The Register was repeatedly commended for its coverage of local events, starting with the award for journalism.

“The Register is good at breaking news, and campaigns vigorously on local issues of importance, including a stoush with the former local council which led to bans and a loss of revenue,” said judge Dan Austin OAM.

In the award for editorial leadership and community involvement judge David Sommerlad noted the Register “did not take sides” in the bitter struggle between opposing factions at last year’s Shoalhaven City Council election, but helped “awaken the voting community from apathy to action”.

The Register was highly commended in this category, with praise continuing in local news reporting as judge Mal Kearney spoke glowingly about the Register’s coverage of the Beechwood collapse and its impact on the local community, and a family’s rescue from a burning home.

Mr Kearney was particularly impressed by the way the issues had been personalised by speaking to the people directly affected by both issues.

Register senior journalist Glenn Ellard was runner-up in the feature writing category – the third time he had received the accolade along with a win in recent years.

Judge Graham Gorrel said the article on a suspension unit operating on the Nowra Public School grounds “revealed the very best ingredients of feature writing – quality journalism, in-depth analysis and a clear message for readers.”

The Register’s new Nowra CBD magazine was highly commended in the special publications category, with Judge Lisa Hudson commenting on the “striking, contemporary design – probably the best among the entrants – and a similarly high standard of photography”.

Ms Hudson described the magazine as, “A great lifestyle publication featuring clever ideas to bring local shops and people into the content mix with a welcome sense of fun.”

The Register received two awards in the award for locally-produced advertising for Shoalhaven Brick and Tile and Ison Hardware, scoring a special mention and runner-up.

The Register was also runner-up in the commercial supplement section, with Shoalhaven Amazing Homes described as “outstanding” by judge Jeremy Hutton.

“High gloss stock cover combined with great colour reproduction make this a very appealing supplement for new home buyers,” Mr Hutton said.