Landline Host, Pip Courtney Heads to the Landcare Expo at the Orbost Show in March

Pip Courtney, the familiar face of ABC’s Landline, will be the keynote speaker at the Far East Victoria Landcare Expo on March 9, bringing three decades of rural reporting to the Orbost Show this March long weekend.

Courtney, a multi-award-winning journalist, has spent 30 years documenting the lives, challenges and innovations of Australia’s agricultural communities. Since taking the helm of Landline in 2012, she has led national coverage of rural affairs, from family farms and regional industries to environmental stewardship and the pressures of drought and market change. Her work combines rigorous reporting with a deep empathy for the people who feed the nation.

The Far East Gippsland community has welcomed the announcement, noting that Courtney’s presence will amplify the region’s commitment to sustainable land management. “What a great opportunity to weave in Pip’s storytelling- connecting urban and rural audiences, making complex issues accessible while centering the voices of farmers and Landcare volunteers,” said a spokesperson for the event organising committee.

Pip’s advocacy for rural communities has been recognised across the industry. In 2018 she was inducted into the Queensland Press Club’s Rural Journalism Hall of Fame, an honour reflecting her sustained contribution to regional journalism and her role in elevating rural concerns in national conversation.

The Landcare Expo—part of the Orbost Show’s program—brings together local farmers, volunteers, experts and conservation groups to share knowledge on habitat restoration, soil health, invasive species management and community-led environmental projects. Courtney’s keynote is expected to highlight practical stories of resilience and innovation, and to encourage greater collaboration between producers, Landcare groups and policymakers.

Organisers say Courtney’s appearance will draw attention to the vital role of local action in broader environmental outcomes, and provide a platform for residents to engage with the issues shaping Gippsland’s landscape. 

The Expo runs on Monday, March 9 during the long weekend at the Orbost Show, with Pip speaking at 10:30.