CITATION: Bruce Grundy

The Award has been given in honour of his meritorious, courageous and persistent work as an investigative journalist in unearthing and exposing the hidden truths associated with the matter commonly known as "the Heiner Affair" (a.k.a. "Shreddergate").

The latter term was first coined by him when editor-in-chief of the University of Queensland's School of Journalism student newspaper The Weekend Independent.)

Queensland Whistleblowers publicly recognise that while working in concert with his student journalists and whistleblower, Mr Kevin Lindeberg, without Grundy's tireless professionalism and dedication to his craft, the whole truth of this systemic cover-up would never have come to public light, including the unlawful sexual assault of a 14-year-old Indigenous female inmate by other male inmates of the John Oxley Youth Detention Centre while on a supervised bush outing to the Lower Portals at Mt Barney in May 1988.

Queensland Whistleblower publicly acknowledge in Grundy's work the vital truth when it comes to whistleblowers making public interest disclosures, especially against those in government who may hold high public office or wield influence.

It is that whistleblowers cannot survive the aftermath of their disclosure to a proper authority without the constant, professional support of and from the media without fear or favour in respect of whom the wrongdoer associated with the disclosure may be.

In this regard, Grundy exemplified all the great traditions associated with investigative journalism vital in all properly functioning democracies. Such journalism plays its essential role in securing the public's right to know in keeping government open and accountable in all its activities according to law, and society free from abuse of power leading to oppression to the individual and tyranny for all.

Queensland Whistleblower hold this to be true. That is, in whatever final form the true story of this scandal may eventually be or in whatever forum its history is accurately recounted, the role of Grundy and his commitment to truth-telling will hold an unchallengeable place of great prominence and respect.