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50+ Years Connecting Rural Queensland

Founded in 1972 by rural journalists as a forum for the bush, the Rural Press Club of Queensland has grown into the state's most important agribusiness network — where rural media, public relations, agriculture, business, and government meet.

The Rural Press Club of Queensland is a dynamic, not-for-profit association established over 50 years ago. It is the essential forum for anyone whose professional life touches Queensland's rural industries — whether you are a journalist covering a flooding event, a PR professional representing an agricultural brand, an agribusiness leader seeking industry intelligence, or a government official engaging with regional stakeholders.

We create the conversations that shape rural Queensland's future — through expert monthly events, rigorous recognition of rural journalism excellence, and genuine connections built over decades.

The Club is an apolitical, not-for-profit organisation incorporated in Queensland and governed by an elected Executive Committee and its own constitution.

Our Mission & Values

Apolitical

RPC provides a neutral, welcoming forum. We do not take political positions. We bring all sides of rural Queensland's conversations together.

Member-Driven

Governed entirely by a volunteer Executive Committee elected annually by members. Every initiative reflects what members need.

Championing Rural Voices

We exist to celebrate, support, and sustain the journalists and communicators who keep rural Queensland's stories alive.

Quality & Respect

Our events are professionally managed, our speakers are authoritative, and our community is welcoming to all levels of experience.

Our Story — Timeline Highlights

1972

Founded in Brisbane on 28 July by Queensland's agricultural journalists as a forum to debate and discuss the issues that matter to the bush.

1980s

Club President Phillip Bate represents Australia at Asian Council of Agricultural Journalists conferences, taking Queensland's rural press to the region.

2000

Revived by a dedicated core group, beginning a new era of growth that brings agribusiness, government and public relations professionals to the table.

2010

Rural Journalism Hall of Fame established, with the late Malcolm McCosker of Queensland Country Life its inaugural inductee.

2014

Hall of Fame exhibit, built around the Club's iconic windmill, permanently installed at the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame in Longreach.

2015

The 'Boot the Drought' ball — the Club's first event at Parliament House — raises $40,000 for rural charities.

2023

Fifty years celebrated with a long lunch for around 400 guests at Brisbane City Hall, featuring ABC Landline's Pip Courtney and author Trent Dalton.

2026

A new brand identity and website. The Club's new logo has been redesigned to honour more than five decades of heritage while presenting a contemporary identity for the future.

At its centre is a stylised windmill — a modern interpretation of the symbol that featured in the Club's previous logo and still stands in our Hall of Fame exhibit at Longreach. It is a subtle nod to Queensland's agricultural heritage and to the rural communities at the heart of everything the Club does.

Look a little closer and the windmill tells a second story. Its blades are pen nibs coming together at a single point — honouring the rural journalists who founded the Club in 1972, and the words and dialogue shared by the industry professionals who have gathered around its table ever since.

Where the bush talks business
1972
1980s
2000
2010
2014
2015
2023
2026

Affiliations

The RPC is proud to be affiliated with:

50+ years connecting the people who shape Queensland agriculture

Connecting Rural Queensland - Events. Awards. Community. Since 1972

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Contact

GPO Box 2821,
Brisbane, QLD 4001
07 3221 9222
rpcadmin@ruralpressclub.com.au
Copyright © 2026 Rural Press Club of Queensland