Once again, a strong field of entries reflects the vigour and bold health of Country Press SA. It also speaks to the dilemma facing editors and subs (as well as judges) as the complex requirements of the multi-platform environment need to be met. That is, after all, the world our readers inhabit.

The dilemma is this: the increasing number of editors writing headlines for “digital first” must capture the attention of the mobile scroller, which is leading to quite lengthy headlines telling the gist of a story. It’s back to the future, in a sense - reminding us of the three-deck headlines that graced many of our former broadsheets, in the first half of the last century.

But the fast-moving scroller has no time for obscurity or subtlety, so mobile headlines are largely without irony, allusions or indeed much humour. So, in mobile format, what becomes of marvellous creations like The Bunyip’s Colonel Mustard in the Barossa with the Guitar – a delightful nod to the popular murder-mystery board game, Cluedo?

The Plains Producer’s The rain for the grain falls mainly on the plainlands on the middle ground for mobile, suggesting our coming challenge is to explore ways to adapt the wit and sparkle of clever headlines to the mobile screen while telling more of the story.

However, this remains essentially a print competition, and my choices reflect the headlines – or headline-and-pic combinations – that compelled me most to read on. They are subjective, as usual, and I do hope those present at the awards were able to peruse the many fine entries.

Winner

Bar Battle Brews – The Whyalla News

The alliteration and double meaning adds power to a concise but descriptive headline over a story about a local wine-bar start-up which, having gained approval from the council and the Liquor Commission, suddenly faced a court battle with a major hotel chain appealing the decision.

Second

Vicious Cycle – The Plains Producer

A story about the frustrations, obstacles and waiting times for reproductive health procedures yielded this excellent headline with its serious tone and allusion to the menstrual cycle reflecting the painful experience of a Bowmans local.

Third

Dust+Salt = Lights Out – Yorke Peninsula Country Times

When the Yorke Peninsular endured a 20-hour blackout – without power, phones and internet during a severe hot spell – the paper responded with detailed coverage and a sombre front-page pic and headline encapsulating the miserable event. Dust and salt deposits on insulators at a substation caused the fault, with serious consequences.

Special mentions

A number of other fine entries made the selection difficult, as usual: aside from the gems from The Bunyip and The Plains Producer mentioned in my introduction, sharp headlines like The Southern Argus’s Best of Cluck(like the winning entry, flagging a David-and-Goliath yarn) and the Victor Harbour Times’  Safety Cheque were well in the ruck.

And I loved two stunning sports-page leads, with powerful headlines alongside riveting  photos: Centralian Today’s Falcoln Hell, and the Fleurieu Sun’s Clash of The Chitons. Don’t miss these!

Ross McPherson