News Release                                                 June 17, 2009

Trip to Texas for young Queensland journalist

Toowoomba journalist Arlie Douglas is heading to the United States after winning a prestigious national award for young rural journalists.

The ABC’s rural reporter on the Darling Downs, Arlie has won the 2009 Alltech Young Leaders in Rural Journalism Award, organised in conjunction with the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists (ACAJ). The Weekly Times journalist Kate Dowler, based in Hamilton, western Victoria, was named runner-up.

As the winner, Arlie will attend the 2009 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) congress in Texas, from July 31 to August 5. The cost of her attendance will be covered by global animal nutrition company, Alltech, which sponsors the award.

A panel of three judges selected the young Queenslander from an outstanding field of candidates, in what was one of the closest competitions since the award was established three years ago.

“The judges were very impressed by Arlie’s obvious passion for rural reporting and the vision she has for the development of on-line media for rural audiences,” said ACAJ vice president, Liz Harfull, who was one of the judges and serves as Australia’s official delegate to the IFAJ.

“Arlie is already playing a leadership role in this area. She was part of an ABC trial which involved posting daily rural reports on the broadcaster’s popular website, including audio, podcasts and photographs; and her report page received more hits than any other rural reporter in Australia.”

Arlie believes adding online reports in a variety of formats to the Country Hour mix has made information more user-friendly and accessible, not only to rural audiences but also to urban Australians wanting to know more about what is going on in regional areas and industries.

“It's a growing medium for all consumers of news and I believe it's an enormous opportunity to give agricultural stories a wider audience,” she said.

“I know my job is foremost to present honest, fair, respectful, balanced, independent and accurate rural news, however I think there's an added responsibility. I feel very strongly that my job is also to communicate rural Australia's voice to the rest of the world, and online media greatly enhances that ability.”

Arlie intends to use her award win as an opportunity to meet peers from around the world and to explore the concept of creating a website that links young rural journalists with more experienced colleagues for mentoring and professional development.

During her trip she will meet with Dr Jim Evans and with IFAJ secretary general Owen Roberts, who leads the organisation’s professional development program. Roberts is a Canadian journalist and academic who heads up research communications at the University of Guelph. Dr Evans is a retired journalist and one of the world’s most respected leaders in agricultural communications, who serves as a professor emeritus in agricultural communications at the University of Illinois.

Alltech Pacific Rim Marketing Manager Emily Naylor praised Arlie for her enthusiasm, and said she was delighted the company was able to provide her with an opportunity to meet with some of the world’s leading rural journalists and educators to help make her vision a reality.

“Professional development, education and access to accurate and timely information are all vital to ensuring the sustainability and success of rural industries,” she said.

“We are very pleased to sponsor this award, which we hope encourages young journalists to consider a long-term career in the rural sector and to take a leadership role in its future.”

About Alltech

Alltech is a multinational biotechnology company providing natural animal health solutions through nutrition. The company employs more than 1,900 people in 86 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.

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For further details contact Liz Harfull on 0409 67 941 or email lizk@adam.com.au