NEWS AND EVENTS: RPCV summer fire season breakfast The smoke from Black Saturday seems like it's only just settled and yet somehow we find ourselves nearly three years on and on the verge of another summer fire season. Last year we prepared for fire and got floods. So what will the summer of 2011-2012 bring Victorians? What has changed and what will change in how we battle bushfires? Join Police and Emergency Services Minister, Deputy Premier Peter Ryan and Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley to find out. Minister Ryan and Commissioner Lapsley will give a detailed briefing at the Rural Press Club of Victoria's Summer Fire Season Breakfast on 14 November. When: Monday 14 November 2011 from 7:30am to 9:00am Where: CQ Functions, 113 Queen St, (between Bourke and Little Collins Streets), Melbourne How much: $45 ($40 for 2011/2012 financial year members) Parking: On-site parking (off Little Collins St.) and overflow parking within 3 minutes' walk. Queries: Please contact Fiona Davis at fiona@curriecommunications.com.au or 03 9696 5899 Click here to book your seat Federal Agriculture Minister to address Rural Press Club Australia's first National Food Plan will be up for discussion when Federal Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig addresses the Rural Press Club of Victoria later this month. At the breakfast on 27 October, Senator Ludwig will explain the development of the Plan and how it will better integrate Australia's approach to food policy, from the producer through to the consumer. With food security a growing global focus, securing the future of Australia's food supply, supporting a healthy population, and ensuring all Australians are appropriately positioned to respond to the global and local forces impacting on Australia's food supply will be a key focus for Government and industry, Senator Ludwig says. To find out more, make sure you book your place now. Where: CQ Functions, 113 Queen St, (between Bourke and Little Collins Streets), Melbourne When: Thursday 27 Oct 2011 from 7:15 am to 8.45am Tickets: General admission $55, 2011/2012 RPCV financial member $50 Parking: On-site parking (off Little Collins St.) and overflow parking within 3 minutes' walk. Queries: Please contact Fiona Davis at fiona@curriecommunications.com.au or 03 9696 5899. Click here to book your seat RPCV sustainable dairy manufacturing breakfast Sustainability in dairy manufacturing will be on the agenda, when Fonterra Managing Director for Australia/New Zealand John Doumani addresses the Rural Press Club of Victoria on 21 October. Mr Doumani will be joined by Paul Gilding, activist and recent author of The Great Disruption, a book which looks at how the climate crisis will transform the global economy. Both Mr Doumani and Mr Gilding, who provides ongoing consultation and strategic advice to Fonterra on a number of sustainability issues, will briefly address the breakfast, to be held at CQ Functions, before holding a Q&A session. Mr Gilding has been an activist and social entrepreneur for 35 years, and formerly served as the CEO of Greenpeace and other innovative NGOs. Mr Doumani joined Fonterra in 2007. He has had a 25-year career in international business and consumer brands. Before joining Fonterra, he was President International of Campbell's Soup Company. When: Friday 21 Oct 2011 from 7:30am to 9:00am Where: CQ Functions, 113 Queen St, (between Bourke and Little Collins Streets), Melbourne Parking: On-site parking (off Little Collins St.) and overflow parking within 3 minutes' walk. Queries: Please contact Fiona Davis at fiona@curriecommunications.com.au or 03 9696 5899. Click here to book your seat now Past events 2011 Rural and Regional Women's Lunch Some of Victoria's leading women will address the inaugural 2011 Rural and Regional Women's Lunch in Bendigo next month. Rural Finance chair Sonia Petering, Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie and the Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal chief executive officer Alexandra Gartmann will be among the line up at the Big Hill Vineyard on 16 September. Come join us for lunch and hear Victoria's highest achievers talk about their experiences and their priorities for the rest of the year. Where: Big Hill Vineyard, Corner Calder Hwy & Belvoir Park Rd, Big Hill, Vic 3453 When: Friday 16 Sep 2011 from 12:00pm to 2:30pm Book your place now 2011 Rural and Regional Journalism Seminar The Rural Press Club of Victoria is offering its younger members a rare opportunity to meet and quiz leading journalists at the annual Regional Journalists Forum. 3AW Mornings presenter Neil Mitchell will be our special guest, providing journalists with an insight into the program, his approach to issues and his ratings success. The 2011 forum will also feature a discussion panel looking at how the change of State Government has affected regional reporting. Ten months in, what opportunities and challenges have been provided by the change of Government? Hear what Ballarat Courier editor Andrew Eales and political reporters from the ABC and The Age have to say. The rise of Twitter and Facebook and how it can be used to inform reporting will also be discussed by a panel, including journalists from The Age and Channel Nine, as well as 3AW's online editor Ben Wise. The forum will include tours of The Age and 3AW, including the opportunity for a small group to see Neil Mitchell presenting the Mornings program. Date: Friday, 26 August 2011 Time: 9am to 3pm Venue: The Age, 655 Collins St Docklands Cost: Free for 2011/12 RPCV financial members* * Non members can join while registering Click here to book your