Kim Pham
24 May 2017: University of Canberra alumna Naomi Avery is enjoying reporting on local government, agriculture and small business as a reporter with WIN News in Orange after winning this year’s Peter Leonard Scholarship.
The scholarship is given to a journalism student at the University and is in memory of Mr Leonard.
Mr Leonard spent more than four decades working in the media including 16 years as WIN’s local news presenter. He passed away in 2008 after a battle with mesothelioma, aged 66.
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Director of WIN News Canberra Leon Buchanan with Peter Leonard Scholarship winner Naomi Avery and Assistant Professor of Journalism Caroline Fisher. Photo: Kim Pham.
Now in its eighth year, the scholarship is made possible through a partnership between the University of Canberra, WIN Television Network and the ACT Government.
Ms Avery, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Communications last month, was grateful to receive the award.
She received $2,500 and a four-week internship at WIN News Canberra. After completing her internship in March, the 22-year-old was offered a position at WIN News Central West based in Orange.
“Television journalism is an especially competitive field to break into so I really owe it to the Peter Leonard Scholarship for allowing me to get my foot in the door and land my dream job,” the former Merici College student said.
“I cannot thank the University of Canberra and WIN News Canberra enough for supporting me and giving me skills to take with me for the rest of my career.”
The two other finalists, Lucy Bladen and Jessica Mercieca received $250 each.
Ms Avery said her journalism skills had improved since starting in her new role where she reports on topics including local government, community events, agriculture and small business.
“I’ve learnt so much in such a short amount of time. A lot of what you learn in journalism, I believe, comes with practice and experience so I know there’s still so much out there for me to learn,” she said.
“I’m excited to learn and grow both professionally and personally in my first full-time job.”
Assistant Professor of Journalism Caroline Fisher said the judging panel was impressed with the calibre of candidates.
Dr Fisher said it was Ms Avery’s passion for broadcast journalism and interest in expanding her horizons that impressed the judges. During her degree, Ms Avery travelled overseas as part of the Australia Middle East Journalism Exchange program and studied international relations and national security for a month in the Czech Republic.
“Naomi was a high achieving and driven journalism student with a real sense of curiosity and interest in global issues. She actively sought opportunities to extend herself and her knowledge of world affairs,” Dr Fisher said.
“In a time of job cuts, securing a full-time position in television journalism is rare and was achieved through her invaluable experience through the Peter Leonard Scholarship. Every winner since the scholarship began has successfully applied for full-time work with the WIN Network. It has given those young reporters a fantastic entry into a career in journalism.”
