Katarina Slavich awarded TV scholarship

Lauren Hollands

7 July 2014: University of Canberra journalism student Katarina Slavich has been awarded the 2013 Peter Leonard Scholarship.

Now in its fourth year, the scholarship is bestowed in memory of the late Peter Leonard who spent 42 years in the media and 16 years as WIN's local news presenter.

The scholarship, which is a legacy to Mr Leonard's devotion to broadcast journalism and the ACT community, is presented to a University of Canberra graduating journalism student, in partnership with the WIN television network and the ACT Government.

Peter Leonard Scholarship winner Katarina Slavich with UC's Professor of Journalism Matthew Ricketson. Photo: Michelle McAulay

Miss Slavich said the scholarship has given her "a real insight into the industry and a hands-on feel of what it would be like to work in a newsroom.

"I now have a show reel that I am proud of, as well as the skills that will help me land a job in the industry," she said.

As part of the award, Miss Slavich received $5,000 and the opportunity to spend four weeks in the WIN newsroom. Charlene Broad, along with another finalist, were awarded their share of the cash prize of $500 each.

"A lot of journalism interns have this idea that they will be doing the coffee runs, and doing all the jobs that the staff don't want to do, but in the WIN newsroom that is very far from what the experience is like," Miss Slavich said.

University of Canberra professor of journalism Matthew Ricketson, who was part of the judging panel said: "When judging applications, we are looking for a student keen to work in the broadcast media and someone with a keen sense of what local media means to the community," he said.

Professor Ricketson added that Miss Slavich demonstrated "the integral qualities the judges look for in the process", paired with a good academic record during her studies.