ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 / 20 WHO WE ARE MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

The Press Club has been a key part of media community for half a century. Our mission It is my pleasure to have joined the Melbourne Press Club as CEO is to celebrate excellence in journalism, promote the value of quality journalism in a modern democracy, provide in April 2020. This club has a long and proud record of celebrating forums for discussion of issues in the news and encourage fellowship amongst media people. and supporting the very best in Victorian and Australian journalism. Established in 1971, the Club is a forum where journalists, communications industry people and At this challenging time when the consumption of news media is at professionals in related fields can hear from the country’s most senior politicians, business leaders and an all-time high and yet media organisations are closing, we look other newsmakers, and liaise on issues such as professional development and media freedom. Speakers forward to continuing the club’s vital work. Whilst the immediate at the Club’s monthly lunches have included Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, journalists, prime ministers, future may see us change our delivery methods, the essence of premiers, authors, sports heroes and top business executives. what we do remains the same: to provide a forum for journalists to Each year the Club hosts Victoria’s most prestigious media awards, the Quills, and presents the annual listen, to speak, to learn and to be recognised. Graham Perkin Australian Journalist of the Year and Harry Gordon Australian Sports Journalist of the The past year has been a busy period in the club’s life. In early Year Awards. The Club also bestows an annual Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, the club has March 2020 we hosted the annual Quills gala dinner. For the first built the Australian Media Hall of Fame to honour the country’s greatest reporters, editors, broadcasters, time in the club’s history a photographer – Michael Willson of commentators, photographers and cartoonists. AFL media – took home the Gold prize, and ABC journalist Anne Our range of activities have further expanded to include the Michael Gordon Journalism Fellowships, Connolly was recognized as the 44th Graham Perkin Australian supporting social justice journalism projects around the country. We also run a number of initiatives for Journalist of the Year. The club introduced a new Victorian student and early-career journalists, including The Edit forum series and an industry mentoring program. government-sponsored Quill encouraging nuanced reporting on cultural diversity. In addition to our regular media lunches throughout 2019, we ran a successful season of The Edit forum for student and early-career GOVERNANCE journalists and established the fourth round of our mentoring program, supporting journalists across organisations to share their CEO BOARD experiences and develop skills together. Cathy Bryson Mark Baker Inside Story The club also finalised the establishment of a public fund with DGR status, to expand opportunities to support Victorian and Australian INTERIM PRESIDENT Patrick Considine Minter Ellison journalism into the future. Eileen Berry Eileen Berry Trust Rob Curtain Media Consultant In highlighting these achievements, a number of thanks are in order. We thank Mark Baker for his years of service to the club as a board VICE PRESIDENT Nicole Denton VicRoads member, president and CEO. We thank past presidents Michael Ashlynne McGhee ABC Rachael Dexter The Age Rowland and Adele Ferguson for their profound contributions over many years, as well as Eileen Berry for guiding the club as acting TREASURER Jude Donnelly AFL CEO in recent months. Veronica Scott KPMG Heather Loomes Network Ten It would be remiss of me if I didn't also acknowledge the continuing support from principal sponsors Monash University and Virgin Kate McGrath 9 News SECRETARY Australia as well as our media and corporate sponsors, who enable Richard Leder Corrs Chambers Westgarth Shaun Menegola us to continue our work. Cathy Bryson, Chief Executive Officer SECRETARIAT Heidi Murphy 3AW Kate Handley General Manager Patrick O’Beirne Six O’Clock Advisory Anna Marulli Office Manager Justin Quill Macpherson Kelly Lawyers From top: ACTU secretary Sally McManus at a club address; David Fisher Assistant Manager Treasurer Tim Pallas gives his annual budget address; Will Kulich Digital Producer Tom Salom News Corp Ross Garnaut with MPC vice president Ashlynne McGhee; Debbie Slater Accountant new CEO Cathy Bryson. CONNECT WITH US HOW TO JOIN

ADDRESS Level 19, 525 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000 POSTAL ADDRESS GPO Box 769, Melbourne 3001 Membership of the Melbourne Press Club is open to everyone with an interest in the media. P + 61 3 9614 2779 E [email protected] W melbournepressclub.com Annual membership is $85 for journalist members, $110 for associate members and $40 for students. You can find the Melbourne Press Club on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn. Apply online at www.melbournepressclub.com

