Broken Hill’s Barrier Truth received two design awards this week at the Country Press SA Awards thanks to the creative genius of the paper’s in-house design guru, Noel Browne, who won the paper Best Front Page and Best Advertisement – Priced Product 2023.
Under the heading of Snow Mann, former Broken Hill mechanic now working in the Antarctic, Shane Mann, took centre stage on the Barrier Truth’s winning front page on Saturday October 21, accompanied by the Christmas Cancelled heading that highlighted the cancellation of a southside community Christmas event.
Judged by senior journalist at The Fassifern Guardian, Wendy Creighton said, “the first-place winner was an easy choice due to layout and design.”
“A stand-out entry,” said Ms Creighton. “The reader’s eye is first drawn by the photo – icebergs on the front page of a local newspaper circulating in Broken Hill and surrounds must be a rarity.
“Next the reader’s interest is piqued by a superb two-line headline declaring the cancellation of Christmas. The main photo is sharp, well balanced and colourful and the inset headline and paragraph give a quick understanding of the local ‘hook’,” she said.
“The main story headline is succinctly explained in the pull quote and text from the local story that supports it,” said Ms Creighton. “Overall, the layout and design is excellent – clean and clear, balanced and free of clutter – and the colour choices in the pointers under the masthead complement the main photo. An outstanding front page.”
A Vines Furniture One full page “AUSSIE MATTRESS CLEARANCE” advertisement was the subject of The Best Advertisement in the Priced Product 2023 award, also designed by the Truth’s Mr Browne.
Judged by Trevour McAuliffe with over 20 years’ experience with Fairfax Media and current Country Press SA coordinator, he said the full-page advertisement was a great attention grabber.
“Immediately this advertisement catches your attention,” said Mr McAuliffe. “Whether you are in the market to purchase a mattress or not, the graphic at the top of the advertisement states its purpose albeit cartoon type figures, the images portray a feeling of being totally relaxed and having a good night sleep, which is something that is so important in today’s environment.”
“The balance of the advertisement is excellent with massive savings on the mattresses highlighted in red, lots of white space and the non-use of a border gives the impression that the advertisement is bigger than what it really is,” said Mr McAuliffe. “In fact, it looks larger than a full page, so congratulations to the salesperson and graphic team on a first class designed advertisement.”
PICTURE: The winning front page and ad, both designed by Noel Browne (Insert)