place now Download the program here Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean to address Rural Press lunch Federal Minister for Regional Australia, Simon Crean, is set to address the Rural Press Club of Victoria next month at a lunch at the Oaks on Collins. Fresh from a national tour of the nation's industrial heartland, Simon will discuss the benefits of a carbon tax and his priorities for regional Australia on Friday, 19 August. Minister for the Arts, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, Simon has held the Victorian seat of Hotham since 1990. He holds degrees in Economics and Law from Monash University and was Leader of the Opposition from 2001 to 2003. Date: Friday, 19 August 2011 Time: 12.15pm registration for 12.30pm sit-down. Venue: Oaks on Collins, 480 Collins St, Melbourne Dress Code: Business attire. Moderator: Ed Gannon, President of the Rural Press Club of Victoria Cost: $65 per head RPCV members, $75 per head non-RPCV members. * Special dietary requirements to be advised on booking. Click here to book your seat now Celebrate Victoria's finest rural and regional media: Book now Come celebrate with Victoria's top rural and regional media at this year's Rural Press Club of Victoria Journalism and Photography Awards Dinner on Friday, 26 August. The awards recognise excellence in agricultural and rural journalism and photography, in both the print and electronic media. Prizes will be awarded across a range of categories, and the prestigious Rural Press Club of Victoria Journalist of the Year and Photographer of the Year announced. Where: Hilton-on-the-Park, 192 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne When: Friday 26 Aug 2011 from 7:00pm Guests will enjoy a three course meal with beverages and hear from guest speaker, John Hamilton, Walkley Award winning journalist and foreign correspondent for over 40 years. Click here to book your seat now New MLA Managing Director to address Rural Press breakfast MLA's new Managing Director Scott Hansen is set to address the Rural Press Club of Victoria later this month at a breakfast at the Hilton on the Park, East Melbourne. Less than a month into his new role, Scott will discuss the recent live exports controversy and his hopes for MLA over the second half the year. Mr Hansen joined MLA in 2004 as the company's Communications Manager, later becoming General Manager for Industry Affairs and Communication, then MLA's General Manager Communications and Livestock Exports. In 2009, he moved to Washington in 2009 to head up the company's beef, lamb and goat marketing efforts in the US, Canada and Mexico. * Please note this breakfast is at the Hilton on the Park, not the Swanston Hotel. Date: Thursday, 28 July 2011 Time: 7.30am registration for 7.45am sit-down Venue: Hilton on the Park, 192 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne Parking: Underground parking is available at an additional cost. Dress Code: Business attire. Moderator: Ed Gannon, President of the Rural Press Club of Victoria Cost: $50 per head RPCV members, $55 per head non-RPCV members Download more information Make a booking 2011 Rural Journalism & Photography Awards now open The Rural Press Club of Victoria's 2011 Rural Journalism & Photography Awards are now open. The awards recognise excellence in agricultural and rural journalism & photography, in both the print and electronic media. They are open to all journalists and photographers who have covered rural issues in Victoria and the Riverina in 2010-11. Entries must be submitted by Friday, 8 July. Winners will be announced on Friday, 26 August at the Awards dinner at the Hilton on the Park, Melbourne. Download entry details and form here 2010 Vic Rural Woman of Year to address Rural Press breakfast Fresh from her recent appearance on the ABC's Q&A program, Benalla farmer and 2010 Victorian Rural Woman of the Year, Alana Johnson is set to address the Rural Press Club of Victoria next month. Join Alana as she elaborates on her vision for rural and regional Australian at a breakfast at Melbourne's Swanston Hotel on 3 June. A fifth generation farmer and rural consultant, Alana features in the recently published Women's Word of Wisdom, Power and Passion, launched by Quentin Bryce to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day. Alana is recognised for her work in rural leadership and change management nationally and internationally. To book contact Lynda Lawson For more details click here NFF President reluctant to take sides on carbon tax National Farmers' Federation President Jock Laurie told a Rural Press Club of Victoria lunch yesterday (14 April) that the NFF would not be picking sides on the carbon tax debate. Mr Laurie recognised that the NFF's member groups oppose the tax and said it was ultimately a tax on food production. But he said the NFF needed to be in a position to negotiate for the best outcome for farmers, should the tax go ahead. For Weekly Times coverage of Jock Laurie's address click here For Sydney Morning Herald coverage click here New NFF President to address Rural Press lunch With record-breaking floods, the introduction of carbon farming legislation and an ongoing battle with Coles, new National Farmers' Federation President, Jock Laurie, has taken up his position at a critical time for Australian agriculture. Join Jock when he addresses a Rural Press Club of Victoria lunch on Thursday, 14 April, and talks about his outlook for Australian farmers this year. A fourth generation grazier, Jock was elected NFF president last November, having spent four years as president of the New South Wales Farmers’ Federation. Book