Walkley awards: Canberra Times staff named among finalists

Canberra Times photographer Dion Georgopoulos and former education reporter Sherryn Groch have been announced as finalists in the prestigious Walkley mid-year awards.

The mid-year awards recognise outstanding work by the nation's leading young journalists under the age of 28, and cover the best work across print, digital and broadcast media.

Georgopoulos has been nominated in the visual storytelling category for his compelling photographs documenting the devastation of the summer bushfire season.

Along with his photographic colleagues he spent months working with reporters covering the early outbreaks in areas close to Canberra and the NSW South Coast, as well as the eventual arrival of the disaster in the ACT.

Groch's series of reports into allegations of bullying and intimidation at a Canberra school was nominated in the coverage of community and regional affairs. She spent months gaining the trust of families and developing sources within the school to paint a picture of deep dysfunction at one of the city's fastest-growing private colleges.

Deputy editor Scott Hannaford said the nominations were fitting recognition of exceptional journalism.

"Both Dion and Sherryn showed tremendous courage, compassion and humanity in their reporting and neither of them flinched when the going got tough. We are all extremely proud of their high-quality work," Hannaford said.

The winners will be announced on June 17.