The Walkley Foundation - Walkley Awards FAQs

Barrie Cassidy and Virginia Trioli present at the 2008 Walkley Awards in Mebourne

Frequently Asked Questions about The Walkley Awards.

What date do entries close?

Entries closed at 5pm, Tuesday Septmeber 31, 2009

What are the conditions of entry?

All work must have been published in an Australian media outlet in the 12 months from September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009.

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.

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
Four copies of your entry statement
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 enter as many separate categories as you like as long as each entry is different. However you may enter only once in each category.

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 should I present a print entry?

All entries should be sent with the numbered entry form emailed to you after registering online. Every entrant must sign this entry form. Print stories should be collated and secured in four submissions, each secured with a paper clip or bulldog clip. No staples. Do not use folders, mailing tubes or plastic sleeves to present the work. Do not supply whole newspapers or publications. A pdf version of the entry should be submitted on a CD.

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?

Six full versions of the published work, complete with 200-word synopsis and 200-word entry statement (six copies each) are required for book judging. The Walkley Award for ‘Best non-fiction book' has a separate entry form.

How should I present an artwork entry?

Entries to the artwork section should comprise one original or high-quality copy of the cartoon or artwork. A high-resolution and low-resolution copy of the file should be included on a disc with the work.

Are there special conditions of entry for photographers?

Yes, photographers are required to enter online registration on the Walkley site and register online via the Nikon website at ww2.nikon.com.au/ppy, where they are required to upload their low-resolution images for judging. They should then send into the Walkley office a copy of high-resolution images on CD by mail together with the email registration packing slip supplied with their online registration which contains their entry number and the photography entry form.

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 2009 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 October 14, 2009. Winners of the Nikon-Walkley Prizes and all photographic finalists will also be announced on October 12 in Sydney. Business journalism finalists will be announced on October 13. Non-fiction Book Shortlist Announcement will be held on November 9. Finalists will also be notified by mail and email.