PAGE 2 PAGE 3 A YEAR IN REVIEW MPC INITIATIVES

THE QUILL AWARDS OUR WORK WITH EARLY CAREER JOURNALISTS The Quill Awards for excellence in Victoria journalism are the The Edit forum for student and early-career journalists premier media awards in Victoria and the biggest night of the hosted another series of outstanding events in 2019. year for Melbourne Media. Highlights included panels on encryption and the law and data journalism, as well as special guests Cameron Stewart and In March 2020, the judges awarded the 2019 Gold Quill to Alex Ellinghausen. The Mentoring program entered its fourth Michael Willson of AFL Media for The Kick, the first time a year with fifteen mentoring pairs from across the Victorian photographer has won the prize. The judges said “this is media industry. a photo for the ages, [one] that turned the tide of public The club’s initiatives for early-career journalists are commentary on women’s football, women in sport generally, generously supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund. and attitudes to women across society.” THE GRAHAM PERKIN CHINA EXCHANGE COLLABORATION AUSTRALIAN JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR In collaboration with the Asia Pacific Journalism Centre, ABC journalist Anne Connolly was announced as the 44th the Melbourne Press Club sent five journalists from around Graham Perkin Australian Journalist of the Year, one of the the country to China in November 2019 for a study program highest honours in journalism around the country. The judges exploring recent developments in clean energy technology. praised her impactful reporting on the aged care sector, and The group met with government officials, business leaders, her deep commitment to the subject, saying “her tenacity and academics and news media in Shanghai, Qingdao and Beijing. fearlessness are in the true Graham Perkin tradition”. The group was led by Mark Baker, former club CEO and previously a China correspondent. THE HARRY GORDON AUSTRALIAN SPORTS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR IFTAR DISCUSSION Now in its fifth year, the Gordon award recognises excellence In collaboration with the Australian Intercultural Society, in sports journalism across all codes and all regions of the Melbourne Press Club hosted a forum discussion over Australia. It is named in memory of Harry Gordon, one of the an Iftar dinner in April 2019 discussing the rise of right-wing greatest war correspondents, sports writers and newspaper extremism and the role of media in meeting this challenge. editors of his generation. The special panel featured Tasneem Chopra, Greg Barton and Ahmed Hassan, and was moderated by Sushi Das. Konrad Marshall of Good Weekend magazine took home the 2019 prize for a series of memorable and beautifully crafted THE AUSTRALIAN MEDIA HALL OF FAME sports features. The Australian Media Hall of Fame, founded in 2011, comprises THE MPC LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD reporters, editors, broadcasters, photographers, cartoonists and commentators who have made a significant contribution Long-time Seven Network sports commentator Bruce to the development of Australian media. In highlighting the McAvaney was honoured as the 2019 Melbourne Press Club work of their work, we seek to show the vital importance of Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, giving a heartfelt strong and independent journalism to Australian society, speech to a captivated audience. past and present. The Melbourne Press Club hosts regular Fellow sport commentator introduced induction dinners and exhibitions showcasing the work of McAvaney to the stage, calling him “the voice of Australian inductees. Visit mediahalloffame.com.au for details. sports since the 1990s.”

From top: Alex Ellinghausen at The Edit; From top: Michael Willson accepting the Gold Quill; Perkin 2019 China exchange fellows in Shanghai; prize winner Anne Connolly; Gordon prize winner Konrad Iftar forum panelists; Marshall; LTAA Bruce McAvaney and Dennis Cometti. Australian Media Hall of Fame.

PAGE 4 PAGE 5 THE MICHAEL GORDON FELLOWSHIPS ROLLS OF HONOUR

Now in its second round, the Michael Gordon LIFE MEMBERS Claude Forell Ian Henderson Laurie Oakes Mike Smith Sally White Fellowships is a program that enables social justice Mark Baker Adele Ferguson Sue Henderson David Poulton Bernard Teague journalism around the country. Annual grants Peter Bartlett Steve Harris Bob Kearsley Mike Richards John Trevorrow totalling totalling $30,000 were made in 2019 to Jim Clarke Pat Hayes Neil Mitchell Michael Rowland Michael Venus fund reporting projects in areas such as Indigenous LIFETIME 2014 Derryn Hinch 2008 William Ellis 2003 Claude Forell affairs, migration policy, human rights and ACHIEVEMENT AWARD international development. 2013 Mal Walden Green (WEG) 2002 Harry Gordon 2019 Bruce McAvaney 2012 Dulcie Boling 2007 Michelle Grattan 2001 John Sorell The program is named in honour of Michael Gordon, 2018 Barrie Cassidy 2011 John Hamilton & Laurie Oakes 2000 Peter Game the respected former Age political editor who died 2017 Robert 2010 Geoff 2006 Bruce Postle 1999 Les Tanner suddenly in February 2018. Gottliebsen Wilkinson & John Lamb 1998 Peter McFarline 2016 Niki Savva 2009 Bruce Petty 2005 John Fitzgerald 1995 Keith Dunstan 2015 Mike Sheahan 2008 Geoff Hook 2004 Les Carlyon

