Awards put us in 7th heaven

"Come on the Bay" rang out as Hawke's Bay Today dominated the APN Regional newspaper awards held in Taupo last night.
The paper picked up seven gongs across editorial and advertising categories.
First on stage for the night was deputy chief photographer Paul Taylor who won Senior Photographer of the Year.
His portfolio included photographs of the joy on New Zealand bowler Chris Martin's face when capturing a wicket, the devastation of a laid-off meatworker and the enthusiasm of children caught up in a dramatic performance. Other memorable pictures were Anzac Day commemorations and a mass of shells washed up on a beach.
Also awarded on the night were chief reporter Grant Harding as Columnist of the Year. The judges commented on his "brain power" feature and an editorial on his son which moved one of the judges to tears, "which said it all about the quality of his writing".
Last year's winner of the category, deputy chief reporter Roger Moroney, was highly commended.
Health reporter Kate Newton won Reporter of the Year (senior) for her work on the sacking of the health board.
Hawke's Bay Today also won the community involvement award for its entry "Big Effort by Little Elms". The newspaper followed and supported the building of the Little Elms child cancer support complex.
The judges said the success of the campaign was judged by the community wanting to support and be part of the project after reading the articles.
On the advertising side, Michelle Landers won sales manager of the year in community newspapers. Her team's work also won the "best composite page" award for the Napier Courier and Hastings Leader.
The advertising department won one of the major advertising categories for a joint venture publication with the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce, "A Step Forward".
Kimberley Aukett was highly commended as sales consultant of the year.
General manager Matthew Sherry said he was delighted with the awards the company won and it was a reflection of where Hawke's Bay Today was heading.
"It was a well deserved result for the dedicated efforts of the staff of the paper."
The guest speaker was Hawke's Bay media personality Paul Holmes.
The annual awards honour journalists and advertising staff working on daily and community titles including the Wanganui Chronicle, Bay of Plenty Times, Northern Advocate, Daily Post (Rotorua), Hawke's Bay Today, Wairarapa Times Age, Christchurch Star and Oamaru Mail.