Last night, saw the Seventh Annual Sun Microsystems IT Journalism Awards - affectionately known as 'The Lizzies' - take place in Star City Casino's Grand Ballroom. The bow tie was fastened, the silk lapels brushed and the cufflinks gleaming as I prepared to discover whether I would be successful in my nominated category as Best New Journalist.
I had spent the day hoping that my category would not be first, as I really wanted to see how other winners dealt with their speeches. How long would be too long? Should I try to be funny or just grateful? But no, as soon as I had taken my seat and started up conversation with the other guests on my table, the first award was read out and it was mine.
There was definitely a sense of disbelief as I made my way to the stage. It has been an amazing two years to take me from an office manager in the employment sector to an awarded journalist about to give his first speech on a stage in front of the big names of Aussie tech writing.
I thanked Giles Donovan of Netregistry, for taking a punt in employing an unknown writer in the first place, Shane, Josh and Stuart of Nett Magazine for encouraging and supporting my material in their pages and Shelley, my beautiful wife, for sharing my affections with the computer in the corner.
Shelley was so busy being excited and cheering that she forgot completely to take photos or use the Flip video camera to record the landmark moment, but I'll forgive her.
So, now I'm an award-winning journalist. Howsabout that! Thankyou to everyone who has followed this blog, read my articles and supported my transition into a full time writing career. This still feels too much like fun for me to receive pay packets and awards for it. I love every day that I'm able to put words onto a page and this award just cements my confidence that I'm doing something right.
