Cartoonist Megan Herbert clinched the inaugural climate award at the Australian Cartoonists Association Stanley Awards.
Among the top 20 climate-themed cartoons of the year handpicked by the Australian Cartoonists Association, Megan Herbert’s work stood out. It was subsequently chosen as one of the six finalists in the climate award category.
Megan Herbert is a cartoonist for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. Her profile on the website formerly known as Twitter is @meganjherbert and here is The Megan Herbert Shop on shopify.
Amanda McKenzie, CEO of the Climate Council, commented:
“Megan Herbert’s cartoon is a standout amid powerful depictions of the climate crisis. It shows the domino effect of coal mine approvals on our lives and paints a clear and confronting picture for Australians”.
“More than that, Megan’s cartoon compels the public to do everything within their power to stop these polluting projects from going ahead – or risk losing so many of the systems we rely on.”
“I want to thank all of the cartoonists who champion climate action through their work. Your courage and creativity will continue to shape the climate conversation.”
Amanda McKenzie, CEO of the Climate Council
Walkleys boycott by cartoonists
This new category, the Climate Award, was supported by the Climate Council, and emerged in response to cartoonists’ boycott of the Walkley Awards in August.
Prominent cartoonists withdrew their participation due to Walkley’s association with the fossil fuel company Ampol. After a period of absence, the company recently resumed its sponsorship of the Walkley Awards.
“The Walkley’s boycott showed that Australian cartoonists care deeply about the climate crisis. We saw this reflected powerfully across the climate award category.”
Amanda McKenzie, CEO of the Climate Council
The Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism, considered Australia’s most esteemed journalism awards, were instituted in 1956 by Sir William Gaston Walkley, the founder of Ampol Petroleum.
Ampol’s core operations are inherently tied to the ‘age of global warming’ due to its involvement in fossil fuel extraction, which plays a role in human-induced climate change.
After voting in the Climate Award People’s Choice, people were invited to sign this open letter in solidarity with the cartoonists:
“I support the brave cartoonists boycotting the Walkley Awards.
I agree with their calls to the Walkley Foundation to sever its ties to fossil fuel sponsorship, and to refuse any future sponsorship opportunities with fossil fuel partners.
I also support calls for the Walkley Awards to have a standalone climate reporting category.
Australia’s most prestigious journalism prize, the Walkley Awards, was founded by fuel supplier Ampol, and continues to accept donations from Ampol, which was listed as a Platinum partner last year.
The Walkley Foundation has also declined to introduce a standalone climate reporting category in its annual Walkley Awards.
In a time of climate crisis, we can no longer accept the continued expansion of fossil fuel resources, enabled by governments, and sanctioned in marketing and sponsorship
The inaugural Climate Cartoon People’s Choice Award was won by Cathy Wilcox
Correction
On announcing the People’s Choice Award to Cathy Wilcox on the website formerly known as Twitter, she kindly drew our attention to an error. Megan’s award is the “Climate Council Cartoon Award”, bestowed at the Stanley Awards, but it isn’t a Stanley Award. At least not yet, as the Australian Cartoonists Association haven’t taken those steps to make the climate award a Stanley. Oops, our apology to all concerned.
@1EarthMedia just a note, that Megan’s award was called the Climate Council Cartoon Award – bestowed at the Stanley’s but not a Stanley award, at least at this stage. (Would take meetings, votes, rule changes etc)
— The Cathy Wilcox (@cathywilcox1) November 1, 2023
Cheers.
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