The Vancouver Courier is a finalist in eight categories in the 2017 Ma Murray Awards newspaper competition.
The awards, put on by the B.C. and Yukon Newspaper Association, celebrate newspaper excellence, advertising, photography and writing. Winners will be announced at a gala at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond on April 29.
Courier nominations include:
— Newspaper excellence
— Ad Design Award, collaborative: Marina Rockey and Justin Chen for Tourism Hong Kong.
— Feature Photo Award, colour: photographer Dan Toulgoet for his photo of Syrian refugee children looking through a window at 2400 Court Motel on Kingsway. It appeared with a Mike Howell story, which looked at how the hotel became a temporary home for Syrian refugees.
— Portrait/Personality Photo Award: photographer Dan Toulgoet for is portrait of Joe Fossella. The photo appeared in reporter Mike Howell's feature story on First Nations elders, which was part of his Truth & Transformation series looking at Vancouver through an aboriginal lens. Fossella, 68, has spent more than 20 years counselling and teaching men how to manage anger and violence and embrace peace, culture and spirituality. He's a member of the Sechelt First Nation and longtime Vancouverite.
— Columnist Award: Allen Garr for his piece, "Airbnb a threat to affordable housing," and "Fentanyl is a serial killer."
— Sports Photo Award: photographer Dan Toulgoet for his shot of a high school track and field race.
— Environmental Writing Award: freelance writer Christopher Cheung for his feature story, "Home grown" about East Vancouver urban farmers.
— Outdoor Recreation Writing Award: Courier writer John Kurucz for his story, "Disc golf world championship soars in Vancouver."
