ABC Far North journalist Adam Stephen has been named the winner of the 2025 Bean Lockyer Ticehurst Award for Excellence in Regional Journalism.
The award was established by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) to honour ABC cameraman John Bean, journalist Paul Lockyer and chopper pilot Gary Ticehurst, who died in a helicopter crash while on assignment in 2011.
Stephen took home first prize for his sustained coverage of Queensland's 2024-25 summer of natural disasters which not only kept people safe as events unfolded but continued to inform and reassure during the rebuilding process, said LGAQ Chief Executive Officer Alison Smith.
"From clearly communicating the information communities needed during the emergency when for some radio was their only lifeline, to interviewing mayors of impacted communities as the trusted and reliable voices of what was happening on the ground to dramatic rescue stories told by the people who were plucked from roofs lapping with floodwater, Adam's work covered the full gamut of the weather emergency," Ms Smith said.
"But just as importantly, when the media pack moved on as the waters subsided, Adam has continued to turn the focus back on those communities so none are left behind."
Judging criteria for the Bean Lockyer Ticehurst Award includes newsworthiness, incisiveness, public benefit and impact on the understanding of the issues and challenges facing regional Queensland, reflecting doggedness and professionalism for which John, Paul and Gary were renowned.
