HALIFAX, May 7, 2019 /CNW/ - Eight Atlantic Canadian journalists and journalism builders will be inducted into the Atlantic Journalism Hall of Fame at the Atlantic Journalism Awards (AJAs) gala reception and awards ceremony at the Halifax Harbourfront Marriott Hotel on Saturday, May 11, 2019.

The inductees are:

Andrew Vaughan, award-winning photographer currently working with the Canadian Press in Halifax. In the past 30 years, he's covered virtually every top news story and sporting event in Atlantic Canada, and many around the world. His images elevate the stories in a way words fall short.

Bill Hunt from Fredericton The Daily Gleaner, an NB staple, has been a reporter for over 30 years – with a focus on sports. In 2018 he spearheaded a grass-roots movement to induct Fredericton's Willie O'Ree, NHL's first black hockey player, into the NHL Hall of Fame. An eclectic, compassionate reporter.

Bill Skerrett, instrumental to the AJAs since 1981, his 50+ year career span includes work as a journalist, academic and full-time independent television director/producer. As Executive Director of the AJAs he's elevated the program to a respected institution rewarding journalistic excellence, supporting students, inducting hall of fame members, and offering professional development.

G.Cecil Day is honoured posthumously. He concluded his illustrious journalism career as owner/publisher and editor of The Advance – the community newspaper in Liverpool, NS. In his early years he worked at the Charlottetown Guardian, The New Glasgow Daily News, The Sydney Post Record and The Pictou Advocate. He received many awards for his work. He truly was a “newspaper man”.

Hubert and Edwina Hutton of St. John's, NL have had a huge influence on business communication in the Atlantic region. 30 years ago they entered the publishing business and are now among the most respected publishers in the region. Their flagship magazine, Atlantic Business Magazine, has grown into the longest publishing and most award-winning regional business magazine in Atlantic Canada.

Michel Doucet is an NB journalist, radio host, and announcer, who has helped shape Acadian Society in his 40+ years as a journalist. La voix de Michel est bein connue aux gens du Nouveau-Brunswick et dans les provinces d'atlantique, autant par la presse écrite, par divers postes de radio, et par son rôle d'animateur à l'émission du matin (Le Réveil) diffuse à partir du Moncton.

Vince Gallant is recognized for his 65 years in the broadcast news business. His career took him from his 1954 start in PEI, to Halifax, Montreal, then as news director at NTV. He's spent the  last 35 years at VOCM Radio in St. John's. If you've lived in NL, you know his voice.

Yvonne Colbert of CBC, NS, has had great success in her 30-year journalism career which started at CFDR in Dartmouth, and continued with ATV. She’s the only broadcast journalist east of Montreal focused solely on consumer issues, and is a popular instructor for journalism students. A highly respected journalist in our time.

Details of the inductees' contributions to journalism in Atlantic Canada will be available after May 11, 2019 at www.AJAs.ca click on Hall of Fame. Please contact Bill Skerrett for photos of inductees.

Tickets to the Atlantic Journalism Awards events on May 11, 2019 in Halifax, including the gala reception and awards show, and the Hall of Fame induction, can be purchased online at www.AJAs.ca.

Our thanks to Cision for sponsoring this announcement.

SOURCE Atlantic Journalism Awards