About us
Who are we?
The NRPC was first formed in the mid-1990s and after a period of hiatus was reinvigorated in 2016 as a club that facilitates debate and discussion about the issues affecting rural and regional Australia.
The NRPC is located in Canberra and is affiliated with the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists (ACAJ), which in turn is an active member of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ).
What we do
The NRPC aims to bring like-minded journalists and professionals together, with networking events and other forums in Canberra, to promote debate and discussion on matters of common policy interest to regional Australians.
Committee
Meet the NRPC team
Immediate Past President
Gabrielle Chan
Immediate Past President
Gabrielle Chan is a journalist, columnist and author. Most recently, she was rural and regional editor of Guardian Australia. She has also worked for News Ltd and the ABC. Gabrielle is the author of Rusted Off: Why Country Australia Is Fed Up (2018), which was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Prize and the Walkleys Book Award. Her latest book is Why You Should Give a F**k About Farming (2021).
NRPC Committee
Colin Bettles
President
Colin is a founding President and Life Member of the NRPC, and former Press Gallery journalist for Fairfax Agricultural Media/Rural Press and freelance reporter.
Tim Lester
Vice President & Treasurer
Tim is the senior policy manager for the Australian Forest Products Association and has worked in natural resource management, sustainable agriculture, animal welfare, biosecurity and rural innovation.
Mike Foley
NRPC Committee Member
Mike is the climate change, environment and energy correspondent for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald and was previously the national political reporter for Rural Press.
Rob Harris
NRPC Committee Member
Rob has had an extensive career in media including as national affairs reporter with the Weekly Times. He is currently National Correspondent at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald and is also a former Shepparton News sports editor.
Andrew Whitelaw
NRPC Committee Member
Andrew is Market Insights and Strategy Director at Australian Community Media, where he leads Episode3, providing independent analysis and insights on agricultural markets. Over a 20-year career, he has grown several recognised brands in the market intelligence and agricultural information space, including Mecardo, Thomas Elder Markets and AgWatchers. He contributes regular columns and analysis to major media outlets and is frequently sought for commentary on market and policy issues in Australia and overseas.
Jason Gregory
NRPC Committee Member
Jason is the National Affairs Writer for Australian Community Media covering federal politics, agri-politics and life in the regions. He has won several Clarion Awards, including best news report, the 2025 Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists Star Prize and two National Rural Press Club awards.