This prestigious award - one of the oldest in this category - was created in memory of Lord Astor of Hever, for many years the President of the Commonwealth Press Union.

It is awarded biennially to an individual considered to have made an outstanding contribution to press freedom or for his/her distinguished service to the Commonwealth newspaper industry.

The 2005 Astor Award
Mr Gavin Ellis

At the closing dinner of the CPU's Biennial Conference in Sydney, February 2005, hosted by APN News & Media, Gavin Ellis from New Zealand was presented with the 2005 Astor Award by Philip Astor. Gavin stepped down as editor of the New Zealand Herald in December 2004.

His 40-year career in the media started at the Auckland Star in 1965. He joined the Herald, then owned by Wilson and Horton in 1972 and became editor-in-chief in 1999. His commitment to press freedom is well documented and widely acknowledged.

He is also the retiring chairman of the CPU New Zealand Section.

2003 Kuldip Nayar for his outstanding contribution to press freedom India

2000 Gilbert Ahnee for his outstanding contribution to press freedom Mauritius

1998 Sano Malifa for his outstanding contribution to Press Freedom in the Pacific Western Samoa

1996 Fred M'membe for his outstanding contribution to Press Freedom Zambia

1994 Bayo Onanuga for his outstanding contribution to Commonwealth Press Freedom Nigeria

1993 Arnold Raphael for distinguished service to the Commonwealth Press UK

1992 David de Caires for his notable contribution to Commonwealth Press Freedom Guyana

1989 Arun Shourie for distinguished service in the cause of Press Freedom India

1988 Patsy Robertson for her outstanding contribution to Commonwealth understanding Jamaica

1987 Terry Pierce-Goulding for devoted service to the Commonwealth Press 1970-87 UK

1986 Sir Edward Pickering for distinguished services to the Commonwealth Press UK

1985 Kenneth Gordon for distinguished service in the cause of Press Freedom Trinidad

1984 Lyle Turnbull for distinguished services to the Commonwealth Press Australia

1983 Hon Leslie Ashenheim for distinguished services to the Commonwealth Press Jamaica

1982 Glanvill Benn for his outstanding contribution to Commonwealth understanding UK

1980 J F Hardingham for distinguished service to the Commonwealth Press New Zealand

1979 Donald Tyerman for distinguished service to the Commonwealth Press UK

1978 Derek Ingram for his outstanding contribution to Commonwealth understanding UK

1977 C R Irani for distinguished service in the cause of Press Freedom India

1976 St Clair Balfour for distinguished service to the Commonwealth Press Canada

1975 Sepala Gunasena for his notable contribution to Freedom of Information Sri Lanka

1974 Sir Vincent Fairfax for distinguished service to the Commonwealth UK

1973 Harry Brittain founder of the Commonwealth Press Union UK

1972 Eugene Wason for services to Journalism UK

1971 Mabel Strickland Malta

1970 John Spicer Zimbabwe