Finalists announced for the 2026 Rural and Regional Journalism and Photography Awards

ABC Goulburn Murray, Geelong Advertiser, The Courier | Ballarat, Warragul & Drouin Gazette and Wimmera Mail-Times will vie for the prestigious Media Outlet of the Year title at this year’s Rural Press Club of Victoria Rural & Regional Journalism and Photography Awards.

The Rural Press Club of Victoria (RPCV) has announced the finalists in the five major categories ahead of the Rural and Regional Journalism and Photography Awards night to be held in Melbourne on Friday, 4th September.

The awards night, at the Melbourne Town Hall Swanston Room will recognise the best work of rural and regional Victorian journalists and photographers during 2025–26.

The dress code for this year’s event is “country glam”, so it’s time to dust off your finest in preparation for the gala evening.

Hurry, tickets are strictly available until Thursday, 20th August.

Major award finalists – listed in alphabetical order

Media Outlet of the Year

• ABC Goulburn Murray
• Geelong Advertiser
• The Courier | Ballarat
• The Warragul & Drouin Gazette
• The Wimmera Mail-Times

Journalist of the Year

• Bree Harding – Shepparton News
• Ben Silvester – Australian Community Media
• Erin Somerville – ABC Goulburn Murray
• Harrison Tippet – ABC Geelong
• Dale Webster – The Regional

Ray Frawley Young Journalist of the Year

• Olivia Conder – Geelong Advertiser
• Ella Power-Bridger – WIN News
• Faith Tabalujan – ABC Rural
• Coco Veldkamp – ABC Ballarat
• Chelsea Wilson – The Border Mail

Canon Photographer of the Year

• Lachlan Bence – The Courier, Ballarat
• Paul Carracher – The Weekly Advertiser
• Chris Earl – Loddon Herald
• Darren Howe – Bendigo Advertiser
• Rechelle Zammit – Shepparton News

Community Champion Journalist Award

• Tamara Clark – ABC Wimmera
• Matt Elliott – Sunraysia Daily
• Jessica Greenan – The Standard, Warrnambool
• Rachael Lucas – ABC Gippsland
• Nick Powell – The Courier, Ballarat

Finalists in a further 11 categories will be announced tomorrow (Wednesday).