Zanda McDonald, Jon Condon and Pete Lewis honoured in Longreach ceremony + PICS

Julie, Chris and Don McDonald and Zanda McDonald Award founder and chair Shane McManaway with the Zanda McDonald Award trophy which is now permanently installed at Poet’s Corner in the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame at Longreach.

THE vaulted great hall of the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame in Longreach, resplendent with a 2.5 tonne Royal Flying Doctor Service Queen Air suspended from the arched ceiling, provided a stunning backdrop to a special event held to honour three rural achievers on Friday night.

More than 100 people from across Queensland gathered to celebrate the installation of the bronze Zanda McDonald Award trophy at Poets’ Corner in the Stockman’s Hall of Fame.

The event, hosted by the Rural Press Club of Queensland, also marked the formal induction of long-serving agricultural journalists Jon Condon and Peter Lewis into the Queensland Rural Journalism Hall of Fame.

The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre, opened by Queensland Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip in 1988, honours contributors to rural Australia from the early pioneers to those in the supply chain and industry sectors that help to drive Australian agriculture forward.

Shane McManaway addresses more than 100 guests who attended the ceremony last Friday night.

The Hall of Fame recently underwent a $14 million refurbishment and transformation which included a complete redevelopment of its galleries with the use of interactive digital technologies to tell the stories of the outback and its people.

More than two million people have visited the centre since it opened 37 years ago, highlighting the valuable role it plays in helping to communicate the story of Australian agriculture and its heritage to people from all parts of Australia and around the world.

The commemorative event on Friday marked the installation of a bronze Zanda McDonald Award trophy in Poet’s Corner, a lasting tribute to the late cattleman’s extensive contribution to agriculture, leadership and mentorship across Australia and New Zealand.

Julie McDonald, Zanda’s wife, and Shane McManaway, founder and chair of the Zanda McDonald Award, shared heartfelt reflections honouring Zanda’s unwavering commitment to the beef industry and his passion for fostering the next generation of leaders.

“Zanda’s passion for people and for progressing agriculture remains at the heart of our Award,” said Shane McManaway. “His induction into the Hall of Fame is a proud and enduring recognition of the impact he made.”

Established in 2014, the Zanda McDonald Award supports future trans-Tasman agricultural leaders, providing mentorship, industry insights and leadership development. Representatives from the Award community attended the event, reflecting on Zanda’s legacy and the Award’s growing impact.

Jon Condon (left) and Peter Lewis (right) with the incoming and outgoing Rural Press Club of Queensland presidents Arlie Felton-Taylor and James Nason at Friday night’s award ceremony.

The evening also featured the induction of esteemed rural journalists Jon Condon and Peter Lewis by the Rural Press Club of Queensland, in recognition of their outstanding careers and mentorship.

The Rural Journalism Hall of Fame Award recognises rural journalists who have made a lasting contribution to the profession and have helped support and inspire the next generation of rural communicators. A permanent display in the Stockman’s Hall of Fame will honour the recipients of the award.

Previous inductees include Malcolm McCosker, Robin McConchie, Rod Green, Kerry Lonergan and Pip Courtney.

Jon Condon grew up in the Northern Territory, where his family ran both a cattle property in the East Kimberley and built and operated the Katherine Meatworks. His first experience of the industry was hands-on, working in the meatworks as a boy.

In 1981, Jon began his journalism career with Queensland Country Life as a young reporter. He went on to become the national beef writer for Rural Press, building a reputation for deep, insightful coverage of the livestock and red meat industries.

He has reported on many of the defining issues in northern Australia — from the nation-wide Brucellosis and Tuberculosis eradication campaign, to the world’s largest cattle theft at Strathmore Station.

In 2011, Jon co-founded the online news platform Beef Central with fellow rural journalist James Nason.

His contribution has been recognised with major industry honours, including the Howard Yelland Award for services to the beef industry and for innovation in online industry news platforms, and more recently the Northern Australia Beef Research Council Medal for Communication and Extension.

Jon has also authored books on the beef industry’s history and continues to support the sector in roles such as a branded-beef competition judge.

Peter Lewis began his journalism career in local newspapers before joining the ABC, where he worked across both radio and television news and current affairs.

He covered some of the biggest stories of his time – from Parliament House in Canberra, to three Olympic Games, the America’s Cup, Formula One races and even a Papal tour.

But it was his two decades with the ABC’s Landline program – five of those years as Executive Producer – that cemented his reputation as one of Australia’s most respected rural journalists. Through Landline, Peter told the stories of rural and regional Australia with clarity, fairness and passion.

Beyond his reporting, he has held leadership roles including president of the Rural Press Club of Queensland and president of the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists. He has also been a generous mentor to many young reporters coming through the ranks.

His outstanding journalism has been recognised with numerous awards, including Clarions, a Eureka Prize, and the ACAJ Award for Excellence in Rural Broadcasting.

Applications for the 2026 Zanda McDonald Award open online from 1–31 October 2025.

More pictures from Friday night’s event below

Former Rural Press Club of Qld president Trent Thorne, immediate past Rural Press Club of Queensland vice president Michael Blakeney and NAB Credit Manager, Agribusiness, Karen Hardcastle.

The Week in Beef podcast hosts Eric Barker and Lydia Burton conducting a Q&A with Queensland Rural Journalism Hall of Fame inductees Jon Condon and Peter Lewis.