Archives: Media Releases

Widely-respected and award-winning journalist Sam McClure is set to return to The Age as senior sports affairs reporter, working across AFL and breaking news on major sporting events and institutions.

McClure, who as the journalist behind The Age’s Scoop column has proved to be one of the best news breakers in sport journalism, will begin his new role from January to coincide with the Australian Open. 

McClure first joined The Age in 2016 and resigned from a full time role in 2022. His return to the masthead as senior sports affairs journalist, will see McClure cover the big stories in AFL and explore the stories and the people behind major sporting events, including the Australian Open tennis and the Formula 1 Grand Prix, and their part in Australia’s sporting landscape. 

“It’s truly an honour to come back to The Age and work alongside Australia’s best journalists,” said McClure. “The Age holds a particularly special place in my heart given my father’s Geoff history with the masthead. To be able to follow in his footsteps means more to me than I’m able to put into words. I’m looking forward to getting my teeth stuck in and what better way to start than with the Australian Open.”  

The role will allow McClure to continue working across a wide range of media assets, amplifying his work and reaching a diverse audience. 

Patrick Elligett, editor of The Age said: “I am thrilled to welcome Sam McClure back to The Age on a full-time basis. Sam is undoubtedly one of the best newsbreakers in sports journalism, which he has shown consistently in recent months through his Scoop column.” 

For further information, please contact:
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing 
amotte@nine.com.au

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

The ultimate prize in Aussie Golf is up for grabs this weekend when the ISPS HANDA Australian Open Championship is live and free from Thursday to Sunday on the 9Network and 9Now. 

Competing across Men’s, Women’s and All Abilities, our nations best golf products will take on Melbourne’s Kingston Heath and The Victoria Golf Club across four days of top flight action for $3.4 million in prize money.

After taking out the PGA Championship last weekend, emerging hot shot Elvis Smylie will see if he can topple our biggest names in consecutive weeks including Cameron Smith, Jason Day, Min Woo Lee, Marc Leishman, and Lucas Herbert.

While Australia’s highest ranked women’s golfer in the world, Hannah Green, will headline the women’s line up after catapulting herself into the top 10 following two wins on the Ladies PGA tour this year. Green is joined in the lineup by Aussies Minjee Lee and Grace Kim.

Viewers can stream every round anywhere, anytime for free on 9Now. The opening round is available on 9GemHD on Thursday, before switching to Channel 9HD from Friday through to Sunday afternoon.

ISPS Handa Australian Open 
November 28 – December 1

Follow @WWOS on Instagram
LIKE Wide World of Sports on Facebook
#9WWOS

For further information, please contact:
Ryley McKay
Senior Publicist & Digital Manager – Sport
ryley.mckay@nine.com.au

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Acclaimed Australian journalist Ray Martin, celebrated for over five decades of award-winning storytelling, takes centre stage in the powerful new television special Tsunami: 20 Years On, airing at 7.00pm Sunday, December 8 on Channel 9 and 9Now.

Two decades later, Martin along with other remarkable Australians, embarks on an emotional journey back to the epicentre of unimaginable tragedy, uncovering incredible stories of hope and optimism in a must-watch celebration of the power of the human spirit.

The Boxing Day Tsunami that claimed over 230,000 lives across 14 countries and two continents, left 1.7 million people displaced. This special presentation explores the disaster’s aftermath, honouring heartwarming stories of resilience and compassion. 

Ray Martin was on the ground in Banda Aceh, Indonesia just days after the wave devastated the city, delivering the harrowing stories to our TV screens that brought the scale of the tragedy into Australian homes. 20 years later, Ray returns to a city rebuilt, reconnecting with survivors he met during those dark days and in the process makes an incredibly moving discovery that brings him to tears.

Among the other remarkable narratives are those of Alison Thompson, the Australian humanitarian who dedicated a year to rebuilding a tsunami-devastated community in Sri Lanka and returns for the first time to witness how the lives she touched and the community she helped have transformed over the years. We also hear from Dr. Alyssa Scurrah, whose near-miss survival inspired her to embark on an aid journey to some of Indonesia’s  most remote and devastated islands.

Australia’s response was unprecedented and deeply unifying, marked by the nation’s largest-ever peacetime operation and over $120 million in donations from everyday Australians. World Vision CEO Daniel Wordsworth reflects on this extraordinary generosity and highlights his organisation’s pivotal role in delivering aid to over one million people within 90 days, helping communities across Southeast Asia rebuild their lives.

