Welcome to Farm Writers

Farm Writers Christmas Lunch

Tuesday 2 December

Farm Writers celebrated the festive season with members and guests at Parliament House with our Patron, the Minister for Agriculture and Western New South Wales, the Hon Tara Moriarty MLC. 

Special guests Matt Dalgleish and Andrew Whitelaw from Episode 3 wrapped up the year and looked into the crystal ball to see what’s in store for agriculture in 2026. We also heard from the winners of our 2025 Star Prize journalism awards, both from ABC Rural. 

Amelia Bernasconi's story on Landline, Weeds to Energy, won the broadcast award, while Kath Sullivan won the rural writing award for her story The world is drinking less wine, and decades-old vines are being torn up.

There was also a big announcement: In 2026, Farm Writers will be reborn as the New South Wales Rural Press Club.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the "Farmwriters’ and Broadcasters’ Association" in NSW, the organisation which went on to become the "Farm Writers’ Association of NSW Inc." is planning to re-brand itself once again.

The decision follows a review of Farm Writers’ goals and objectives, and aims to set up the organisation to remain the premier networking and thought leadership platform for rural storytellers and the agribusiness sector long into the future.

The new name also comes with a fresh, new logo that honours the long-standing connection to the Association with the quill, set against a stylised background in the shape of NSW (see below, with the recently elected committee).

The name change will be formalised at a Special General Meeting in early 2026, before a big year of events to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of this unique organisation.

Patron's message

As we wrap up the year and start saying our farewells to the name "Farm Writers' Association of NSW", here's a reminder of what we do and why it's important, from our Patron, the Minister for Agriculture and Western New South Wales, the Hon Tara Moriarty MLC.