Schafter wins Walkley

Schafter wins Walkley

Hungry Beast reporter and Star Observer columnist Monique Schafter has taken out the Walkley for Best Current Affairs TV Reporting (less than 20 minutes) for her work with ABC’s Hungry Beast.

The nominated report, produced and directed by Schafter and Aaron Smith for the ABC TV program, chronicled the story of Maree Bourke-Calliss, who suffered a massive stroke from a knock received during a netball game.

Bourke-Calliss is unable to move or speak and can only communicate by blinking.

For the interview, the Hungry Beast team sent her questions in advance and it took her nearly a week to blink out the answers.

Her responses were read out by her sister Berni.

“I’m totally spun out by the win,” Schafter said.

“To be nominated alongside Sunday Night and Dateline was mind blowing enough, but this is just surreal.”

Schafter said she felt particularly happy for Maree and Pete – the couple who feature in the story.

“They’re two of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met. Maree is going to have a champers for us.”

In addition to last night’s win, Hungry Beast received two Walkley nominations, an AFI nomination and were a finalist in the 2011 Human Rights Awards during their three seasons.

The third season looks to be its last however, with ABC managing director Mark Scott last night implying it was unlikely to be renewed for another.

“He was a big fan and congratulated us on three excellent series, but he also said it was a very expensive show to produce and that the we should look at opportunities at News 24 where there’s room for satire and current affairs reporting,” Schafter said.

“So in other words he said no, but in a nice way. It’s sad that this is probably the end if Hungry Beast, but what a way to go out.”

The Walkley winners were announced at a gala presentation in Brisbane last night.

There were approximately 1300 entries in this year’s awards.

Watch the winning report below:

You May Also Like

Comments are closed.