Journalism students from University of Technology Sydney have picked up four awards and three commendations at the annual JERAA Ossie Awards for student journalism.
The ceremony, held at the University of Melbourne on Thursday night by the Journalism Research and Education Association of Australia, is the main awards for student journalists in the country, acknowledging the best of writing, video, audio, investigations and media ethics.
Masters student Frances Du won the award for Best Text-based Story by an Undergraduate over 750 words with her article for SBS on China’s secret female language.
Judge Myriam Robin from The Australian Financial Review, said: “Frances Du’s feature on Nüshu was surprising and intriguing. It was also exceptionally written and conveyed with impactful quotations from women for whom opening up to speak of their experiences cannot have been trivial.”
Ike Morris won the John Newfong Award for Reporting on Indigenous Affairs, for his article ‘More First Nations kids locked up despite youth detention drop’.
Judge Jack Latimore, an Aboriginal writer and journalist, said: “Ike Morris delivers a well-crafted, researched report on the systemic failures in New South Wales’ youth justice system, spotlighting the staggering over-representation and targeting of First Nations youth.
“With precise, objective reporting grounded in verification and centring Aboriginal voices, Morris amplifies the urgent calls from Aboriginal communities for reform.”
Sophie Havilah, won the Cait McMahon OAM Journalism and Trauma Reporting Award for her article ‘’I hate them for what they did to me’ – strip searches are traumatising children’.
Judge Caroline Winter, a TV and podcast producer from PodTalk, said: “Sophie Havilah’s news article on strip searches on children sheds light on a not often discussed topic, is supported by solid data and very strong quotes and from both talent in the story.
“It was well written, clear about its intent and in its delivery, and explored the issue in a sensitive, confident and balanced way. As a reader, I left feeling I had insight into an important issue from a legal and personal perspective and could see grounds for a much larger investigation into this issue in the future.”
Yasmine Alwakal won the award for Best Data Journalism by an Undergraduate or Postgraduate Student for her story ‘Seeing red: the high cost of menstruating’.
The story had the true crime holy trinity – great talent, a compelling story and a grisly historical backdrop.
Judge Miguel D’Souza, a journalist and trainer with CrossCheck@RMIT, said Alwakal used “robust data sources, expert insights and personal stories to vividly demonstrate the discrimination women face due to menstruation throughout the health system and society”.
He added: “Its strong use of data engaged and informed the reader with a constructive approach to storytelling. Original infographics displayed good composition and understood the need to stand alone and drive informed sharing and conversation.”
First year student Hugh Philips was highly commended in the Best Text-based Story by an Undergraduate student – over 750 words for his story ‘Couriers’ outlaw bike race hits Sydney’.
The Financial Review‘s Robin said: “Hugh Philips’ piece on bike messengers and their annual race should be highly commended. Breaking into secret societies is hard, and Hugh brought back a fascinating tale from his travels.”
Rosa Griffith was highly commended in the Best Audio Story (long-form) by an Undergraduate or Postgraduate Student for her podcast ‘Danger in Dangar Place’ about the shooting of Warren Lanfranchi.
ABC journalist Mario Christodoulou, who judged the award, said: “Rosa Griffith’s story had the true crime holy trinity – great talent, a compelling story and a grisly historical backdrop.
“These three elements made for a fascinating podcast which was at its strongest when depicting ordinary people caught up in extraordinary situations.”
Sophia Khouri was highly commended for her story ‘Father of murdered teen’s long fight for change’, with judge Winter saying: “Sophia Khouri’s piece on Ken Marslew and his Enough is Enough charity drew me in from the first line and took me on a journey throughout.
“She explored Ken’s journey and shift from devastated parent to changemaker in an emotive and engaging way, bringing the reader right to the heart of the issue.”
For the third year in a row the University of Queensland won the The Australian Press Council Prize for Journalism Student of the Year, the night’s top honour, awarded to Ella Proberts.
Best publication went to the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Advancing Journalism’s The Citizen website, written by masters students.
The University of Melbourne took home the most awards with eight winners and a highly commended, while University of Newcastle, RMIT University, University of Queensland, Curtin University, University of Wollongong and New Zealand’s University of Canterbury all fared well.
Lecturer Catriona Bonfiglioli, who accepted the awards on behalf of the UTS students, said: “[It’s] always a proud moment for UTS Journalism to collect so many winner and highly commended certificates.”
Main image Canva montage.
