Avery, who also won best television broadcaster and best TV news report for his coverage of the Jodie Meyers murder, was described by judges as “one of the best story breakers in the business”.

Also at the awards ceremony on Saturday night, InDaily reporter Bension Siebert won the Max Fatchen Award for Best Young Journalist for his series of articles exposing concerns about construction practices on the South Road Superway.

The judges said: “(Siebert’s) dogged persistence investigating claims by workers and structural engineers led eventually to a state parliamentary committee inquiry. The judges considered that Bension’s carefully crafted and balanced articles reflected an impressive depth of investigation and succeeded in raising serious concerns without either sensationalising or trivialising the subject matter.”

InDaily editor David Washington won the award for best commentary, analysis, opinion and critique for a series of pieces commenting on issues as diverse as media coverage of the war in Syria, the Gillman controversy and the performance of the city council.

Adelaide journalism trailblazer Marg Ralston AM was the Hall of Fame winner for outstanding contribution to journalism.

Ralston started her career with now closed Adelaide afternoon paper The News in 1972, rising to the position of sports editor – the first woman to hold this position at a major metropolitan Australian newspaper.

The Advertiser’s Lauren Novak won best print/digital journalist for her excellent and sustained coverage of child protection and domestic violence issues.

The Advertiser’s Dean Martin was named best photographer.

In a big night for the ABC, Natalie Whiting was one of many winners for the national broadcaster, taking out the radio category.

Today Tonight’s Hendrik Gout won a new award for best investigative journalism for his coverage of the collapse of the Interfert network of fertiliser companies.

Scroll down for all the winners.

Hall of Fame – For Outstanding Contribution to Journalism

Margaret Ralston AM

2016 Journalist of the Year

Ben Avery: Nine News Adelaide

Silver award winners

Julie Duncan Memorial Award for Student Journalism

Ashleigh Pisani, University of South Australia

Max Fatchen Award for Best Young Journalist

Bension Siebert: Solstice Media / InDaily

Best Radio Broadcaster

Natalie Whiting: ABC

Best Print/Digital Journalist

Lauren Novak: The Advertiser

Best Photographer

Dean Martin: Advertiser Newspapers

Best Television Broadcaster (Presenter, Reporter or Camera Person)

Ben Avery: Nine News Adelaide

Bronze award winners

Commentary, Analysis, Opinion & Critique – All Media

David Washington, InDaily: Body of Work

Best Community Journalist – All Media

Kate Hill, ABC: Body of Work

Best Rural/Regional Journalist – All Media

Elise Fantin, ABC: Palliative care saved

Best Coverage of Social Equity Affairs – All Media

Natalie Whiting, ABC News 24: Body of Work

Best Coverage of Sport- All Media

Richard Earle, The Advertiser: Trailblazers

Best Investigative Journalism – All Media

Hendrik Gout, Network Seven: Interfert

Best Freelance Contribution – All Media

Max Opray, Schwartz Media, Guardian News and Media: Body of Work

Best Radio News or Current Affairs or Feature Report

Carl Smith, ABC: Energy Futures

Best TV News Report

Ben Avery, Nine News Adelaide: Jody Meyers Murder

Best TV Current Affairs or Feature

Alex Mann, ABC, 7. 30 Report : On The Run

Best TV News or Current Affairs – Camera

Scott Perry, Nine Network Australia: Sampson Flat Bushfire Coverage

Best Print /Digital News Report

Penelope Debelle, Advertiser Newspapers: Chemotherapy bungle exposed

Best Print /Digital News or Lifestyle Feature

Verity Edwards, The Australian: Chloe Valentine

Best News Photograph or Photographic Series

Kelly Barnes, The Australian: John Lush – Pinery Fires, at son’s burnt-out home

Best Sport Photograph or Photographic Series

Ryan Schembri, SMP Images / Australian Baseball League: Twilight pitching – Baseball

Best Feature Photograph or Photographic Series

Simon Cross, The Advertiser: Sky-high wind power