MPC elects new president

Senior Fairfax business journalist Adele Ferguson is the new president of the Melbourne Press Club. 

She was elected unanimously by the MPC board after ABC presenter Michael Rowland decided to step down after four years as president. 

Adele Ferguson is a multi-award winning business writer, investigative journalist and columnist for The AgeThe Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian Financial Review.  

She was the 2015 Graham Perkin Australian Journalist of the Year, won the Gold Walkley in 2014 and took the MPC’s Gold Quill for journalistic excellence in both 2014 and 2015. 

Michael Rowland, who will remain on the board as a vice president, welcomed the changing of the guard. 

“After four busy and enjoyable years in the job, I’d like to thank my fellow board members for their continued support and encouragement in what has been a tremendously successful growth period for the Club,” he said. 

Adele Ferguson praised Michael for his great work as president and said she was looking forward to working with the board, CEO Mark Baker and other club staff.  

“It's a great honour to become president of a club that has been around for 46 years and, despite the turbulence of the media industry, has gone from strength to strength promoting and supporting media professionals. I look forward to helping the club continue to grow and remain relevant." 

Michael Rowland said he was pleased to be completing his terms as president after the successful national launch of the Media Hall of Fame, an MPC initiative “ that will continue to grow as we honour the finest in Australian journalism both past and present.” 

He also thanked MPC members for their continued commitment to the club. 

“It has been great seeing so many of you over the years at the Quills (in my humble opinion the best media awards night in the country) and our well-subscribed media lunches. Your membership allows us to continue our mission of promoting excellence in journalism, a task now more important than ever.”

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Membership is $100 for journalists, $150 for associate members and $40 for students.

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