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The flagship annual awards program, held each February in Brisbane. The QRMA recognises Queensland’s most outstanding journalists, photographers and digital producers for excellence in covering rural and regional stories, and is one of the most prestigious accolades for rural media professionals in the state. Awards are branded by the calendar year of the eligible work (e.g. the “2025 awards” recognise work published in 2025 and are presented in February 2026).
Celebrating Excellence in Rural Storytelling
The Rural Press Club of Queensland has championed outstanding rural journalism for more than five decades. Our awards and scholarship recognise the reporters, photographers and digital storytellers who keep rural and regional Queensland’s voice alive — and support the next generation entering the field.
Award Programs
1. Queensland Rural Media Awards (QRMA)
Nomination Forms
2. Queensland Clarion Awards — Excellence in Rural Journalism
The Queensland Clarion Awards are run annually by the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) and recognise excellence across Queensland journalism, including a rural journalism category. The Clarions are a separate program to the QRMA and open to a broader pool of entrants.
The RPC no longer sponsors the rural journalism category of the Clarion Awards. RPC members and rural journalists are, however, warmly encouraged to enter directly — the category remains an important platform for lifting the profile of rural reporting across all Queensland media.
Key Details
- Nominations close: 14 July 2026
- Presentations: Awards dinner, October 2026
- Entry info, categories & T&Cs: MEAA website, or contact mediaawards@meaa.org
- Historic highlights — 2020 rural journalism winner: Sarah Elks, ‘The Grosvenor investigation’ (described by judges as a showcase of journalism at its finest). ABC Landline’s Pip Courtney has also won the Queensland Clarion Award for rural journalism
3. Queensland Rural Journalism Student Scholarship
Each year the RPC supports one university student to pursue a career in rural and agricultural media. The scholarship provides a $5,000 cash award — free to be used by the recipient as they choose — together with the opportunity to network with and learn from Queensland’s leading rural journalists. The recipient is invited to attend RPC events throughout the year, with the opportunity to interview event speakers and prepare articles for publication on the RPC website.
Eligibility Criteria
- Currently enrolled in a journalism or communication course at a Queensland university
- Able to demonstrate prior involvement, commitment, understanding and/or a genuine interest in Queensland’s rural and regional communities
- A passion for, and motivation to transition to, a career in rural journalism upon graduation
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident, aged 25 years or under
How to Apply
Applications are submitted electronically and must include:
- A single-page CV
- A 200-word statement on ‘Why you are a worthy recipient of the RPC Student Scholarship’
- Five (5) news articles (on topics of the applicant’s choosing) published in the preceding two years
The RPC Selection Committee’s decision is final.
4. Rural Journalism Hall of Fame
The RPC Hall of Fame honours individuals who have made an outstanding and enduring contribution to rural journalism in Queensland and Australia. Inductees are recognised for careers of excellence, integrity and dedication to rural storytelling. Established by the RPC in 2010, the Hall of Fame is also maintained as a permanent exhibit at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame in Longreach, Queensland — commissioned during Brendan Telfer’s presidential tenure.