GOLD QUILL WINNERS 2007 Heather Ewart ABC, Australian Story 2019 Michael Willson AFL Media 2006 Brendan Donohoe 2018 Anthony Dowsley & Patrick Carlyon 2005 Martine Griffiths Network Ten 2017 The Fairfax Media and ABC Team 2004 Belinda Hawkins ABC, Australian Story 2016 Louise Milligan & Andy Burns ABC 7.30 2003 Julie-Anne Davies & Steve Waldon The Age 2015 Adele Ferguson The Age/Four Corners 2002 Terry McCrann Herald Sun & The Australian 2014 Adele Ferguson The Age/Four Corners 2001 Andrew Rule The Age 2013 James Campbell Herald Sun 2000 Andrew Probyn & Michael Harvey The Herald Sun 2012 Sarah Ferguson & Deb Masters ABC Four Corners 1999 Julie-Anne Davies The Age 2011 Nick McKenzie, Maris Beck 1998 Andrew Rule The Age & Tom McKendrick The Age 1997 John Schauble The Age 2010 Jill Baker Herald Sun 1996 Sarah Henderson ABC, 7.30 Report 2009 Cameron Stewart The Australian 1995 Terry McCrann Herald Sun 2008 Richard Baker & Nick McKenzie The Age Clockwise from bottom right, images by: 2019 fellow Else Kennedy (for The Citizen and NITV); 2018 fellow Grace Jennings-Edquist (for ABC Life); 2018 fellow Jack Banister (for The Citizen & The Guardian). THE GRAHAM PERKIN 1997 Paul McGeough The Sydney Morning Herald AUSTRALIAN JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR 1996 Andrew Rule The Age 2019 Anne Connolly ABC 1995 Rowan Callick The Australian Financial Review 2018 Anthony Dowsley Herald Sun 1994 Kate Legge The Australian THE MPC PUBLIC FUND 2017 Nick McKenzie and Richard Baker The Age 1993 Les Carlyon 2016 Caro Meldrum-Hanna ABC Four Corners 1992 Colleen Ryan The Sydney Morning Herald 2015 Adele Ferguson The Age/ABC Four Corners 1991 Robert Haupt The Age and For almost half a century, the Melbourne Press 2014 Chris Reason Seven News The Sydney Morning Herald Club has been supporting and celebrating great 2013 Caroline Wilson The Age 1990 Paul Kelly The Australian journalism in Victoria and throughout Australia. 2012 Joanne McCarthy The Newcastle Herald 1989 Peter Ellingsen The Age More than ever, we are playing a vital role 2011 Neil Mitchell 3AW and Herald Sun 1988 Michelle Grattan The Age defending the importance of a free and diverse 2010 Laurie Oakes , 1987 Terry McCrann The Age and media to the health of our democracy. Herald Sun and Daily Telegraph The Herald, Melbourne 2009 Gary Hughes The Australian 1986 Bruce Dover The Herald, Melbourne Now we are seeking your help to maintain and 2008 Cameron Stewart The Australian and Cameron Forbes The Age expand our programs to enable quality journalism 2007 John Silvester The Age 1985 Jack Waterford The Canberra Times and develop the next generation of journalists. 2006 Tony Koch The Australian 1984 Creighton Burns The Age The Melbourne Press Club Public Fund has been 2005 Michael Gordon The Age 1983 Evan Whitton The Sydney Morning Herald approved to accept tax-deductible donations of 2004 Paul McGeough The Sydney Morning Herald 1982 Peter Smark The Age and The Age 1981 Norman Aisbett and David Tanner $2 and above. 2003 Peter Wilson The Australian The West Australian Gifts to our Public Fund will be used to offer 2002 John Spooner The Age 1980 Ron Saw The Bulletin fellowships – such as our new Michael Gordon 2001 Andrew Rule The Age 1979 Peter Rodgers The Sydney Moring Herald Fellowships for social justice journalism – 2000 Paul Toohey The Australian 1978 Lenore Nicklin The Sydney Morning Herald 1999 John Lyons The Bulletin 1977 Robert Gottiebsen scholarships and grants. Visit our website 1998 Pamela Williams The Australian Financial Review for details. The Australian Financial Review 1976 Denis Butler The Newcastle Herald

PAGE 6 PAGE 7 Sponsorship enquiries now welcome. Please contact CEO Cathy Bryson at [email protected]