Survivors Joe Giardina, Rebekah Giles and Les and Dianne Boardman share their incredible tales of loss and resilience, providing firsthand insights into how the tsunami forever changed their lives.

Former Prime Minister Hon. John Howard recounts Australia’s historic government response, including a record $1 billion in aid, while Melissa Doyle, Adam Gilchrist, Eddie McGuire and Jackson Warne highlight the iconic Reach Out To Asia Telethon and Tsunami Relief Cricket Match that raised over $100 million.

Brig. Georgeina Whelan, Prof. Peter Ellis and Peter Baines share powerful stories of the Australian Defence Force and forensic teams, whose critical work helped heal communities and identify victims.

Tsunami: 20 Years On is a compelling tribute to the victims, survivors, and unsung heroes of one of the world’s deadliest natural disasters. It is a reflection on how tragedy can unite us and inspire collective action, with Australian stories that continue to shape lives two decades later.

Tsunami: 20 Years On is Directed and Executive Produced by Michael Venables ADG & Graham Watson with JAM TV for The Nine Network. 

ABOUT JAM TV
JAM TV is one of Australia’s largest independent production companies, renowned for creating compelling and innovative content that captivates audiences worldwide. With a strong track record across diverse genres, including documentaries, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle programming, JAM TV prides itself on exceptional storytelling and high production. 

For further information, please contact:
Terry Stuart
Senior Communications Manager
tstuart@nine.com.au

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

The 9Network are excited to announce the launch of the six exclusive BBC FAST channels, set to premiere on Tuesday, November 26 on 9Now, bringing an extensive selection of some of the UK’s most iconic and globally beloved content directly to Australian audiences, for free, on 9Now. 

Starting from November 26, viewers can immerse themselves in a wide range of genres, from factual, lifestyle, comedy and much more with BBC Comedy, BBC Food, BBC Home & Garden, BBC Earth, Top Gear and Antiques Roadshow. 

The launch marks an exciting partnership with BBC Studios, reinforcing its commitment to delivering premium UK content to Australian audiences. For the 9Network, the addition of these FAST channels to 9Now further strengthens our commitment as a leading destination to deliver quality, on-demand entertainment. 

The channels include: 

• BBC Comedy – From talk shows, to uproarious sketch shows and timeless sitcoms, serving laughter from every era of British comedy including Bottom, Famalam, Uncle, Moone Boy, Are You Being Served, Allo Allo, plus many more. 
• BBC Food – Step into the kitchen with some of the finest chefs in the British Isles, including Jamie Oliver, Nigel Slater, Rachel Allen, Hairy Bikers, Rachel Khoo, and more. Where culinary creativity meets tradition, something wonderful is always cooking. 
• BBC Home & Garden – Bringing you stunning and unique British home remodelling and garden renovations, all day, every day, inspiring you to transform your living space into a dream haven.
• BBC Earth – This pop-up natural history channel brings you heart-pounding action, mind-blowing sights and the wonder of this amazing planet we call home. Journey from the ocean’s depths to the world’s tallest peaks and explore the incredible creatures that shape our world. Some of the titles featured include Natural World, The Life of Mammals, Wild Africa, Wildlife on One, and more. 
• Top Gear – Fuel your passion with Top Gear UK and other motoring-related shows. From sliding around racetracks in shiny supercars, diving into epic challenges, to buying an old banger for an ill-fated road trip with your mates, experience and celebrate everything that’s brilliant about cars. 
• Antiques Roadshow – Discover hidden treasures and priceless stories, visiting Britain’s most sumptuous and unusual locations and discovering riches and remarkable stories in back-to-back episodes of Antiques Roadshow, as experts unveil the rich history behind cherished items.

All six BBC FAST channels will be available on 9Now from Tuesday, November 26. 

For further information, please contact:
Alessandra Muratore
9Network Publicity
alessandra.muratore@nine.com.au

Monday, November 25, 2024

The Australian Financial Review is the country’s most read premium business masthead recording a cross platform readership of 3.45 million people, according to Total News Publishing readership figures released by Roy Morgan today.

On an annual basis, the Financial Review recorded 1% growth, narrowing the gap with its direct competitor The Australian.

