ANNUAL
REPORT
For the year ended
31 December 2013
2
MELBOURNE PRESS CLUB
Contents
President’s Report 2013
Page 3
Treasurer’s Report 2013
Page 4
Events Calendar 2013
Page 5
Board 2013
Page 6
Quill Awards 2013
Page 7-8
MPC Sponsors 2013
Page 9
3
MELBOURNE PRESS CLUB
President’s Report 2013
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The year 2013 was a significant one in the life of the Melbourne Press Club as we built strongly on our commitment
to promote excellence in journalism – as well as Victoria’s rich media heritage - through a range of events and
activities.!
On October 27 some of the finest journalists, photographers, broadcasters and cartoonists in our state’s history were
inducted into the Victorian Media Hall of Fame. They included the first three living Hall of Famers: Rupert Murdoch,
Harry Gordon and Bruce Petty. Legendary columnist Keith Dunstan, who died just weeks before the ceremony, was
inducted posthumously. The sold-out dinner at the State Library of Victoria attracted a who’s who of the Victorian
media and set the stage for next October's third and final foundation dinner. The Hall of Fame is now attracting
significant national interest, thanks to the scope and calibre of the inductees.!
In July, the Club hosted one of its most successful corporate lunches yet, when the CEOs of digital powerhouses
REA Group, Carsales and Seek explained the secrets of their business success to a capacity audience at Crown.!
The Club attracted other high-profile speakers to its 2013 lunches including the recently-appointed News Corp
Australia Chief Executive Julian Clarke, Premier Denis Napthine, Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Gai Waterhouse
and Cricket Australia Chief Executive James Sutherland.!
Media industry-focused events included a highly entertaining and informative panel of Melbourne’s TV news directors
explaining how TV journalism works and how the industry is evolving in the 24/7, digital age.!
As always, the annual Quill Awards night lived up to its reputation as the Club’s flagship event with an array of topquality journalism celebrated by a record attendance of more than 600 people. The Herald-Sun's James Campbell
took home the Gold Quill for his police tapes expose while the Age's Caroline Wilson won the Graham Perkin Award
for her series of stories on the Essendon drugs saga. Recently retired Ten Network newsreader Mal Walden received
a Lifetime Achievement award.
All the Club’s activities were made possible by the continuing support of our loyal sponsors, including principal
sponsor Monash University.!
Special thanks also must go to our hard-working administrative team including Kate Handley, Leanne Lane and Will
Kulich.!
2013 marked the last full year of Mark Baker’s successful presidency of the MPC. He has now moved on to become
the Club’s first Chief Executive Officer, a role that will help foster our growth in the years ahead.!
My thanks also go to the Club’s board members, all of whom volunteer their precious time to help advance our goals
of promoting excellence in journalism. Their work is greatly appreciated.!
The Club is also grateful for the efforts of Gen Brammall, Peter Bartlett, Dermot O’Brien, Duska Sulicich and Kate
McGrath, who all stepped down from the board over the course of the year. Former vice president Peter Bartlett also
stepped down and was honoured with a life membership in recognition of his 13 years' service.!
The new year, 2014, continues to present challenges as the Club moves to strengthen revenues and sponsorships in
the fast-changing and volatile media landscape.!
Now, more than ever, the Melbourne Press Club needs to reinforce its reputation and value as the organisation firmly
committed to standing up for quality journalism.!
Michael Rowland
MPC President
Melbourne Press Club
24 July 2014
4
MELBOURNE PRESS CLUB
Treasurer’s Report 2013
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The Club in 2013 faced continuing financial challenges. In the last two years I have referred to the way in
which ongoing uncertainty about the economy continued to restrict spending on discretionary activities
such as functions and sponsorship. In spite of that trend continuing, we were able to increase revenue,
but at the same time expenses continued to increase.
In response to these challenges the Club already has put in place a number of expense control measures
to address our ongoing financial challenges.
As we noted in our letter to our auditors: 'Subsequent to 31 December 2013 the committee has sought to
improve the financial position through obtaining inflows for membership, sponsorship and events and
continues to seek these opportunities. The entity is solely dependent upon the committees continuing
ability to obtain such contributions and manage expenditures within this constraint.'
Importantly, we have also made a significant appointment, that of our former president, Mark Baker, as
our inaugural CEO on a three days per week basis. This appointment is already bolstering our
sponsorship and other marketing endeavours.
In 2013 our new signature event – the Victorian Media Hall of Fame, was held at The State Library and
was a great success both in terms of the event itself and also financially for the Club. The 2012 Quill
Awards were also very successful.
Our financial report again signals a need for caution. While the Club is fortunate that it has no significant
ongoing financial commitments other than salaries and office expenses, viability very much depends on
securing sufficient sponsorship to meet these commitments. one example of our cautious approach is
our decision to confine prize money at the Quills to a few major categories. We again received very
pleasing ongoing support from our sponsors, in particular our principal sponsor Monash University.
Revenue increased by $43,000 but expenses kept pace, resulting in a similar loss of $36,828 for 2013.
The highlights of financial performance included:
•
•
•
•
Sponsorship receipts for the year declined slightly to $261,629,from the 2012 position of
$279,629;
Membership revenue declined to $ 17317partly due to timing issues – membership remained at a
reasonably steady level;
Revenue from functions increased significantly from $102,266 to $161,797, due in part to the Hall
of Fame event;
The bank balance at the end of 2013 was $34,740.
Our secretariat performed well under difficult circumstances with much credit going to our acting general
manager, Leanne Lane, who filled in for Kate Handley during her maternity leave. We have now
welcomed back Kate on a part-time basis.
