Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre will host Australian journalism’s night of nights for the first time in 12 years.
The 2011 Walkley Awards will take place at the Centre on Sunday November 27 as part of a week-long calendar of events scheduled for Brisbane.
Chairman of the Walkley Foundation, esteemed journalist Laurie Oakes, visited Brisbane to make the announcement along with Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh.
Laurie Oakes said that as well as recognising the quality of journalism in Queensland, it was hoped that the event would “shine a light on a community that had been through so much during the year.”
The Awards Presentation which is journalism’s equivalent of the Oscars is set to attract many of Australia’s leading journalists, commentators and opinion-makers.
Organisers say that it would not be unexpected to see a number of the nominations focus on the stories emanating out of Queensland during January’s season of flooding and cyclones.
BCEC General Manager, Bob O’Keeffe said the Centre welcomed the return of Australia’s most prestigious media event. “This is a well deserved boost for Brisbane and a great opportunity to showcase all that Brisbane has to offer as an events destination.”
The Centre which is operated by leading international venue management group, AEG Ogden, first hosted the star studded event in December 1999 and since that time it has rotated between Sydney and Melbourne.
