&geometry(355x80) "Rural Press Club of Queensland")
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.
Club President Phillip Bate represents Australia at Asian Council of Agricultural Journalists conferences, taking Queensland's rural press to the region.
Revived by a dedicated core group, beginning a new era of growth that brings agribusiness, government and public relations professionals to the table.
Rural Journalism Hall of Fame established, with the late Malcolm McCosker of Queensland Country Life its inaugural inductee.
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
Arlie Felton-Taylor is an award-winning journalist, communicator, and emcee with a deep passion for rural and regional Australia. She grew up on sheep and cattle properties across western and central Queensland, attended the School of the Air and distance education, and later studied at the University of Queensland. Over more than two decades, Arlie reported for ABC’s Queensland Country Hour, including several years as co-host, and contributed to Beef TV at Beef Australia 2024, which was nominated for a Queensland Clarion Award. In 2009, she received the IFAJ Young Journalist Award, part of a prize awarded by the Rural Press Club of Queensland. Living on a small farm south-west of Toowoomba with her family, Arlie is entering her fourth year on the RPCQ committee and, as President, is focused on connecting and supporting Queensland’s rural media and agribusiness communities.
Rob Hart founded and runs seven agricultural property funds through Upscale Farmland Funds, with a focus on making traditional agriculture more climate resilient and investable. He is also Executive Chair of Upscale Carbon, a carbon credit developer helping landholders gain their own ACCUs. Rob’s background includes leadership roles with Shell, Flight Centre, Origin, Nutrien, and Norco. He also runs a family Angus grazing and hay business in Chinchilla, bringing direct production experience to the committee.
Fran Becker is an agribusiness lawyer whose practice focuses on advising private clients, families, and high-net-worth individuals on tax, commercial, and succession law matters. She was recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a Rising Star for succession law in Australia. Fran’s strong connection to rural and regional Australia stems from growing up in Central Queensland, and she brings practical legal insight and regional perspective to the committee.
Simon Thurbin has 30 years of banking experience in Australia and the UK and is passionate about supporting businesses in regional Queensland. Since joining Westpac in 2007, Simon has held several agribusiness roles, including Director of Agricultural Commodities Trading in Sydney, before returning to Queensland in 2015 to manage an agribusiness portfolio on the Western Downs. He is now Regional General Manager Southern Queensland for Regional and Agribusiness, based in Toowoomba. Prior to Westpac, Simon managed commodity and currency risk for Queensland Cotton after emigrating from the UK in 2002.
Carolyn Martin is Communications Manager for the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation at the University of Queensland. She began her journalism career reporting for Queensland Country Life and ABC radio from Rockhampton before moving into agricultural communications roles with the Cattlemen’s Union, AgForce, Meat and Livestock Australia, Livecorp, Sugar Research Australia, and the Cotton Research and Development Corporation. Carolyn’s rural upbringing and strong commitment to Australian agriculture have underpinned a career promoting the value of farmers and regional industries. She is also RPC’s awards coordinator for the Queensland Rural Media Awards, Secretary of the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists, and a member of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists.
Phillip Kelly grew up on his family’s mixed farm in northern New South Wales and has spent more than 32 years in agribusiness, including 18 years living and working across Queensland communities from Longreach to Dalby. He has deep experience in sales, marketing, and finance and is a strong advocate for rural and regional communities. Phillip is committed to supporting the next generation into agricultural careers, helping bridge the country–city divide, and sharing positive stories from the bush. He is an Agribusiness Transactions and Investment Specialist with Elders Real Estate QLD/NT, an AgForce Advisory Committee member, an Australian Rural Leadership Foundation alumnus, and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent a decade working across metropolitan, regional, and rural publications in Queensland and New South Wales. For the past four years she has been editor of Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register. Lucy is a former two-time Queensland Rural Press Club print winner and NSW Farm Writers print winner, achievements that took her to IFAJ conferences in the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands. In 2023 she won the inaugural Queensland Young Rural Journalist of the Year. After beginning her career as a crime reporter at the Gold Coast Bulletin, Lucy’s professional focus is now firmly on Queensland agriculture.
Paul Larter is Executive Director of Queensland corporate communications consultancy Three Plus. He advises business leaders across a range of industries and has extensive experience in strategic communications, media relations, government relations, crisis and issues management, and stakeholder engagement. His career spans the energy sector, politics, and journalism, including a decade as a senior journalist with The Times of London and as a media adviser in Westminster. Since returning to Australia, Paul has led teams through complex, high-profile communication and social licence challenges. Originally from Ipswich, he began his career in rural and regional newspapers in Queensland and New South Wales and remains a strong supporter of local journalism, regional communities, and the agribusiness sector.
Andrew Loughnan brings more than 15 years of experience as a Certified Practising Valuer and licensed real estate agent, with a strong connection to Queensland’s agricultural heartland. He has built a trusted reputation working across broadacre farms, grazing properties, and agribusiness enterprises, advising farmers, investors, and industry stakeholders on market trends, land use, and major rural transactions. Passionate about supporting regional communities and sustainable land management, Andrew contributes to initiatives that strengthen rural economies. His commitment to bridging the gap between producers and broader audiences aligns closely with the Rural Press Club’s mission.
Cathie Schnitzerling is the Executive Producer of Landline, the ABC’s national regional and agricultural program. Hailing from Thargomindah, she was Landline’s first presenter in 1991 and later returned to lead the program after a distinguished career in senior editorial and leadership roles in television and government. She also regularly presents on ABC Radio Brisbane and brings significant editorial leadership and rural media credibility to the committee.
Inga Miles is the Rural Press Club of Queensland’s Administration and Events Coordinator, supporting the Club through SAS Group. With almost 25 years’ experience in not-for-profit and corporate environments, she specialises in stakeholder engagement, community programs and getting complex work over the line. Inga manages member and sponsor enquiries, event logistics and the Club’s day-to-day administration, and is the person who helps turn committee plans into well-run lunches, breakfasts and awards.
