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

Sydney: Fri 29 August 2008
Meet the new hand on the tiller of Elders Rural Services, Mike Guerin over lunch.
More info.

Melbourne: Fri 29 August 2008
The RPCV's well regarded Rural and Regional Journalists Forum is a great professional development opportunity. Also celebrate the best of the best at the RPCV's Journalism and Photography Awards Dinner fro 7pm.
More info.

Latest News

Successful ACAJ-CSIRO Collaboration on Climate Change

A joint venture between the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists (ACAJ) and CSIRO has helped profile vital issues on climate change facing the Australian farm sector. CSIRO prepared a major report which formed the basis of functions hosted across Australia by ACAJ affiliates.

Top writing award to rural editor

Good Fruit and Vegetables magazine editor Brad Cooper has been selected by an international panel of judges to receive the 2008 Australian Star Prize for Rural Journalism.

The Brisbane-based journalist will now represent Australia in the world’s most prestigious professional competition for rural journalists – the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Star Prize for Agricultural Journalism in September.

Brad received a $1000 cash prize and certificate from sponsor John Deere and also won $500 from the Queensland Rural Press Club as that State’s winning entrant. Full report.

Photo: A presentation to Brad Cooper was made by ACAJ President Gordon Collie in Brisbane.



$10,000 award for budding rural journalists

A new national award has been launched to encourage quality coverage of rural and regional affairs by Australian journalists.

Newspaper publisher J. B. Fairfax has made a private donation to establish the award through the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation.

It is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students to offset the cost of studies towards a career in rural journalism.
The inaugural award closes on October 15 and the winner will be announced in February 2009.
An application form can be downloaded from www.rasf.org.au

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.

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