your place now. Download the meeting notice here Click here to make a booking Entries closing soon for prestigious Australian rural media awards Entries are closing soon for this year's Australian Star Prize awards for rural writing, photography and broadcasting. Victorian entries must be submitted by COB, Friday 18 March. This year there are two new prizes worth up to $5000 each on offer. The awards recognise news stories and images published, uploaded or broadcast during 2010. Submit Victorian entries to Fiona Davis, via email at fionadavis@curriecom.com.au or post at Currie Communications, Level 4, 180 Albert Rd, South Melbourne 3205. Please use the entry forms available to download below. To download the media release, click here To download the broadcasting entry form, click here To download the writing and photography entry form, click here Coles milk sales rising Sales of Coles home brand milk have risen since the supermarket chain dropped its price, Coles merchandising director John Durkan told a Rural Press Club breakfast on Thursday, 3 March. Mr Durkan told the crowd of about 90 attendees that lowering the price of milk to $1/litre was just one of thousands price drops Coles had made in recent months. Although dairy industry representatives at the event were sceptical, Mr Durkan denied the drop in retail milk prices would be passed on to farmers. Since Mr Durkan took up his role at Coles almost three years ago, the supermarket chain has undergone something of a revival and has significantly rejuvenated the look and feel of their stores. Click here to read ABC coverage of the event Click here to read Weekly Times coverage Ombudsman investigation into irrigation projects Victoria's Water Minister Peter Walsh announced the state's Ombudsman would investigate the implementation of northern Victorian water savings projects, at a Rural Press Club of Victoria (RPCV) breakfast on Thursday, 3 February. More than 140 people attended the breakfast and heard Minister Walsh, discuss his priorities for the coming year. Minister Walsh, who is also Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, confirmed the Coalition Government would honour its commitment to investigate the projects - including the Food Bowl Modernisation Project. "With the majority of the project yet to be delivered, I believe it is prudent to put the concerns about these projects behind us and determine what can be done to improve their future delivery", he said. Unions have since expressed concern about the investigation, one union representative calling it a "witch hunt". Click here to watch a video of Minister Walsh's address Source: The Weekly Times 2010 Journalism and Photography Awards Gala Dinner Landline reporter named Journalist of the Year Tim Lee, Landline, ABC Television with sponsor Jeremy Bourke from RACV/RoyalAuto and State Minister for Agriculture Joe Helper, MP ABC Television's Tim Lee was named the 2010 Journalist of the Year at the annual Victorian rural and regional journalism photography awards dinner in August, held at the Hilton on the Park, East Melbourne. More than 130 guests attended the awards, which recognise excellence in the state's rural and regional print and electronic media. A reporter for Landline, Tim produced a trio of powerful television programs capturing the way volunteers rushed to help farmers after last year's Black Saturday bushfires. His main focus was a property at Kilmore that attracted helpers from many all over Australia and became a template for the widespread outpouring of support that became known as Blaze Aid. For all results, please go the awards section of the website. RAY FRAWLEY. A tribute delivered by Tim Lee, on behalf of the Rural Press Club of Victoria at the club's annual media awards' night 27th August 2010 In January we were shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden death of our dear friend and one of our club stalwarts, Ray Frawley. Ray's journalistic career spanned 35 years across a range of roles in a range of publications throughout Southern Australia, but lastly and most notably at the Ballarat Courier, the district where he was born and raised and where the Frawley surname is a famous one. In recent years, Ray's role as the paper's rural reporter was clearly one dear to his heart. He did three stints there at what he called the "Ballarat Boomerang." It's my job tonight to try and convey something of a man close to our own hearts. Download Tim's full tribute here Wrong turn, right result for Australian photographer Taking a wrong turn has landed Victorian country photographer Nigel Hallett one of the world's most prestigious awards for rural photography. His photograph of a farmer cooling off while haymaking has been judged the best entry in the 'People' category of the prestigious IFAJ Star Prize Award for Agricultural Photography. Run by the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ), the award this year attracted more than 150 entries from the world's leading rural photographers. Nigel's winning photo was actually the end result of the photographer getting lost when he was sent out on an assignment last November for The Colac Herald. "I was sent out to take the picture and I had bad directions," he said. "I turned through the wrong gate and saw a farmer working in the heat, so went ahead and took the picture of him. "When I returned to work there were a few questions about where I had been. I soon found out I got the wrong farmer - it was his brother," Nigel said. See the image below. Click here to view the media release. Nigel Hallett for his winning entry 'Making hay while the sun shines'