The Melbourne Press Club has been a key part of Australia's media community for half a century. It is a forum where journalists and those in related industries can hear from the country's most senior politicians, business leaders and other news makers, and liaise on issues like professional development and media freedom. Each year the Club hosts one of Australia's most prestigious media awards, the Quills, where it also presents the annual Graham Perkin Australian Journalist of the Year Award and, since 2016, the Harry Gordon Australian Journalist of the Year Award. Speakers at the Club's lunches have included John Cleese, Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, prime ministers, authors, sports heroes and top business executives. Joining the Melbourne Press Club is easy - it already has 500 members. Many are media professionals but other members include people with a genuine interest in media issues and the Club's activities. Membership costs $75 a year for journalists, $95 for non-journalists and $30 for students. You can also find the Melbourne Press Club on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. MISSION: The Melbourne Press Club’s purpose is to: 1. Celebrate excellence in Victorian journalism 2. Promote the value of quality journalism in a modern democracy 3. Provide forums for discussion of issues in the news 4. Encourage fellowship amongst media people