Herald journalists honoured

Herald journalists were last night recognised at the 2009 Sir Terry McLean national sports journalism awards in Auckland.

Netball and yachting reporter Dana Johannsen received a Sir John Wells Sparc Sports Journalism Scholarship, feature writer Michele Hewitson took out the sports column/opinion award and chief photographer Paul Estcourt was made a life member of the New Zealand Sports Journalism Association.

For only the second time in the 30-year history of the awards, the Sports Journalist of the Year prize was shared, by photographer Phil Walter (Getty Images) and Michael Holland (TVNZ) who both won two categories.

The awards, sponsored by Sparc, attracted around 250 past and present media and sporting celebrities. Among the special guests were representatives of the 1959 All Blacks team that beat the touring Lions.

Former Kiwi motor racing ace Bruce McLaren, who in 1959 became the first New Zealander to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix, was represented by his sister Jan and fellow New Zealand Grand Prix star Chris Amon.

AWARD WINNERS

* The Golf House Award for sports news print: Jonathan Millmow (Dominion Post)

* The Golf House Award for sports news broadcast: Craig Stanaway (TVNZ)

* Wilson Award for sports radio: Nigel Yalden (Newstalk ZB, Hamilton)

* Telecom Award for sports television: Michael Holland (TVNZ)

* Millennium Hotels Award for sports column/opinion: Michele Hewitson (New Zealand Herald)

* Steinlager Award for sports feature writing, newspapers: Tracey Cooper (Waikato Times)

* Steinlager Award for sports feature writing, magazines: Gregor Paul (Herald on Sunday)

* New Zealand Herald DJ Cameron young writer award: Simon Plumb (North Shore Times)

* Sparc Award for recreation/adventure/lifestyle reporting: Michael Holland (TVNZ)

* Sparc Award for sports photo portfolio: Phil Walter (Getty Images Auckland)

* Sparc Award for sports photography best single photo: Phil Walter (Getty Images Auckland)

* Sparc Award recreation/adventure/lifestyle photography: Phil Reid (Dominion Post)

Special Awards

* Sparc Sports journalist of the year: Phil Walter (Getty Images, Auckland) and Michael Holland (TVNZ)

* Fairfax Media best provincial writer award: Tracey Cooper (Waikato Times)

* Fairfax Media best provincial photographer award: Mark Taylor (Waikato Times)

* Garry Frew Memorial for outstanding contribution to provincial sports journalism: Wayne Martin (Nelson Mail)

* Sparc Lifetime contribution to sport through journalism: Bill Francis (The Radio Network)

* Sir John Wells Sparc sports journalism scholarship: Dana Johannsen (New Zealand Herald) and Aaron Lawton (Sunday News)