Byron Coast Times shortlisted for state award

THE Byron Coast Times has been named a finalist in the Overall Newspaper Excellence Award at this year’s Country Press NSW Awards of Excellence.

The free newspaper category drew a strong field, with the Byron Coast Times shortlisted alongside the Hunter River Times and Dubbo Photo News.

A record 227 entries were received across 19 categories, with winners to be announced at the combined CPNSW and VCPA conference on October 24 at Silverwoods Resort, Lake Mulwala.

Times News Group managing director Warick Brown said the shortlisting recognised the work of the Byron Coast Times team and the community that supports it.

“It’s a credit to everyone who works on the Byron Coast Times each week,” Brown said. “From our journalists and photographers to production, sales and distribution, this shortlisting belongs to the whole team and the community that supports us.”

Judging is weighted 50 per cent to editorial and photography, with advertising and production making up 25 per cent each. Newspapers are assessed on three editions published over the past year.

Now in its 125th year, Country Press NSW will mark the milestone at the gala event, which will also feature presentations from Age editor Patrick Elligett, investigative journalist Nick McKenzie, and La Trobe University academic Andrea Carson.

In August, the Byron Coast Times was also shortlisted for Emerging Publication of the Year at the 2025 Mumbrella Publish Awards, to be announced in Sydney on September 25.