Rabobank broadcasts new media award

First national broadcast award for rural media – radio, TV and internet
$1000 cash announced as first prize

Major rural lender, Rabobank, has come on board as sponsor of Australia’s first national broadcast award for rural media.

Finalists in the Australian Star Prize for Rural Broadcasting will now compete for $1000 in prize money, thanks to the support of the bank. The winner will also get to represent their country in the first ever international award for rural broadcasting, due to be announced in Belgium in April 2010.

The sponsorship was announced today by the Australian Council for Agricultural Journalists (ACAJ), which is organising the award in association with Australia’s five dedicated rural press clubs.

“The annual Star Prize competitions for photography and print journalism already rank among the most prestigious awards in the rural sector,” said ACAJ president Liz Harfull.

“With the very welcome support of Rabobank, we can now expand the program to include this exciting new award for broadcast journalism, providing recognition for excellence across every media sector.

“Importantly, the broadcast award is open not only to journalists working in traditional radio and television media, but also journalists preparing video and podcasts for internet-based media.”

Rabobank general manager, Rural Australia, Peter Knoblanche, said Rabobank was pleased to have the opportunity to recognise excellence in Australian rural journalism.

“Australia has a very high standard of rural journalism and we are very pleased to recognise in particular quality broadcast media in the rural sector,” he said.

“Rural broadcast journalists often work under challenging circumstances, producing stories in isolation, with limited time and resources. It is important the efforts of these journalists are acknowledged and they have the opportunity to compete on the world stage.”

Finalists for the competition are being selected by the state-based rural press clubs. Entries have already closed in SA and WA, where Rural Media South Australia and the Rural Media Association of WA are selecting finalists as part of their annual State award programs.

Entries are still open for competitions being run by the Farm Writers Association of NSW Inc (closes December 31), Rural Press Club of Queensland and Rural Press Club of Victoria (closing January 8, 2010.

For more information visit the ACAJ website at www.acaj.org.au

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Editor’s please note: For more information on the awards contact ACAJ president Liz Harfull on 0409 674 941 or email lizk@adam.com.au