Highlighting the strength of the Financial Review’s digital subscription offering, 79% of AFR readers engage with the masthead’s online publication, which has once again grown since last quarter – the fifth consecutive quarter of online growth. 

The strength of the Financial Review’s journalism was on display during last week’s Walkley Awards. The masthead was part of the investigative journalism team that won Australia’s most prestigious journalism award, the Gold Walkley, for the Building Bad investigation which exposed the CFMEU’s deep links to organised crime.  

The premium business masthead – which has once again narrowed the gap with its direct competitor The Australian – recorded a print readership of 925,000 during the last four weeks, while the Monday to Friday print edition recorded an average issue readership of 265,000. This was its second highest quarterly result since 2019. 

The Australian Financial Review Magazine continues to dominate Australia’s monthly magazine insert figures, with a print readership of 502,000, up 1% year on year. This compared to its direct competitor Wish that has had a readership drop of -22% year on year. Fin! Magazine has also seen quarterly and annual growth (1% and 7% respectively) and closing in on Wish. 

Editor-in-chief James Chessell said: “These results reflect the high quality and award-winning journalism in The Australian Financial Review. With our focus on growing our subscriber base, our digital strategy continues to gain strength as is evidenced by nearly 80% of our audience engaging with our sites.”

Nine’s Total Publishing assets reach a de-duplicated audience of 15.99 million* Australians across print and digital.

The Total News Publishing readership figures are produced by Roy Morgan for ThinkNewsBrands. 

Source: Roy Morgan Research, All People 14+ for the 12 months ending September 2024. All audience data is based on the last 4 weeks averaged over the 12 months to September 2024. *This figure includes: nine.com.au, SMH Print & Digital, The Age Print & Digital, AFR Print & Digital, Brisbane Times, WA Today, Domain Digital, Good Weekend VIC & NSW, Sunday Life VIC & NSW, Domain NIM VIC & NSW, AFR Magazine, Fin! Print Platforms include: SMH Print, The Age Print, AFR Print, Good Weekend VIC & NSW, Sunday Life VIC & NSW, Domain NIM VIC & NSW, AFR Magazine, Fin!

For further information, please contact:
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing
amotte@nine.com.au

Monday, November 25, 2024

The Age has once again maintained its lead against its main competitor nationally, with a cross-platform readership of 4.55 million, according to Total News Publishing figures released by Roy Morgan today.

The Age has cemented its place as the nation’s second most read cross-platform masthead after The Sydney Morning Herald and is ahead of its main competitor The Herald Sun by 450,000 readers. 

As The Age’s investigative journalism, Olympics and Paralympics coverage, as well as news of an assassination attempt on Donald Trump helped drive the masthead’s subscriber strategy, the latest figures for the 12-month period ending September 2024 show that one in five Australians chose The Age to stay informed.

The Monday to Friday print edition recorded an average issue readership of 244,000, while Saturday’s print edition recorded 387,000 readers. 

Across the The Age and the Herald, the country’s most prestigious food news brand, Good Food, recorded a Total News readership of 1.62 million, with its readership up 76% year on year.  The subscription-based Good Food app was recently launched, and is available as part of Nine’s premium digital packages, and is an interactive digital home for food and drink lovers. 

Traveller also recorded quarterly growth of 15% with 1.47 million readers, while the masthead’s Lifestyle/Culture section is read by 2.35 million Australians. 

Good Weekend recorded an average issue print readership of 684,000, while Sunday Life recorded an average issue print readership of 368,000 – up 3% for the quarter – and Domain recorded readership of 469,000, also up 3% for the quarter. 

“The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age are the two leading mastheads in Australia because our editors and reporters work tirelessly on stories that directly affect the lives of our audience,” said Executive Editor Luke McIlveen.

“Last week’s haul of eleven Walkley Awards recognised the commitment we have to exposing corruption and neglect, from the union movement to the spread of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in the water supply.”

“These are the biggest national stories of the year, but Herald and Age editors Bevan Shields and Patrick Elligett have built our growing subscription business by breaking news that affects their cities – from the housing crisis gripping Sydney and Melbourne to the failures of the justice system in NSW and Victoria.”

Nine’s Total Publishing assets reach a de-duplicated audience of 15.99 million* Australians across print and digital.

