Canberra-based editorial cartoonist David Pope has once again been recognised at the highest level of Australian journalism, clinching his third Walkley Award at a ceremony held on Thursday night.
A Powerful Image Wins the Prize
The prestigious Cartoon of the Year award was bestowed upon Pope for his poignant work titled 'Gaza'. The cartoon depicts a starving child seated before an empty dinner plate, offering a stark visual commentary on the humanitarian crisis. In his award entry, Pope reflected on the challenge of creating such an image, stating, "There is no drawing that could shock or move a reader more than an actual news photo of a starving child. This cartoon takes the familiar symbols associated with eating ... and raises the political question of just what is the end game of this terrible war?"
A Decade of Excellence in Cartooning
This latest honour marks Pope's tenth time as a finalist at the Walkleys, Australia's most prestigious journalism awards. His first win came in 2016 for his viral cartoon 'He drew first', created in response to the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attacks in Paris. He then received his second award in 2021 for 'Rollout de Vax', a sharp satire that lampooned the federal government's initially sluggish COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
David Pope has been the staff cartoonist for The Canberra Times since 2008, taking over from the renowned Geoff Pryor. His influence, however, extends far beyond the daily editorial page.
Community Impact Beyond the Drawing Board
Beyond his award-winning illustrations, Pope has made significant contributions to his community. He actively promoted public health during the pandemic by encouraging vaccinations. Furthermore, following the devastating 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires, his fundraising initiative, The Coast is Calling series, raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, demonstrating a deep commitment to national recovery efforts.
