Frequently Asked Questions about The Walkley Awards.
In 2009, we introduced the online entry system. We had great success with it and hope you found it easier to enter the Walkley Awards. This year, we have enabled entries in PRINT, CARTOON/ARTWORK, ONLINE and PHOTOGRAPHY categories to be uploaded in entirety online.
What date do entries close?
Entries close at 5pm, Wednesday, Septmeber 1, 2010
What are the conditions of entry?
All work must have been published in an Australian media outlet in the 12 months from September 1st, 2009 to August 31st, 2010.
What does it cost to enter the awards?
The cost of entering the awards, including GST, is $260 per entry. Through its support of the Walkley Awards, the Alliance covers the entry costs for its financial members as a benefit of membership. Financial members are not required to pay the entry fee except where a non-member is part of a group entry, in which case the normal entry fee ($260 only) is required. You can call 1300 65 65 13 to discuss membership options.
What do I need to include with my entry?
- One entry form packing slip with assigned entry number - register online
- Four copies of your entry (except print, online, photography, artwork/cartoon)
- Payment (if necessary)
Do I have to include an entry statement of up to 400 words?
Yes, your entry statement is to assist the judging process and should outline the case for consideration for an award. You may address the judging criteria and explain the circumstances in which the entry was produced. You may write less than 400 words, but no more. The online entry form submission process will not accept more than 400 words so please write them in a word document first and do a word count before dropping it into the entry form.
Do I need to have the entry form authorised?
Yes, it is compulsory that you have it verified by your employer or employer representative to validate the work. This process is done online. Once you enter their details into the system it will generate an email to them asking them to verify the correct details you have submitted. Their verification entry email will come directly to us and a copy also sent back to you. An entry will not be considered until all steps have been completed.
How many entries can I submit to the Walkley Awards?
You may only enter once in each category, however you may enter as many separate categories as you like, as long as each entry is different.
Can I submit the same work into more than one category?
Entrants are allowed to submit the same work into one media-specific category (print news, radio news or TV news) as well as one relevant all-media category (eg all-media investigative journalism).
Are group or team entries permissible?
Yes, group or team entries are permissible but must follow the group/team entry guidelines.
How do I enter?
Complete the entry form registration online and send it in with the following material. Failure to supply the following may result in disqualification of the entry:
- FOUR copies of the entry must be submitted along with a ONE PRINTOUT OF YOUR CONFIRMATION OF ENTRY EMAIL WHICH INCLUDES YOUR ENTRY NUMBER.
- This applies to all categories EXCEPT print, cartoon/artwork, online and photography. Please see below for our new entry instructions.
How should I present a print entry?
During the online entry process, you will be prompted to upload your work as a PDF, no larger than 4MB. Where there is more than one article in the entry, please upload all PDFs in the individual browse bars provided. You no longer have to post hard copies of your work to us.
How should I submit a television or radio entry?
Each radio and television entry should be supplied on four separate, clearly marked DVDs or CDs (for radio entries), bearing the name, address and telephone number of the entrant and the duration of the entry plus a transcript. With discs burnt on DVD set-top recorders please ensure that the set-top recorders aspect ratio is set to the same ratio as your footage: eg, 4:3 or 16:9. Also please make sure that there is no copyright encryption that would prevent the copying & duplication of your DVD. See DVD Guidelines for technical specifications.
Most multimedia formats can be screened, however a DVD master is preferred. Where finished pieces are only available as digital video file the saved format should be QuickTime DV-PAL at the highest quality setting with a screen resolution of 720x576 (4:3) or 1024x576 (16:9).
If you can only provide work as data files on a CD or DVD use the same screen resolution as above - 720x576 (4:3) or 1024x576 (16:9) - and save your video as a QuickTime movie file saved with the DV-PAL codec set at maximum quality.
If the work can't be generated in these frame sizes we may accept frame sizes of 360x288 (4:3) or 512x288 (16:9) but the frame rate must be 25fps.
How should I submit a literary entry?
The Walkley Book Award specifically recognises journalism in book form, and is open to all examples of journalistic non-fiction works. Please forward five full versions of the published work, complete with 200-word synopsis and 200-word entry statement (five copies each). Titles can be an edited collection of up to five people, can be on Australian or international subject matter, and can be historical in context. Entries may be a joint collaboration. All titles must be submitted by the writer and authorised by the publisher. Authors must be Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia. Books will not be eligible if a significant portion has been previously published in book form. The Walkley Book Award has a separate entry form and can not be entered online. Please see www.walkleys.com for entry details.
How should I present an artwork entry?
Cartoonists and artists must upload their work (ONE cartoon or artwork per entry), electronically. During the online entry process, you will be prompted to upload your work as a PDF or JPEG. The JPEG or PDF file must be 300dpi and no larger than 4MB. You no longer have to post a disc to us.
How should I present an online entry?
Please insert the link to your entry when prompted. The link must be working and unaltered for judging from August to December. You no longer have to post a disc to us. A senior editorial manager must certify that the work was published on an internet site.
Are there special conditions of entry for photographers?
There is a new entry system for photographic entries. Go to www.walkleys.com and click on the separate ‘photography entry’ button where you will be sent to upload your images and give a brief description of the images, publication and dates. There is no longer a need for you to send in a separate disc or entry statement.
What are the criteria for judging?
Award winners will be chosen on the basis of journalistic excellence. This will vary according to individual categories but, in general, criteria will include:
- newsworthiness
- research
- writing
- production
- incisiveness
- impact
- public benefit
- ethics
- originality
- innovation
- creative flair
Judges will take regard of the resources available and effort expended in the preparation of the work. Find more information on the Award categories.
How are entries judged?
Entries are initially judged by a three-person jury. Exceptions to this are the photographic awards, which will have a five-person jury, and the non-fiction book award which will have a three-person panel presided over by the Walkley Advisory Board Chair. See the Judging Guidelines and Conflict guidelines.
The jury will recommend the best three entrants to the Walkley Advisory Board. The Board will then select the best entrant in each category together with the ‘Journalism leadership' award and the Gold Walkley.
Will entries be returned?
Please keep copies of all material submitted. Entries will not be returned.
Where can I get an entry form?
In 2010 the Walkley Foundation is asking entrants to enter via online registration. If you have any problems please contact us to request a pdf version of the entry form which will manually have your entry number. If you have any technical problems please let us know asap so we can have our technical support services rectify any inconvenience.
How are finalists notified?
Finalists are announced at national finalists' announcement events held in Sydney and Melbourne in October. National finalists will be announced on Wednesday, October 20, 2010. Winners of the Nikon-Walkley Prizes and all photographic finalists will be announced on Thursday October 14. Business journalism finalists will be announced on Tuesday, October 19. Non-fiction Book Shortlist Announcement will be held on Monday, November 9. Finalists will also be notified by mail and email.
When will winners be announced?
The winners will be announced at the 55th Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism, to be held in Melbourne on Thursday December 9, 2010.