The Total News Publishing readership figures are produced by Roy Morgan for ThinkNewsBrands. 

Source: Roy Morgan Research, All People 14+ for the 12 months ending September 2024. All audience data is based on the last 4 weeks averaged over the 12 months to September 2024. *This figure includes: nine.com.au, SMH Print & Digital, The Age Print & Digital, AFR Print & Digital, Brisbane Times, WA Today, Domain Digital, Good Weekend VIC & NSW, Sunday Life VIC & NSW, Domain NIM VIC & NSW, AFR Magazine, Fin! Print Platforms include: SMH Print, The Age Print, AFR Print, Good Weekend VIC & NSW, Sunday Life VIC & NSW, Domain NIM VIC & NSW, AFR Magazine, Fin!

For further information, please contact:
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing
amotte@nine.com.au

Monday, November 25, 2024

The Sydney Morning Herald has once again cemented its position as Australia’s most read cross-platform masthead, with a readership of more than 7 million, according to the Total News Publishing figures released by Roy Morgan today. 

As the Herald’s investigative journalism, Olympics and Paralympics coverage, as well as news of an assassination attempt on Donald Trump helped drive the masthead’s subscriber strategy, the latest figures for the 12-month period ending September 2024 show that one in three Australians chose the Herald to stay informed.

The masthead dominates the cross-platform landscape with 7.05 million readers compared to The Daily Telegraph readership of 4.02 million. 

The Monday to Friday print edition recorded an average issue readership of 386,000, while Saturday’s print edition recorded 472,000 readers. In the last four weeks, 1.42 million people on average have read a print edition of the Herald, while The Sun Herald print edition is read by 382,000 people every Sunday.

Across the Herald and The Age, the country’s most prestigious food news brand, Good Food, recorded a Total News readership of 1.62 million, with its readership up 76% year on year.  The subscription-based Good Food app was recently launched, and is available as part of Nine’s premium digital packages, and is an interactive digital home for food and drink lovers. 

Traveller also recorded quarterly growth of 15% with 1.47 million readers, while the masthead’s Lifestyle/Culture section is read by 2.35 million Australians. 

Good Weekend recorded an average issue print readership of 684,000, while Sunday Life recorded an average issue print readership of 368,000 – up 3% for the quarter – and Domain recorded readership of 469,000, also up 3% for the quarter. 

“The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age are the two leading mastheads in Australia because our editors and reporters work tirelessly on stories that directly affect the lives of our audience,” said Executive Editor Luke McIlveen.

“Last week’s haul of eleven Walkley Awards recognised the commitment we have to exposing corruption and neglect, from the union movement to the spread of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in the water supply.”

“These are the biggest national stories of the year, but Herald and Age editors Bevan Shields and Patrick Elligett have built our growing subscription business by breaking news that affects their cities – from the housing crisis gripping Sydney and Melbourne to the failures of the justice system in NSW and Victoria.”

Nine’s Total Publishing assets reach a de-duplicated audience of 15.99 million* Australians across print and digital.

The Total News Publishing readership figures are produced by Roy Morgan for ThinkNewsBrands. 

Source: Roy Morgan Research, All People 14+ for the 12 months ending September 2024. All audience data is based on the last 4 weeks averaged over the 12 months to September 2024. *This figure includes: nine.com.au, SMH Print & Digital, The Age Print & Digital, AFR Print & Digital, Brisbane Times, WA Today, Domain Digital, Good Weekend VIC & NSW, Sunday Life VIC & NSW, Domain NIM VIC & NSW, AFR Magazine, Fin! Print Platforms include: SMH Print, The Age Print, AFR Print, Good Weekend VIC & NSW, Sunday Life VIC & NSW, Domain NIM VIC & NSW, AFR Magazine, Fin!

For further information, please contact:
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing
amotte@nine.com.au

Monday, November 25, 2024

Get ready to embark on a transformative journey of creativity and resilience when Budget Battlers premieres on Wednesday, December 4, at 8.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now. 

Hosted by former Block favourites, Jess Eva and Norm Hogan, this groundbreaking new series tackles full-blown makeovers with an unprecedented challenge: transforming four different Aussie homes in four weeks on the tightest budget yet seen on Australian television. 

As inflation, soaring living costs and interest rate increases keep the idea of home renovation out of reach for many, Budget Battlers arrives to prove that dreams can still come true – on a budget. 

