The media ministries of a number of religious institutes were recognised for their excellence at the recently held 2025 Australasian Catholic Press Association (ACPA) Annual Awards Dinner, at which De La Salle Brothers’ Provincial, Br Peter Bray was guest speaker.

Among the award winners were the Redemptorists’ Common Home TV, Madonna Magazine, Eureka Street, and Australian Catholics from Jesuit Communications, and In the Word by the Divine Word Missionaries.

*ACPA delegates with Archbishop Christopher Prowse at the conference Mass at St Christopher’s Cathedral, Canberra. PHOTO: ACPA.*

ACPA delegates also elected Majellan Media Editor David Ahearn as president during the three day conference in Canberra. Majellan Media is a ministry of the Redemptorists.

Meanwhile, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference daily e-newsletter CathNews has received the top award at ACPA Awards Night, taking out the Bishop Philip Kennedy Award for Overall Excellence.

More than 50 Catholic media and communications professionals gathered for the annual awards night, recognising excellence in Catholic media across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Delegates had gathered for the two days prior for their annual conference, focused on the theme, Messengers of Hope: Communicating the truth, goodness and beauty of our faith.

De La Salle Brothers Provincial Br Peter Bray featured as guest speaker for the dinner, highlighting his experience as Vice-Chancellor for the University of Bethlehem.

*Br Peter Bray FSC was the guest speaker at the ACPA dinner, sharing his experience of being CEO of Bethlehem University. PHOTO: ACPA.*

Outgoing ACPA President Jamie O’Brien said in an age marked by noise, misinformation, and division, hope is not a luxury—it is a necessity.

“As Catholic communicators, our task is not only to report facts, but to interpret the world through the lens of the Gospel and CathNews sets a positive example of how this important task can be carried out,” Mr O’Brien said.

“I congratulate all the winners and runners-up and thank all ACPA members who came together for this special occasion, to learn and grow with each other in faith.”

A new ACPA Executive was elected at the conference, with Majellan Media Editor David Ahern taking on the role as President, and Jamie O’Brien stepping into the role of Vice-President (Australia), while Melbourne Archdiocese, Manager, Communications Tiffany Davis was elected as Secretary. Tony Biviano will continue as Treasurer and Annette Scullion as Vice-President (New Zealand).

This article was drawn from information in an ACPA media release. Click here to see the full list of award winners and categories.