Apply for Walkley Indigenous Scholarship – Australia

You’ll develop a robust understanding of newsroom and production processes, and as a member of the team in each newsroom, be encouraged to share your ideas, skills and knowledge. The winner will also receive mentored support and guidance from an experienced journalist during each placement.

Funding Information

• the 2024 winner will receive:
  • 6-week placement with Junkee Media, one of Australia’s fastest-growing and most innovative new media companies. Junkee produces fast-paced digital news for a youth audience with a special focus on politics, social justice and culture. Duties may include:
    • Pitching digital and social story ideas across Junkee’s key Culture, Music and Social Justice verticals
    • Researching and writing original stories, including pieces for Junkee.com and scripts for social videos
    • The opportunity to shadow Junkee journalists during interviews where appropriate
    • The opportunity to write and present original scripts to camera with guidance
  • 6-week placement at 10 News First where duties may include:
    • Researching, compiling and shot listing for news stories
    • Shadowing journalists covering stories in the field
    • Developing writing skills with a view to contributing to stories for the 5pm flagship bulletin
    • Help produce on Midday news bulletins
    • Create contacts at a major Australian broadcaster
  • A stipend of $10,000 to support living expenses for the duration of the scholarship.
  • Additional financial assistance is available to assist with travel to take up the placement, and accommodation costs in Sydney.

Eligibility Criteria

• The applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia.
• The applicant must be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.
• Shortlisted applicants must be available to be interviewed via video call by the judging panel in April-May 2024.
• The scholarship is open to all journalists – freelancers, part-time journalists, and staff who can undertake the program as a secondment or career break.
• A university degree in journalism is not required.
• The successful applicant must be able to participate in the scholarship for the entire 12-week period in Sydney.
• The scholarship will be undertaken at 10 News First and Junkee Media in Sydney.
• The successful applicant will receive an additional capped contribution towards travel and accommodation costs to take up the scholarship.
• The successful applicant will participate in tasks assigned to them by Junkee Media and 10 News First.
• During the scholarship, the successful applicant will be bound by the same obligations as regular staff members.
• The successful applicant is expected to keep confidential any information obtained during the course of the scholarship.
• On completion of the scholarship, the successful applicant must provide a report (written or filmed) outlining their experience and how it developed their understanding of journalism. This report will be provided to the Walkley Foundation and may be published in segments or in its entirety for the purposes of promoting the scholarship.

Criteria

• Essential
  • A demonstrated passion for journalism across broadcast and digital
  • Excellent presentation, research and writing skills
  • The ability to spot a newsworthy story
  • Experience in interviewing people in researching for stories
  • Experience in pitching stories and ideas on presentation of stories
  • The ability to be part of a collaborative, busy environment
  • Written and spoken proficiency in English
  • The ability to work to deadline
  • A positive, willing and adaptable approach to the role at all times
• Desirable
  • Relevant work experience or contribution to wider community projects will be viewed favourably.

For more information, visit The Walkley Foundation.