The Budget Battlers team gears up with just $10,000 per home, a group of selfless volunteers and only five working days, to inspire viewers with jaw-dropping transformations, changing the lives of those who need it the most.  

In the season premiere, Jess and Norm meet Tim, a father of four who is always ready to lend a hand, expecting nothing in return. Despite his selfless nature and long hours on the farm, Tim has neglected the most important thing – his own home. Now is the time for the Budget Battlers team to step in.  

As the series unfolds, viewers will meet Sandra, a resilient single mother of three. In February, 2024, Sandra’s world was turned upside down when hail lashed the small Gippsland town of Mirboo North, destroying houses and tearing down trees, leaving  a trail of destruction. 

The Budget Battlers team heads to the coastal suburb of Yorkeys Knob, outside Cairns, where Gordon and Tricia lost everything when ex-tropical cyclone Jasper made landfall on December 13, 2023. They get a much-needed helping hand as Jess and Norm take on the monumental challenge of restoring their home for good.  

The season culminates in an emotional finale, where the team rallies around Jack and Shae, who also lost their home in the 2023 cyclone. Among the many challenges the team faces as the days tick down to the final reveal are tight deadlines and the need for last-minute supplies to transform the damaged house into a welcoming family home.  

With a new house to renovate each episode, Budget Battlers highlights the heart and determination of struggling everyday Australians, who deserve a helping hand. At its core is the unshakeable belief that, with tenacious spirit, even the most ambitious  renovation goals can be achieved with a willing attitude – and with a little help.  

Budget Battlers is produced by Northlight Productions and the 9Network. 

BUDGET BATTLERS 
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, AT 8.30PM ON CHANNEL 9 & 9NOW
#Channel9 #BudgetBattlers 

For further information, please contact:
Claudine Blondeau
Communications Manager, Nine Queensland
cblondeau@nine.com.au

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Australia’s finest investigative journalism in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian Financial Review, 60 Minutes and Stan was recognised at the 69th Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism tonight, with Nine collecting an astounding 11 Walkleys – more than any other media organisation. 

Journalists from The Age, the Herald, the Financial Review and 60 Minutes – Nick McKenzie, David Marin-Guzman, Ben Schneiders, Amelia Ballinger, Reid Butler and Garry McNab – won the highest honour in Australian journalism, the Gold Walkley, for revealing the nation’s most powerful union, the CFMEU, had been infiltrated by bikies and organised criminals.

The Building Bad investigation exposed widespread allegations of corruption and intimidation within the CFMEU, resulting in the union being placed under administration by the Fair Work Commission and several high profile union officials being sacked.

The series of stories ran across The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review and 60 Minutes, also collecting a Walkley for Television/Video:Current Affairs Long.

McKenzie was also recognised for an investigation into Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo and his attempt to oust enemies, promote politicians he considered allies and lobby to muzzle the press. Alongside Michael Bachelard and Amelia Ballinger, the investigation by The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes was awarded Scoop of the Year and Television/Video: Current Affairs Short. 

Nine’s proud history of undertaking difficult investigative reporting was highlighted by several investigative stories being awarded Walkleys, including an investigation into the unfolding environmental and health crisis of ‘forever chemicals’ by Carrie Fellner, Matt Davidson, Matthew Absalom-Wong and Michael Evans. 

Fellner – along with Katrina McGowan, Janine Hosking and Mat Cornwell – also took out a second Walkley for the joining documentary ‘How to Poison A Planet’ which screened on Stan.   

Arts writer Linda Morris and investigative reporter Eryk Bagshaw won the specialist/beat reporting category for their work exposing mining billionaire Gina Rinehart’s campaign to have a portrait removed from the National Gallery of Australia, while the mastheads’ Visual Stories team was also recognised with an Explanatory Journalism Walkley for ‘faster, higher, stronger’, an interactive story comparing athletes from 100 years ago to today.

David Leser was awarded Commentary, Analysis, Opinion and Critique for his features about the war in Gaza.

The Walkleys also highlighted Nine’s unparalleled investment in photography and illustration by awarding the Herald’s Cathy Wilcox a Walkley for her ‘Break glass’ Cartoon; while the Herald’s Nick Moir was named the Nikon-Walkley Press Photographer of the Year. 

