Stories of Brown Hill awarded

THE Brown Hill Community Newsletter was recognised in three awards categories at the recent Community Newspapers Association of Victoria conference.

Abrar learns to swim in the Brown Hill Pool, a story from BHCN’s 23rd edition, won Best Sports Reporting, with editing by Sarah Greenwood-Smith.

BHCN was also ‘finalist two’ in Best Feature Story for their piece about retiring kindergarten teacher, Christine Sullivan, and in Best Photograph, with Jimmy Rushton’s shot of his family; Hazel, Victoria and Fletcher Rushton.

Abrar Dham’s experiences learning to swim as an adult from a diverse community “really touched the judges’ hearts.”

“Never underestimate the power of peoples’ stories and how much they can inspire people, especially people from an African community like mine, or more traditional communities,” she said.

“I was embarrassed that I couldn’t swim, but realise lots of people from different cultural backgrounds can’t either.

“Hopefully this will inspire others to learn. There shouldn’t be that stigma.”

Traditionally, the newsletter has been a way to connect and inform Brown Hill, but now five years old, the committee is beginning to engage with more local issues and active residents.

“We’re now showing people how they can get involved in community projects and give feedback, and in between editions, we use our Facebook page to continue to engage,” Ms Greenwood-Smith said.

“The Newsletter has grown bigger and bigger because there is just such a need for it.”

Buninyong & District Community News’ Barry Fitzgerald and Gayle Adams were also honoured with a CNAV award for Best Editorial Comment.

BHCN, its directory and online hub were collectively recent community category finalists in the Keep Victoria Beautiful awards.

A Ballarat Community News Publications Network has launched, uniting local newsletters that are all individually CNAV members, and connecting the district’s likeminded volunteers.