The magnificent Melbourne Town Hall has been revealed as the location for the 2026 Rural Press Club of Victoria (RPCV) journalism and photography awards.
In its 60th year, RPCV will bring together 150 members of the regional Victorian media industry from across the state to celebrate the best of our work at the annual awards event on Friday, September 4, at the Swanston Room of the heritage-listed town hall.
The grand civic building in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD has played host to Royal visits and musical stars over its 150-year history.
Rural Press Club of Victoria president Kellie Lazzaro said the central location would enable guests to make the most of accessible public transport, with V/Line services from nearby Flinders Street.
“In the past four years, we’ve taken the awards on the road to Ballarat, Geelong, Bendigo and Warragul and in our milestone 60th year, we have decided to host the event in Melbourne,” Ms Lazzaro said.
“With plans locked in early, we’re hoping our you will save the date, and start looking back at your journalism and photography work to prepare your entries.”
Last year, more than 120 people attended the annual awards ceremony in Warragul where ABC Gippsland was announced as the Media Outlet of the Year – sponsored by Powercor.
Central Victorian photographer Darren Howe at the Bendigo Advertiser was crowned Photographer of the Year, sponsored by Agriculture Victoria, while Chris Earl at the Loddon Herald was awarded Journalist of the Year, sponsored by 89 Degrees East.
ABC Ballarat journalist Charlotte Wilkes was named the Ray Frawley Young Journalist of the Year, sponsored by WorkSafe.
Membership to the Rural Press Club of Victoria is available to working journalists across regional Victoria at an annual cost of $50. Become a member.
Further details about the award categories and judging criteria will be available on the Rural Press Club of Victoria website when entries and ticket sales open in July.
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