The Herald collected five prizes at the awards ceremony held at Customs House Hotel on Saturday night.

NBN Television's Paul Lobb was named journalist of the year for his report on the grounding of the Pasha Bulker on Nobbys Beach. He also won best television journalist and best TV news report.

The Herald's Greg Wendt won best print news report for his account of the grounding. The Central Coast Sun Weekly's Phil Hearne was named best photographer and won best news photograph for his pictures of flooding over the June long weekend.

Best radio journalist, the radio news report award and the all media best use of the medium title went to the 1233 ABC Newcastle news team for its coverage of the devastating storm.

The Herald's other winners were: reporter Ben Smee, who won the all media speciality journalism award for his series on violence in Newcastle; photographers Darren Pateman, for best sport photography for "Jets road to glory", and Natalie Grono, best feature photography for "Byron Blues"; and graphic designer Grant Sproule was named all media best editorial artist or cartoonist for his digital illustration "Inside sport".

The most outstanding contribution to journalism award went to Namoi Valley Independent's Ron McLean. The Northern Star's Samantha Turnbull was presented with the Tom Barrass award for regional journalism.

The awards, known as the Prodis, recognise media excellence in Northern NSW.