“This has been an incredible year for the unrivalled journalism at the Herald and The Age. This is deserved recognition for the journalists, editors, photojournalists and artists who serve our readers every day,” said Luke McIlveen, Executive Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times and WAToday. 

Fiona Dear, Nine’s Director of News and Current Affairs, said the Walkley wins for 60 Minutes highlighted how collaboration between Nine’s newsrooms ensures the company’s investigative journalism reaches a diverse and wide audience.      

“The collaboration of Nine’s publishing and broadcast teams is one of the most formidable investigative units in the country and I couldn’t be prouder,” said Dear. “Nick McKenzie is one of Australia’s most powerful investigative journalists. His prosecution of the CFMEU and the impact of that story, has had a profound effect on the construction industry.”  

Full list of Nine winners here:

69th Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism:

GOLD WALKLEY – Nick McKenzie, David Marin-Guzman and Ben Schneiders, Amelia Ballinger, Reid Butler and Garry McNab – The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review and 60 Minutes (Building Bad)

PRINT/TEXT NEWS REPORT – Carrie Fellner, Matt Davidson, Matthew Absalom-Wong and Michael Evans, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, ‘The factory that contaminated the world’ 

ALL MEDIA: COMMENTARY, ANALYSIS, OPINION AND CRITIQUE – David Leser, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, ‘The war in Gaza: Not in my Jewish name’

ALL MEDIA: EXPLANATORY JOURNALISM – Faster, higher, stronger team (The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age) ‘faster, higher, stronger’

ALL MEDIA: CARTOON – Cathy Wilcox, The Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Break glass

ALL MEDIA: SCOOP OF THE YEAR – Nick McKenzie, Michael Bachelard and Amelia Ballinger, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, ‘The Pezzullo files’ 

ALL MEDIA: SPECIALIST AND BEAT REPORTING – Linda Morris and Eryk Bagshaw, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and Brisbane Times, ‘The portrait Gina Rinehart doesn’t want you to see’ 

TELEVISION/VIDEO: CURRENT AFFAIRS SHORT (UNDER 20 MINUTES) – Nick McKenzie, Amelia Ballinger and Michael Bachelard, Nine, 60 Minutes, ‘The Power Player’ 

TELEVISION/VIDEO: CURRENT AFFAIRS LONG (OVER 20 MINUTES) – Building Bad Team – The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review and 60 Minutes ‘Building Bad’

WALKLEY DOCUMENTARY AWARD – Katrina McGowan, Janine Hosking, Mat Cornwell and Carrie Fellner, iKandy Films and Stan, How To Poison A Planet

NIKON-WALKLEY PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR – Nick Moir, The Sydney Morning Herald

For further information, please contact:
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing
amotte@nine.com.au

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

The Age Good Food Guide 2025, featuring the best restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs across Victoria, launches tomorrow after Moonah was named Vittoria Coffee Restaurant of the Year at a chef-studded awards ceremony held at the glamorous Plaza Ballroom tonight.

Moonah restaurant, which is on the Bellarine Peninsula, was awarded the top honour for its hyper-regional menu, with ingredients grown and sourced within a 200-kilometre radius of the restaurant. The award comes as the annual Good Food Guide marks its 44th edition, and as Australia’s most respected food and drinks title ushers in a new era with a new Good Food app. 

The premium subscription-based app – available as part of Nine’s premium digital packages for subscribers of The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, or as a standalone subscription – will house the digital offering of the Good Food Guide. Featuring more than 900 reviews from the Age and SMH guides, the app will be an interactive digital home for food and drink lovers containing recipes, Critics’ Picks and lists of the best restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs.  

The annual Age Good Food Guide has been recognising the best chefs and restaurants since 1980, and this year’s Guide is a compilation of 500 independent reviews visited by our team of critics over the past eight months. Good Food is considered Australia’s most respected food and beverage title, and its coveted hats – from one to the pinnacle of three hats – are recognised as the industry gold standard.

The glamorous awards ceremony – supported by long-term co-presenting partner Vittoria Coffee and co-presenting partner Oceania Cruises – was held at the Plaza Ballroom on Collins Street, known for its Spanish Rococo architecture. Five hundred chefs, restaurateurs and industry legends from Victoria’s dining and drink scenes gathered as 16 awards, along with the hats, were announced. 

