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 encourages debate and discussion and highlights issues affecting rural and regional Australia.
It hosts events and conversations to create opportunities for more informed debate and networking on domestic and global issues which affect Australia’s vital rural industries, especially agriculture.
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).
These associations give the NRPC Australia-wide connections and international standing while enabling journalists who enter our local Awards to go further in achieving reward and recognition.
What we do
The NRPC hosts regular lively events to create opportunities for more informed debate and networking for people who support a stronger and more sustainable future for rural and regional Australia.
Committee
Meet the NRPC team
The NRPC executive and committee live and work in and around Canberra and work together to host events that highlight issues affecting rural and regional Australia.
Kath Sullivan
Acting President
Kath is the ABC’s national rural reporter and has previously worked as a breakfast radio presenter and for the rural newspaper, The Weekly Times.
Sarah Paradice
Treasurer
Sarah works for the Crawford Fund, an organisation that promotes the benefits of Australia’s investment in international agricultural research for global food nutrition security.
Tim Lester
Vice President
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.
Jamieson Murphy
NRPC Committee Member
Jamieson is the national rural affairs reporter for Rural Press, writing for a range of mastheads including the iconic bush bible The Land.
Andrew Henderson
NRPC Committee Member
Andrew runs the consultancy firm, AgSecure, working across agriculture, trade, biosecurity and energy and runs a small mixed farm near Yass with his wife and young family.
Laureta Wallace
NRPC Committee Member
Laureta is the general manager of communications for the Regional Australia Institute and began her media career working for regional newspapers in News South Wales and Western Australia.
Georgie Robertson
NRPC Publicity Consultant
Georgie Robertson runs The Regional PR Co., a creative public relations agency based in Wagga working with a niche portfolio of clients who are creating positive impact for rural and regional communities.
Lucy Barbour
President
Lucy Barbour is the ABC’s national regional affairs reporter and has worked as a political reporter and for flagship news and current affairs programs 730, AM, The World Today and PM.
Simon Troeth
Secretary
Simon is Manager of government and industry relations for Australia’s largest gold miner, Newcrest Mining, and has a career spanning journalism, public service, communications consultancy and politics.