National Liquor News Managing Editor Deborah Jackson has been named the recipient of the 2025 Liquor Stores Association of Western Australia (LSA WA) Media Award, proudly sponsored by Lion.
The award was presented at the annual Liquor Industry Awards in Perth last week, celebrating Deb’s long-standing contribution to fair, factual, and people-centred reporting across the Australian liquor retail sector.
Peter Peck, CEO of the LSA WA, said Deb’s work continues to elevate the standard of industry journalism.
“Deb’s writing consistently reflects a thoughtful understanding of the broader social responsibility that comes with the industry,” said Peck. “She has championed positive conversations around harm minimisation, innovation, and leadership – including her coverage of the Banned Drinkers Register and her thoughtful reporting on industry reform and advocacy through leaders like the LSA WA’s own Steve Nicoloff and Lou Spagnolo.
“What distinguishes Deb’s journalism is her capacity to humanise the business of liquor retailing. She finds the people behind the brands – the local operators, the cooperatives, the family businesses – and tells their stories with empathy, accuracy, and respect.
“In recognising Deborah Jackson with the 2025 LSA WA Media Award, we celebrate a journalist who exemplifies the best of industry reporting – fair, factual, and fiercely committed to telling the stories that matter.”
Deb, who joined The Intermedia Group in 2015 as Editor of National Liquor News and Deputy Editor of The Shout, has since worked across several of the publisher’s key liquor and retail trade titles, including Beer & Brewer and New Zealand’s World of Wine. Following two years as Associate Publisher of Convenience & Impulse Retailing and Pet Industry News, she returned in 2024 to her home turf in liquor as Managing Editor of National Liquor News, marking more than a decade dedicated to trade media within retail and liquor.
Reflecting on the recognition, Deb said the award was both humbling and deeply meaningful.
“Winning this award is such an incredible honour,” she said. “As Managing Editor of National Liquor News, I’ve had the privilege of writing about and working with independent liquor retailers for more than a decade. In that time, I’ve seen firsthand the passion, resilience, and innovation that make this industry so special.
“National Liquor News has always had one purpose: to help independent liquor retailers run successful businesses. But more than that, we aim to celebrate the people behind the stores – the ones who know their customers by name, who champion local products, and who keep communities connected through great hospitality.
“To Peter Peck and the LSA team, it’s always been a pleasure to work alongside you, and I’m so grateful and humbled by this award.
“And to all of the retailers that I’ve written about over the years, thank you for sharing your stories with me and letting me be a small part of your journey.”
The LSA WA Media Award celebrates outstanding journalism that promotes integrity, balance, and understanding within the liquor industry – values that have defined Deb’s editorial approach throughout her career.