2005 PTC Media Awards
The Professional Teachers’ Council Media Awards are presented to a person or persons working in the media industry for their positive portrayal of the work of teachers and schools and their recognition of the value to the community of teaching as a profession.
The 2005 Awards were presented at the PTC Annual Presentation Evening on December 6. Awards were presented by Hon. Carmel Tebbutt, Minister for Education and Training.
PTC Major Media Award 2005
Cameron Tomarchio, Liverpool Leader
Ms Maruschka Loupis, South Western Sydney Region, Department of Education and Training nominated Cameron for the Major Media Award.
Maruschka wrote the following to support her nomination of Cameron:
As Regional Schools Promotions Officer my role is to assist the 273 public schools in the South Western Sydney Region with all aspects of public relations, including how each school relates to its community. An important aspect of this is to help schools maximise their positive media exposure because this is a powerful method for communicating achievements.
This is especially important because of commonly held negative perceptions about children and young people in south western Sydney. In addition, public schools in this region do not have the financial resources to advertise or produce glossy brochures to promote their successes.
It is fortunate that positive stories about schools in the local paper have been much more effective in promoting public education than most other marketing tools. The efforts of Cameron Tomarchio, since his arrival at The Liverpool Leader this year has contributed significantly to the positive press about public schools.
He has championed school-based events with the same enthusiasm as major regional events. He personally attends many events and functions, always accompanied by a photographer. When not able to attend an event he ensures that a story based on copy and photographs submitted by either myself or the school involved is published in the paper.
There is never any inference that placing paid advertisements in the paper would generate more or better press for individual schools or the regional office. Cameron does not indulge in ambush journalism. He covers negative education issues in a fair and dispassionate manner.
I firmly believe that Cameron is a great partner in promoting a positive view of public education and the teaching profession and I am pleased to nominate him for the Major Media Award because he is a worthy recipient.
PTC Regional Media Award 2005
Claire Lupton, Bega District News
Ms Jillian Tourlas, Principal Bega High School nominated Claire for the Regional Media Award.
To support Claire’s nomination, Jillian wrote:
Mrs Claire Lupton is a staunch supporter of Public Education. This is echoed through the articles she writes for The Bega District News. Her articles published bi-weekly promote the achievements of Bega High School by reporting the diversity of activities undertaken by the students and staff of the school.
Claire is a life member and patron of the Bega High School Parents and Citizens’ Association. She makes it her business to know what is happening at the school by attending every major and minor event to report on the proceedings. As well she knows when new teachers are appointed to the staff and publishes articles about them before they have set foot in the Valley.
She knows the students at the school personally. For example every year she contacts the Year 12 students to interview them about their achievements.
Claire Lupton is a true advocate of the students and teachers of Bega High School. Her positive portrayal of the teachers and students as a whole and her recognition of the work of teachers makes her an exemplary candidate for the Regional Media Award.
The Hon. Carmel Tebbutt, Minister for Education and Training addressing the 2005 PTC Annual Presentation Evening.