News Release                                                 October 22, 2009

Win a trip to Europe - entries open for young journalist award

A national award for rural journalists will send a young Australian to Europe next year to attend an international gathering of their peers from around the world.

The prestigious Alltech Australian Young Leaders in Rural Journalism Award, now in its fifth year, is being organised by the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists (ACAJ) in association with Alltech Biotechnology Pty Ltd.

The winner will attend the annual International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) congress in Ostend, Belgium, from April 17 to 21, 2010. The scholarship will cover airfares and registration costs for the congress, up to a value of $5000.

“The award is a fantastic opportunity for a young journalist committed to covering rural issues to improve their skills, and learn more about agriculture and trade in the home of the European Commission,” said ACAJ president Liz Harfull in launching the award today at a meeting of the South Australian rural press club, Rural Media South Australia.

“We are absolutely delighted with Alltech’s ongoing support to make this award possible. Offering an award of this nature is a crucial part of the ACAJ’s role in encouraging young journalists to pursue a career path in the rural sector and expanding their opportunities for professional development,” she said.

“As enthusiastic feedback from previous winners suggests, attending the congress opens up a whole new world to journalists who often work in isolation.”

Ms Harfull said she expected Australians to be particularly interested in going to the 2010 event, given the timing would place them close to the famous battlefields of World War One in time to extend their trip a few days and attend the Anzac Day dawn service at the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.

Alltech Australia marketing manager Emma May said the company remained committed to the award as part of a wider program that encouraged education and excellence among scientists, people writing about science and agriculture, and for company employees.

“Alltech strongly believes that education is vital to ensuring the sustainability and success of our industry. Rural journalists play a key role in this process and are essential in communicating what is happening in our industry, inspiring us all to move forward,” she said.

The award is open to journalists 32 years of age or under as at December 31, 2010. Entrants must be a member of a rural press club affiliated with the ACAJ.

Entries close January 15, 2010.

About Alltech

Alltech is a multinational biotechnology company providing natural animal health solutions through nutrition. The company employs more than 1,800 people in 119 countries and operates 14 production facilities, including two in the Asia-Pacific region.

Alltech is recognised as one of the leading research-based animal health companies in the world. By focusing on providing natural solutions to real problems, it works to respond to the industry needs and enhance customers' profitability. Alltech is committed to its pioneering ACE program, ensuring its products are safe for the Animal, the Consumer and the Environment.

People interested in the awards should contact their local rural media association or ACAJ president and official delegate to the IFAJ, Liz Harfull – email lizk@adam.com.au or phone 0409 674 941

Further information and a flyer with details on how to enter is available at www.acaj.org.au

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