The Catholic Observer has won the Best Front Page – Print award at the 2026 Australasian Catholic Press Association Awards.

The award was announced at the ACPA Conference and Awards Dinner in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Thursday 27 August. It recognises the work involved in sharing the stories of the Diocese through print and digital media. The Christmas Art painting used on the cover was painted by Zeke, who was a student at St Michael’s Catholic Primary School, Dunedoo.

The Bishop Philip Kennedy Memorial Award for Overall Excellence went to Broken Bay News. Brisbane’s The Catholic Leader won Best News Content, Best Feature Content and Best Headline, while Melbourne Catholic received awards for Best Original Photograph and Best Use of Digital Media.

Other winners included Tui Motu InterIslands, Kete Kōrero, Common Home TV, Horizons and Catholic Life. Awards were also presented to Catholic Outlook, The Southern Cross, Eureka Street, The Catholic Weekly, The Record Magazine and Australian Jesuits.

The award recognises the Catholic Observer and the Diocese of Bathurst at an Australasian level.

Further details are available from the ACPA Awards page.