Queensland's richest journalism award entries open

Published on 04 September 2025

Entries have opened for Queensland’s richest reporting prize, the Bean Lockyer Ticehurst Award for Excellence in Regional Journalism.

The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) launched the annual $15,000 prize in honour of ABC cameraman John Bean, journalist Paul Lockyer and helicopter pilot Gary Ticehurst, who tragically died in a helicopter crash while on assignment in 2011.

The award aims to recognise and encourage the work of journalists including reporters, photographers, producers and camera operators, with the first prize to worth $10,000, second place $3000 and third place $2000.

LGAQ Chief Executive Officer Alison Smith said John Bean, Paul Lockyer and Gary Ticehurst were a pioneering storytelling team with the ABC, recognised and respected throughout the regional communities.

“This annual award commemorates the work of John, Paul and Gary to encourage journalists to adopt the doggedness and professionalism for which they were widely known and respected,” Ms Smith said

“They provided an example of the sort of journalism that ensures regional Queensland communities are given a voice, locally and in the offices of decision-makers in the city.”

The award is open to print, television/video, online and radio, with judging criteria including newsworthiness, incisiveness, public benefit and impact on the understanding of the issues and challenges facing regional Queensland.

The winner will be announced at the 129th LGAQ Annual Conference on the Gold Coast in October.

For entry, terms and conditions, visit the award information page here.

Entries close Friday 3 October 2025.

For more information, please contact Dan Knowles, LGAQ Media Advisor.