Rural Press Club of Victoria
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Inaugural Journalism Scholarship

For the first time in its almost 60-year-history, the Rural Press Club of Victoria is offering a scholarship to a journalist or photographer who lives and works in regional and rural Victoria. This will allow them to undertake a study tour that will elevate regional journalism by covering an interstate or international issue or event, or attending a conference for professional development.

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Eligibility

The recipient must be a journalist or photographer currently working in regional and rural Victoria and hold a valid passport to travel abroad.

Entry Requirements

  1. Applicants must be current RPCV members.
  2. A written submission accompanied by a letter of support from an editor or employer, submitted via the RPCV website form. Freelancers can use a referee from a former employer or commissioning outlet.
  3. Short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview with members of the RPCV Committee judging panel to present their proposal. The 5–10-minute pitch will outline what their proposal involves, how it benefits rural and regional media, what they intend to publish from the trip and cost estimates.
  4. The study tour must be undertaken before 1 October 2026.
  5. Proof of valid passport.
  6. The bursary is open to all journalists and photographers who live and work in regional and rural Victoria, excluding members of the current RPCV committee.

Judging Criteria

  1. An RPCV judging panel comprising members of the committee will judge the entries. 
  2. The winner will be chosen for the relevance of the pitch, and its potential to benefit rural and regional media in Victoria. 

Further Information

Please contact:

Bryce Eishold
bryce.eishold@austcommunitymedia.com.au
0458 588 449

FAQs

The winning journalist or photographer will have their flights, accommodation, all agenda items including a daily meal allowance, land transportation related to the program and event entry covered up to the value of $6000.

Extensions or personal/work travel unrelated to the RPCV application. This includes additional costs incurred by additional travellers who are non-participants of the program. No other expenses will be covered outside of the central program costs involved. Most meals will be covered by the program, but alcohol will not be funded.

A study tour could include:

  • Attendance at a conference – e.g., International Federation of Agricultural Journalists’ Annual Congress in Nairobi, International Journalism Festival in Perugia, or Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Malaysia.
  • An internship/secondment opportunity. Use your/your employers contacts to organise an internship or secondment in an international newsroom where you feel you can learn important lessons to be put into practice in Victoria.
  • An important story opportunity. Is there a story you’ve been dying to prepare, that requires overseas travel?
  • Have a unique idea? Pitch it to us.

  • The scholarship recipient will be required to submit a 500-word perspective piece on their experience, with photographs, to be published on the RPCV website, and distributed via media release.
  • The participant will attend and present at the 2026 Rural Press Club of Victoria Young Journalist Forum to be held in 2026.

Journalists and photographers can apply to the RPCV by either using a visual or written format.  

For each question (unless specified) please do not exceed 500 words if submitted in written format or exceed 180 seconds if submitted via speech or video format. Entries close August 30. 

  1. Quick self-introduction (do not exceed 200 words written/60 seconds spoken)
  2. What prompted you to apply for the RPCV study tour?
  3. What specific skills would you particularly like to develop whilst on tour?
  4. How might the study tour help you develop the future of news (for your organisation)? 
Powercor Australia - Essential as
Worksafe Victoria
89 Degrees East
Nutrien Ag Solutions
Transport Accident Commission
Agriculture Victoria
Commonwealth Bank
Currie Communications
Stock & Land
The Weekly Times
Marcus Oldham
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country where we work throughout Victoria and Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.