Rabobank Australian Star Prize for Rural Broadcasting

The Rabobank Australian Star Prize for Rural Broadcasting, is an award organised by the ACAJ to recognize excellence in radio, television and online journalism in the rural sector.

The national winner will receive professional development in the form of a trip overseas to attend the annual IFAJ Congress. The prize includes airfares and registration fees up to a value of $5000, sponsored by Rabobank.

The winner is chosen from finalists nominated by State rural media organisations affiliated with the ACAJ.

The successful entry in each category goes on to represent Australia in the IFAJ Star Prize for Broadcast Journalism, which is announced during the annual IFAJ Congress.

Individuals cannot enter the IFAJ award direct – they must be selected by the ACAJ.

Media release – Rabobank announces increased sponsorship commitment for 2011 broadcast award.

Categories

• Television – for the best piece produced primarily for broadcast on television.
• Radio – for the best piece produced primarily for broadcast on radio.
• Online radio (podcasts) – best audio piece produced primarily for broadcast via internet.
• Online video –best audio visual piece produced primarily for broadcast via the internet. 

Who can enter

State organisations may provide one finalist for each category. To be eligible, the entry must:

• Be a story of broad agricultural interest.
• The story may be the work of more than one journalist.
• Have been broadcast/ uploaded via television, radio or the internet.
• Be a single story. Providing multiple pieces that make up a series is not allowed. In such a situation, select one story from the series to enter.  

Judging criteria

Judging focuses primarily on the work of the journalist and not the work of the whole team involved in producing the story. Criteria includes overall impact and style, technical elements relating to the work of the journalist, objectivity and balance.

Please note: the work should primarily be a piece of journalism or editorial, and not material prepared as part of a public relations program.

Further information:

Journalists interested in entering the award should contact their local rural press club for details on selection processes for State finalists.

2011 winner

Experienced Queensland ABC television journalist Pip Courtney won the 2011 Rabobank Australian Star Prize for Rural Broadcasting with a comprehensive, balanced and well-researched piece about the coal seam gas industry and its impact on farmers, broadcast nationally on Landline in May, 2010. The honour coincided with Pip’s 25th anniversary with the national broadcaster. “Pipe Dreams” won the overall award after taking out the television category. ABC Rural reporter Julia Holman, based in Canberra, won the radio category, and WA ABC Rural reporter Flint Duxfield claimed the online prize. Find out more about all the winners and take a look at their entries...

2010 winner