JUST Super and the Walkley Foundation for Journalism are proud to announce the winners and finalists of the 2006 JUST Super Student Journalist of the Year Award. There were a total of 81 entries to the award, making competition fierce among a student community producing a very strong calibre of work.

Our congratulations go out to…

Winner:
Nicholas Townsend, Deakin University

Finalists:
Emma Mulholland, University of Technology, Sydney
Matthew Brann, Charles Sturt University

Commended:
Wesley Young, University of Tasmania

The Judges’ Comments

Winner
Profile of Ian Melrose – Nicholas Townsend

There was something unique about this feature; not only in the subject Nicholas chose but also in the way he skilfully crafted the piece. The story delivered on all fronts – analysis, newsworthiness and impact. We really got to know Ian Melrose through good, original research. The author had an understated writing style and offered solid insights into his subject. The story was engaging and well structured. Nicholas captures the reader’s interest from the start and refuses to let it go with clever use of comments from colleagues and other campaigners. This piece would have found a comfortable run in anything from Good Weekend Magazine to the Australian Financial Review. It was a professional and polished entry that had the unanimous support of the judges.

Finalist
Painting in Lieu – Emma Mulholland

Emma has a lovely style and sharp wit. This piece was fun and a good way to deal with a routine community conundrum (artist versus developer).  We got that story but we got so much more. We got a detailed, comic insight into why “the Kirk” was so important – because it housed national treasures like Gretel/Madame Lash.

Finalist
A Darling Place – Matthew Brann

This is a lovely, whimsical yarn. It illuminates a basic news story (regional communities losing people) with excellent use of music and actuality. It provides a wonderful slice of country life that is not often heard in the mainstream Australian media.
The reporter wisely keeps his own involvement to a minimum, instead pushing forward the voices, stories and perspectives of the young children and teacher.

Commended
Beaconsfield Blasting “Reckless” – Wesley Young

Neat, succinct, important, newsworthy. When the rest of the media’s attention was focused solely on the rescue, here’s an important break out examining the controversies behind what turned out to be a long running battle between the community and the mine.   Good work helping to set the news agenda on a huge national story.  Sharp, tightly written news copy.

The winner receives a Macquarie Dictionary pack, a certificate and a ticket to the Walkley Awards Dinner on November 30. Our thanks to Macquarie Dictionary for donating this prize.

Special thanks go to our judges, Leigh Sales, Chris Reason and Amanda Hooton, for their time and dedication to the awards.