The Australian Star Prize for Rural Broadcasting, sponsored by Rabobank, is a new award which offers a cash prize of $1,000

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. 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 broadcast award is open to journalists working in radio, television and preparing video and podcasts for internet-based media. “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,” said Rabobank general manager, Rural Australia, Peter Knoblanche.“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.” Read more...

Alltech Award launched in Brisbane

Entries are now open for the 2010 Alltech Young Leaders in Rural Journalism Award.

This national award offers travel and registration to attend the IFAJ World Congress in Belgium next April.

Alltech’s Emily Naylor launched the award at the Rural Press Club November lunch which featured a presentation by the 2009 recipient, ABC Country Hour Toowoomba-based reporter Arlie Douglas on her experience at the Texas, USA Congress.

The award is open to all financial members working in the rural media under the age of 32, with a single national judging.

Entries close on January 15. Full details here (PDF)

Pictured right at the Alltech Award launch in Brisbane were Emily Boyd, Alltech, the 2009 winner Arlie Douglas and Gordon Collie.

Expanded rural media awards search for best in the bush

• First national rural broadcasting award announced
• $1000 for best rural writing
• Prizes for best people, production and landscape photos

Three major national awards for journalists and photographers covering rural issues have been announced today by the Australian Council for Agricultural Journalists (ACAJ).

“The annual Star Prize Awards are the most prestigious national awards dedicated to celebrating excellence in our rural media, with finalists selected by Australia’s five rural press clubs,” said ACAJ president Liz Harfull. Media Release

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 $50  00.  Media Release

Alltech award winners are grinners

Alltech Young Leaders in Rural Journalism Award 2009 winner Arlie Douglas said: ‘I smile even as I write about the highlights of the 2009 IFAJ Congress’. Read Arlie’s report about her wonderful week in Texas.

Students with an interest in rural journalism are invited to enter the JB Fairfax Award for Rural Journalism.

The Award encourages students of studies relevant to rural affairs to consider a career in rural journalism upon graduation. One award of $10,000 is available to contribute to the cost of student's studies and an article by the winning student will be published in a major rural publication. Students must submit a feature article of up to 1,200 words and demonstrate an active interest in rural affairs. The closing date for applications is 13 November 2009.
Detailed information can be found on the Royal Agricultural Society Foundation website

ACAJ elects new president

Best-selling author and freelance rural journalist Liz Harfull has been elected president of the ACAJ. The first South Australian to hold the position, Liz brings 30 years’ experience as a journalist and public relations consultant to her new role. She will also continue to serve as the ACAJ’s official delegate to the IFAJ which links rural journalists, photographers and communicators with their peers in more than 30 countries.

The ACAJ annual meeting also elected Queensland-based journalist and media consultant Jane Milburn as vice president. Victorian communicator Emily Bogue is the new secretary. Marketing and promotions consultant Bob Snewin, from Adelaide, continues as treasurer. link to full report

Arlie Douglas joins young journalists in Texas

Australian Arlie Douglas (second from right) joined 10 other young colleagues from around the world brought to the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress in Texas by sponsor Alltech.
Arlie, who is the ABC rural reporter on the Darling Downs in Queensland, won the 2009 Alltech Young Leaders in Rural Journalism Award organized by the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists.
The group is pictured at the conference in Fort Worth with IFAJ secretary general Owen Roberts (second from the left at rear) and Alltech North American Public Relations Manager Billy Frey (right). View larger picture

Australians sparkle in international Star Prize

Two Australians took out major awards in the prestigious 2009 Star Prize competition for journalists and photographers at the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists World Congress in Texas, USA.
A photo by Evan Collis and an article by John Conroy were honoured in strong competition from communicators in more than 30 IFAJ member countries around the world.
Western Australian-based freelance photographer Evan Collis won the prize for the best photo depicting production aspects of farming in the Star Prize for Agricultural Photography, and Victorian reporter John Conroy was runner-up in the Star Prize for Agricultural Journalism which is sponsored by John Deere.
Certificates for the two winners will be presented during the Rural Press Club of Victoria’s annual awards night. The Victorian club is affiliated with the IFAJ through the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists.
link to full report

Jane Milburn joins leadership program

ACAJ secretary Jane Milburn has been awarded a scholarship from Rural Press Limited to join the prestigious Australian Rural Leadership Program

for 2009-2010.

Jane, an experienced Brisbane-based rural journalist and consultant, is currently media manager with State broadacre farm group AgForce.

Prior to taking up her position with the ACAJ, Jane completed a three year term as president of the Queensland Rural Press Club.

The leadership program enhances the skills of talented individuals from all over Australia who have a commitment to building a prosperous future for rural Australia. Full story

ACAJ executive changes 2008-09
The Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists has made changes to it’s leadership team at the 2008 annual meeting.
(5 September 2008)

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