The Melbourne Press Club (MPC) has elected ABC reporter Ashlynne McGhee to the vacant position of Vice President following Michael Rowland’s resignation last week.

A reporter at the ABC’s flagship television current affairs program 7.30, McGhee has served on the MPC board for the past six years and is a previous winner of the club’s Quill Award for Young Journalist of the Year (2013).

Following a two-year stint in Canberra as the ABC’s political reporter, McGhee returned to Melbourne in 2018. She was instrumental in establishing the MPC’s popular program for young journalists, ‘The Edit', and also assisted in developing the club’s first mentoring program.

Speaking after the MPC’s board meeting this week, Acting CEO Eileen Berry said

“It’s tremendous to see Ashlynne ascend to the important role of club vice president. Ashlynne’s journalistic credentials are obvious, but it’s her commitment to advancing our profession that is most impressive to myself and my board colleagues.

“As a board member she has brought energy and fresh thinking into our governance and operations. She is also representative of a new breed of journalists in Victoria and I have great confidence she will help the club better engage with this critical industry cohort.”

The MPC board resolved its process for the search of a new CEO and President following Mark Baker and Adele Ferguson’s resignations last week. A board sub-committee will convene shortly to organise the search for a new CEO and consideration of a new president will continue over the coming months as the MPC engages with its key stakeholders.

More details on the CEO role and process for application will be available in due course.