The winner of the inaugural IFWTWA John Crook award for Excellence in Broadcasting has been announced by the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) as Melbourne journalist, Kirstie Bedford.

Making the announcement on IFWTWA's Travel Writers Radio program, Graeme Kemlo, chair of IFWTWA Australasia, said Kirstie's broadcasts were selected from a group of four finalists and a broader range of member submissions of up to three broadcast pieces each.

Independent judge, veteran newspaper and broadcast journalist Dermot O'Brien, who was Director of News with Network 10 and also produced Derryn Hinch's current affairs programs for many years, said: “Kirstie submitted two travel broadcasting pieces: Travelling with Kids & Life after the Christchurch Earthquake. Kirstie showed imagination and drew on personal experience in presenting her item on the issues in travelling with children. And she demonstrated her interview skills with her item on life after the Christchurch earthquake,” he said.

Congratulating Kirstie, Graeme Kemlo said that as well as being Editor of Executive PA magazine, a trade publication in the Business Events industry, “Kirstie is our hard working News Editor at Travel Writers Radio and produces a weekly bulletin of food wine and travel news”.

The judge awarded an “honourable mention” to Travel Writers Radio co-host, Peter Watson, for an interview covering the complex issues surrounding the consumers' travel compensation scheme.

Travel Writers Radio is broadcast Wednesdays from 5 pm to 7 pm on J-AIR 87.8 FM in Melbourne and is also heard live on the Internet and via smartphone apps. Edited podcasts are available on demand at https://soundcloud.com/travelwritersradio. 

Graeme Kemlo, who is also Executive Producer and Host of Travel Writers Radio said one of the aims in establishing the radio show in 2014, apart from informing and entertaining listeners, was to help upskill travel writers who found themselves victims of print media downsizing.  He welcomed interest from journalists wanting to learn about radio and travel broadcasting. He said the awards program for 2016 was being expanded.

Issued by Graeme Kemlo on behalf of IFWTWA Australasia and Travel Writers Radio graeme@travelwritersradio.com