We have continued to observe the procedures required by our auditors to ensure that accounting and
association standards are met. I would like to thank our auditors, Pitcher Partners, for their efficient and
timely service.
David Poulton
Treasurer
Melbourne Press Club
24 July 2014
5
MELBOURNE PRESS CLUB
Events Calendar 2013
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CORPORATE LUNCHES
MEDIA LUNCHES
OTHER EVENTS
January
February
March
TV Director’s Panel – 124 ppl
Oaks on Collins
6.3.2013
Quill Awards Dinner – 580 ppl
Crown Palladium
15.3.2013
April
David Galbally lunch – 247 ppl
Crown Palladium
18.4.2013
May
Denis Napthine lunch – 121 ppl
Crown Palladium
17.5.2013
June
July
New Rivers of Gold lunch – 325 ppl
Crown Palladium
25.7.2013
August
Mitchell/Faine lunch – 176 ppl
Crown Palladium
1.8.2013
September
John Bertrand lunch – 85 ppl
Crown River Room
18.9.2013
October
They Hit the Line/Gai Waterhouse
lunch – 83 ppl
17.10.2013
November
Ashes to Bashes – 112 ppl
MCC Members Dining Room, MCG
13.11.2013
December
Antony Catalano lunch –
50 ppl
Metropolitan Hotel
8.5.2013
Russel Howcroft lunch –
62 ppl
Metropolitan Hotel
5.6.2013
Colleen Ryan lunch – 75
ppl
Metropolitan Hotel
10.7.2012
Hall of Fame dinner – 194 ppl
State Library of Victoria
11.10.2013
Julian Clarke lunch – 90
ppl
Metropolitan Hotel
4.12.2013
6
MELBOURNE PRESS CLUB
Board 2013
____________________________________________________________________________________
President:
Mark Baker, Fairfax Media
Vice Presidents:
Michael Rowland, ABC
Toni Hetherington, News Corp
Treasurer:
David Poulton, Minter Ellison
Secretary:
Richard Leder, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Secretariat:
Leanne Lane
Kate Handley
Committee:
Peter Bartlett, Minter Ellison
Eileen Berry, Metro Media Publishing
David Broadbent, Dept of Business and Innovation
Rowan Callick, The Australian
Phil Chubb, Monash University
Rob Curtain, 3AW
Alicia Hall, Project PR
Olivia Hill-Douglas, Network Ten
Bob Kearsley, Business Essentials
Isabelle Oderberg, News Ltd
Pat O’Beirne, Haystac
Justin Quill, Kelly Hazell Quill
Veronica Scott, Minter Ellison
Mike Smith, Inside PR
Gemma Thomas, Nine News
7
MELBOURNE PRESS CLUB
Quill Awards Honour Roll 2013
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The Monash University Gold Quill
James Campbell, Herald Sun
The Graham Perkin Award for the Australian Journalist of the Year
Caroline Wilson, The Age
Lifetime Achievement Award
Mal Walden
Victorian Government Quill for Reporting on Disability Issues
Kirsten Veness, 7.30 - ABC
Young Journalist of the Year Award
Ashlynne McGhee, ABC
RACV Transport Quill
Josh Gordon, The Age
Grant Hattam Quill Award for Investigative Journalism in any Medium
James Campbell, Herald Sun
Keith Dunstan Quill for Best Columnist/Blogger
Caroline Wilson, The Age
Best Sports News Story in any Medium
Damian Barrett, National Nine News
Best Sports Feature in any Medium
Chip Le Grand, The Australian
Best Business Story in any Medium
Adele Furguson & Chris Vedelago, The Age
Best Camerwork
Rohan Wastell, Channel 7
Best News Photograph
Jason Sammon, Herald Sun
Best Sports Photograph
Michael Dodge, Getty Images (published in The Age)
Best Features Photograph
Justin McManus, The Age
Best Three Headlines in any Medium
Adrian Nesbitt, Herald Sun
Best Illustration or Graphics in any Medium
Matthew Davidson, The Age Melbourne Magazinr
Best Coverage of an issue or Event
Richard Baker, Nick McKenzie, Caroline Wilson, Jake Niall & Samantha Lane, The Age
8
Best Cartoon
John Ditchburn, Ballarat Courier
Best Breaking News Coverage
Brendan Roberts, Seven News
Best Use of the Digital or Social Media
Christie Cooper, The Age
Best Suburban Report in Writing
Fiona Sexton, Dana McCauley & Nicole Precel, Port Phillip, Caulfield and Bayside Leaders
Best Regional or Rural Affairs Report in any Medium
Shane Fowles, Greg Dundas, Anthea Cannon, Peter Begg, Geelong Advertiser
Best TV or Video News Report
Daniel Oakes, ABC
Best Radio News Report
Lauren Hilbert, 3AW
Best TV or Video Current Affairs/Feature under 10 Minutes
James Bennett and Simon Winter, 7:30 – ABC
Best TV or Video Current Affairs/Feature over 10 Minutes
Luke Waters, SBS World News
Best Radio Current Affairs Report
Neil Mitchell, 3AW
Best News Report in Writing
Michael Warner, Mark Robinson and Chip Le Grand, The Herald Sun & The Australian
Best Feature in Writing
Jo Chandler, The Global Mail
9
MELBOURNE PRESS CLUB
Sponsors 2013
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MELBOURNE PRESS CLUB
CLUB SPONSORS
PRINCIPAL
PREMIUM
MAJOR MEDIA
MAJOR
CORPORATE
MEPC Sponsors 2013_REVISED.indd 1
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