General News
18 April, 2026
Media veterans recognised by RPCV
Robin Letts of Donald was among a distinguished group of media veterans honoured at the Rural Press Club of Victoria’s 60th anniversary.
Held at the Country Women’s Association of Victoria headquarters on March 27, Mr Letts was one of 19 media veterans bestowed with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Mr Letts joined The Buloke Times in 1947 and served as the masthead’s editor and publisher since 1987.
He exemplifies high-calibre regional journalism, having spent over half of The Buloke Times’ 150-year history with the paper.
Although officially retired, Mr Letts remains active in the community, sharing his extensive skills, experience, and knowledge.
Other Lifetime Achievement award recipients for the RPCV’s 60th anniversary were: Lachlan Bence (The Courier), Greg Best (The Warrnambool Standard), Yvette Brand (Warragul & Drouin Gazette), David Brehaut (The Courier), Brian Clancy (The Weekly Times), Peter Collins (The Warrnambool Standard), Mark DeBono (ABC Gippsland), Nicole Ferrie (Bendigo Advertiser), Peter Fletcher (The Warrnambool Standard), Annette Gregson (McPherson Media), Howard Jones (The Border Mail), Tim Lee (ABC Landline), Allan Murphy (Sunraysia Daily), Andrew Thomson (The Warrnambool Standard), Carolyn Turner (Warragul & Drouin Gazette), Sue Wallace (The Border Mail), Alison Wynd (Geelong Advertiser), and Pamela Zierk-Mahoney (North East Media).
RPCV president Kellie Lazzaro noted that, although journalists and photographers have traditionally been recognised for individual achievements at the press club’s annual awards, this occasion marked the first official acknowledgment of a lifetime of service to regional journalism.
“There was so much respect in the room, for the tireless work of some true champions of regional news, and I have to say, a lot of optimism for the industry as a whole,” she said.
“It really was an honour to recognise the service of these editors, sub-editors, reporters and photographers from Mildura to Warrnambool and everywhere in between, at a time when delivering trusted, quality local news for our communities feels more important than ever.”
The club’s annual journalism and photography awards will be held in Melbourne in August.