Pilbara election night picture a winner

Pilbara News journalist Tom Zaunmayr has been named winner of the Rural Media Association of WA’s best photograph award.

The 26-year-old journalist was recognised at the awards, announced last Friday, for a timely election night shot of former WA Nationals leader and Pilbara MLA Brendon Grylls speaking in front of a graphic showing he was trailing Labor candidate Kevin Michel.

Mr Zaunmayr, who has worked at the Pilbara News for four years, said it was humbling to have his work acknowledged by the profession. He said the photo resonated because it captured the turning point in Mr Gryll’s election fortunes after a confident start.

“The moment he found out that probably wasn’t going to happen was a big shock for everyone, not the least himself,” he said. “(The photo) was just the luck of the moment.”

“He got up and started speaking and that graphic happened to come up at that moment, and I saw the opportunity and took it.”

RMA WA Awards judge and senior journalism lecturer Dr Kayt Davies said the judging panel had been impressed by this year’s standard and scope of entries, which numbered more than 50.