Leigh Radford takes up international representation

One of Australia’s most senior rural broadcasters and RMSA Vice President, Leigh Radford has been appointed to represent the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists (ACAJ) on the executive of its international counterpart.

Leigh Radford replaces rural journalist and author, Liz Harfull as national delegate to the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ). Liz served for more than 10 years as IFAJ delegate and continues as ACAJ president.

One of Australia’s most senior rural broadcasters and RMSA Vice President, Leigh Radford has been appointed to represent the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists (ACAJ) on the executive of its international counterpart.

Leigh Radford replaces rural journalist and author, Liz Harfull as national delegate to the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ). Liz served for more than 10 years as IFAJ delegate and continues as ACAJ president.

In his substantive role as ABC Rural National Editor, Leigh Radford manages all ABC Rural Department staff across Australia. According to Liz Harfull, Leigh is a multi-award winning rural journalist who is highly regarded by his peers and deeply committed to furthering the interests of specialist rural journalists in Australia.

As the ACAJ representative to the IFAJ, Leigh Radford will play a critical role in linking Australian rural journalists, photographers and communicators with their counterparts around the world. He will also assist in the delivery of international opportunities for professional development.

In accepting the appointment, Leigh Radford said it was important that Australia continue to be engaged in relevant industry-based discussions and issues in the international arena. He feels the IFAJ is an opportunity to do that and to help connect rural journalists from around the world.

Leigh joined the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in February 1987 as a trainee rural reporter, serving at regional stations in Victoria and South Australia. He was the voice of the Country Hour in South Australia from the early 1990s until January 2005 and served as the State’s Executive Producer of ABC Rural programs from 1997. Leigh was appointed National Editor of all ABC Rural programs and online content in 2005.

A multi-award winning broadcaster, he has a number of Dalgety Awards for Excellence in Rural Journalism to his credit and several Landcare awards. In 1996 he became the inaugural winner of the South Australian Telstra Rural Journalist of the Year award.

Ian Turner is the new Rural Media SA representative to ACAJ, taking over from long-serving representative Ian Doyle.