The Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists Inc (ACAJ) is the national umbrella organisation for press clubs which focus on issues affecting rural and regional Australia. It also links members in all mainland States to a global network through the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ).

The ACAJ brings together rural media organisations in five States:

• Farm Writers' Association of NSW Inc
• Rural Media South Australia
• Rural Media Association of Western Australia
• Rural Press Club of Queensland
• Rural Press Club of Victoria

What's coming up

ACAJ-CSIRO special event series on Climate Change

Sydney: Thu 26 June 2008
NSW Farm Writers lunch with Dr Mark Howden, CSIRO.
More info.

Brisbane: Thu 26 June 2008
Queensland Rural Press Club lunch with Dr Andrew Ash, CSIRO.
More info.

Adelaide: Fri June 27 2008
Rural Media SA lunch with Dr Mark Howden, CSIRO.
More info

Perth: Fri June 27 2008
Rural Media WA breakfast with Dr Andy Paterson, Agricultural Research WA.
More info

Latest News

National event series on rural climate change

The impact of climate change on agriculture will be under scrutiny at a special series of events to be staged across Australia on June 26 and 27.

CSIRO is joining forces with the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists, ACAJ, to deliver the latest science and scenarios for the farm sector in 2030.

Rural media clubs affiliated with the ACAJ will host lunch functions in Sydney and Brisbane on June 26 and Adelaide on June 27. A breakfast in Perth on June 27 will be held in conjunction with Agricultural Research WA.

The presentations will draw from CSIRO’s latest assessment of climate impacts and adaptation options for Australian agriculture, prepared as part of the yet-to-be published National Climate Change Research Strategy for Primary Industries.

The Director of CSIRO’s Climate Adaptation Flagship Dr Andrew Ash said the series was a unique opportunity to communicate information of great importance to the rural Australia.

“We will be discussing what climate change will mean for the agricultural sector as a whole and for key farming regions across the country, Dr Ash said.

Speakers will present state-by-state examples of “hot spots” where climate change is likely to trigger transformative change in local agriculture.

ACAJ President Gordon Collie said this would be the first time that State-based member clubs had co-ordinated events on a single topic.

“Each club has a well established network and the combination is a very powerful medium. We are pleased to be collaborating with CSIRO to raise awareness of such a key issue for rural industry,” Mr Collie said.

For individual function details and bookings visit the particular member's website via the 'members' drop-down menu above.

Newspaper columnist named first Rural Media Icon

Well-known media advocate for regional and rural issues, Angela Goode has been inducted as the inaugural South Australian Rural Media Icon.

ABC Rural national editor Leigh Radford presented the honour to a surprised Goode at the May gathering of the local rural media press club, Rural Media South Australia. (2 June 2008)

Dog trial drama photo a national winner

A sheep dog trial gone wrong set the scene for the best Australian rural photo for 2008.

The image captured by Mike Dugdale of the Geelong Advertiser has won the competition organised by the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists.

National judge Jim Fenwick said the action photo was a clear winner in an outstanding field of entries.

Second place was an image of helicopter camel mustering taken by Evan Morgan from the Townsville Bulletin.

Third was a shot of a dog and cattle sharing a drinking trough taken by Matthew Smithwick of the Border Mail at Albury.

Read more and see the winners of second and third place.

Search for best rural writer in the country

The search is on for the best piece of Australian rural writing to compete for a prestigious global award, the Star Prize for Agricultural Journalism. The Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists, will select a national entrant from finalists nominated by affiliated clubs in all mainland States. The Star Prize will be a highlight at the 2008 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists World Congress which is being held in Austria and Slovenia in September.

John Deere sponsors the award both internationally and in Australia. The global prize is $750 Euros and a trophy with the runner up receiving $250 Euros and a certificate. In Australia the prize is $1000 and a certificate presented in the winner’s home State. John Deere Australia Advertising and Communications Manager Craig Pretorius said the company was pleased to support the award both internationally and in Australia.“Communication of the agricultural message is very important and we are delighted to be involved with a competition which gives recognition to talented rural writers,” Mr Pretorius said.

For information on the Star Prize writing award criteria contact Gordon Collie on 07 3856 3614.

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