The dogged pursuit of a mysterious businessman, agenda-setting investigations and stunning photographs are among the work Seven West Media journalists and photographers have been recognised for after a wave of nominations in the 2026 WA Media Awards.

Journalists, photographers and television stars have been recognised across 17 categories in the lead-up to the 30th rendition of the annual Statewide awards, with reporters Jessica Page and Matt McKenzie up for multiple gongs.

McKenzie is in the running for the top award, the The Arthur Lovekin prize for excellence in journalism and is also a finalist in the business economics or finance report category for his coverage of Perth’s most mysterious businessman, Victor Goh, who spearheaded more than $1 billion of investment into the city skyline despite rarely being seen publicly.

McKenzie is also nominated alongside The West’s head of digital production Natalie Bonjolo, camera operator Joseph Ahern and video editor Christoph Noehring in the multimedia news category for their exclusive coverage of the Malaysian businessman.

The West Australian State Political Editor Jessica Page has been named a finalist in the categories of news and political reports for her coverage on an extraordinary backflip by WA Premier Roger Cook — repurposing $1.5 billion to revamp the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and using it to help fix decaying hospitals.

Page, a regular columnist with The West Australian, is also a finalist for The Matt Price Prize as WA’s best column writer.

The Sunday Times Political Editor Joe Spagnolo has been named a finalist in the news report category for his reporting of Fremantle MP Josh Wilson’s five-match amateur soccer ban after the politician punched an opponent in the face.

Crime reporter Caleb Runciman is a finalist in the health category for his exclusive series about a young mother who was turned away from a public hospital before she was forced to give birth on the side of the Kwinana Freeway.

Sports reporter Mitchell Woodcock is a finalist in the sports report category for his exclusive tell-all interview with former West Coast assistant Jarrad Schofield about the Eagles’ struggles and his time as interim coach.

He is joined as a finalist by 7NEWS sports presenter Ryan Daniels for his exclusive interview story with footballer Paul Curtis about his horrific off-season ordeal of falling ill, requiring a medi-vac flight escape from Bali and emergency surgery in Perth.

7NEWS also has two of the three finalists for best television news reporting - Jerrie Demasi for a powerful story about a domestic violence survivor and for their coverage of Cyclone Narelle, spearheaded by Lucy Murray and Glenn Clarke.

Multi-award winning 7NEWS cameraman Simon Hydzik is again a finalist in the television camerawork category, while 7NEWS reporter Brandon Demura is among finalists for best regional and community coverage.

Seven West Media photographers, for another year-running, received multiple nominations for excellence - including a clean sweep of the feature photography category.

Andrew Ritchie has been recognised in the news photograph and community/regional photography categories for his work, including a photograph of 13-year-old hero Austin Appelbee.

Stuart Quinn is one of three finalists in the feature photograph category for his amazing hot weather photo of Cottesloe SLSC member Helen Franks cooling off with young nipper, Stevie.

Ian Munro has been recognised in the same category for his “behind the curtain” work capturing WA ballet dancers, as has Michael Wilson has for his coverage of a dramatic Invasion Day rally at Forrest Place, which became the site of an alleged attempted terrorist attack, prompting police to evacuate attendees.

Sandra Jackson is a finalist in the news photography category for capturing the moment a missing 11-year-old boy living with autism was located safe and well after spending the night outdoors.

Former South West Editor Craig Duncan has also been nominated in the community/regional photographer category.

David Friedlos and Michael Palmer have swept the floor in the best headline category with a single-joint entry and two individual entries, which rounded out the shortlist of finalists. Palmer is also a finalist in the suburban news category.

The Sunday Times’ former investigative journalist John Flint has also been recognised in the health category for his reporting on a decades-old legal loophole, which saw dentists put their patients to sleep in clinics that were not licensed for sedation.

Winners will be announced on November 7.

FULL LIST OF SEVEN WEST MEDIA FINALISTS

See the full list of finalists here.