Jung Eun Chae from Chae took out the coveted Oceania Cruises Chef of the Year award for his next-level dedication to preparing slow Korean food according to time-honoured methods. 

This year’s Guide includes 142 restaurants awarded one or more hats: four restaurants received three hats, 29 restaurants received two hats and 109 restaurants received one hat. The three-hat winners were Amaru, Brae, Minamishima and Vue de Monde.

With the industry undergoing a reckoning with its record on workplace safety, a new award was introduced this year for Cultural Change Champion. Awarded to Jamie Bucirde of Not So Hospitable and On The Cusp, the inaugural award recognises these advocacy and training groups for addressing workplace sexual harassment.

Legendary Australian chef Greg Malouf was posthumously awarded the Vittoria Coffee Legend Award. The globally-renowned chef, who was a pioneer of modern Middle Eastern cuisine, passed away in September but his influence on chefs, restaurants and home cooks around the world was groundbreaking. 

“It’s been a tough year for many restaurants – and consumers – in the midst of a cost-of-living crunch. But to see our hospitality scene continue to excel and strive for greatness as they adapt to these circumstances is nothing short of inspiring,” said Emma Breheny, The Age Good Food Guide editor. 

“This edition of the Guide is about eating well at more price points, and in more places, than ever before. Among more than 500 reviews covering 60-plus cuisines, there are still big-ticket restaurants where desserts are flambeed tableside and heaving hotspots with lines out the door. But there are also decades-old spots that specialise in one thing to the point of obsession,” said Ellen Fraser, fellow editor of the Guide.

“We’ve also for the first time included a section dedicated to excellent snacks, many costing less than $10,” added Breheny.

Bar Olo in Carlton took out New Restaurant of the Year, presented by Aurum Poultry Co, while Messmates in Warragul was named Regional Restaurant of the Year. 

The Critics’ Pick Of The Year was awarded to Danny’s Kopitiam. The humble Malaysian restaurant in suburban Glen Waverley is a local institution and is run by 78-year-old Danny Ko. 

Saavni Krishnan, who works at Manze in North Melbourne, was awarded Young Chef of the Year, presented by Smeg and Nicole Sharrad was awarded the Katie McCormack Young Service Talent Award.

The Oceania Cruises Service Excellence Award was given to Rajnor Soin from Vue de Monde, while Bar Spontana in Brunswick, was awarded Oceania Cruises Drinks List of the Year.

Cafe of the Year went to Moon Mart in South Melbourne; Apollo Inn took out Best Bar while The Punters Club in Fitzroy was awarded Pub of the Year; Sommelier of the Year was awarded to Tess Murray, Chauncy; and the Food for Good award was handed to Samesyn.

“While the Good Food Guide is the home of the hats, it continues to evolve across various price points, cuisines, styles and suburbs, offering an annual snapshot of the most exciting, outstanding venues you need to know about,” said Sarah Norris, Head of Food for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times and WAToday.

“With money tighter than ever for most diners, people want to know where they should spend their money, and be able to trust those recommendations. The guide, and the new Good Food app, takes the guesswork out of finding the perfect spot for you to eat, no matter what the occasion.”

The Age Good Food Guide 2025 magazine is available from newsagents, supermarkets and thestore.com.au for $19.95 from Tuesday, November 19 and tonight via the Good Food app. The app is available as part of Nine’s premium digital packages for subscribers of The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, or as a standalone subscription. 

The Age Good Food Guide 2025 award winners: 

Restaurant of the Year – Moonah
Chef of the Year – Jung Eun Chae, Chae
New Restaurant of the Year – Bar Olo
Regional Restaurant of the Year – Messmates
Service Excellence Award – Rajnor Soin, Vue de Monde
Smeg Young Chef of the Year – Saavni Krishnan
Katie McCormack Young Service Talent Award – Nicole Sharrad
Sommelier of the Year – Tess Murray, Chauncy
Legend Award – Greg Malouf
Drinks List of the Year – Bar Spontana
Cafe of the Year – Moon Mart
Bar of the Year – Apollo Inn
Pub of the Year – The Punters Club
Critics’ Pick Award – Danny’s Kopitiam
Food for Good Award – Samesyn 
Cultural Change Champion – Jamie Bucirde, Not So Hospitable and On The Cusp

For further information, please contact:
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing
amotte@nine.com.au

Monday, November 18, 2024