an important role in promoting the sport of harness racing.