The Melbourne Press Club Hall of Fame will be expanded to a national honour roll that recognises those who have shaped journalism and the history of news media across the country.
Thirty-one journalists, cartoonists and influential media players were inducted into the Victorian Hall of Fame in Melbourne on Friday, completing the foundation membership of 81.
Club president Michael Rowland said they each were worthy of a place on the honour roll which would soon be a national list, to be known as the Australian Media Hall of Fame.
Among the new inductees were sports writer Caroline Wilson, morning radio king Neil Mitchell, prolific scribe Gideon Haigh, journalist Jana Wendt and investigative reporter Andrew Rule.
Political correspondents Laurie Oakes and Michelle Grattan, cartoonist Ron Tandberg and newspaper editors Peter Blunden and the late Creighton Burns were also inducted.
In accepting his award, Laurie Oakes reflected that his favourite politician to "grapple" with was Paul Keating.
Jana Wendt, one of only three women recognised on Friday, lamented that young journalists missed out on the thrill that once came from interviewing politicians in a time when "they actually answered questions".
Cartoonist Ron Tandberg said the hardest politician he'd had to draw was former Liberal leader John Hewson.
But he enjoyed portraying the current prime minister.
"Tony Abbott's not great for the country, but he's pretty good for me," Mr Tandberg said.
The completion of the Media Hall of Fame's foundation membership was celebrated with the launch of a book to honour the contributions of its members.
Mr Rowland said Victoria had a glorious history of journalistic excellence which had made great contributions to the development of the state and the nation.
"It is a history that has never been written or told comprehensively. Through the stories of these 81 individuals, the Press Club is telling a good chunk of it," he said.
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