Ashley Argoon named 2013 Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year
L-R: Jamila Rizvi of Mamamia, Bruce Meagher of Foxtel,Ashley Argoon and Jeremy Fernandez ABC
Ashley Argoon, a 24-year-old reporter at The Border Mail, has been named the 2013 Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year.
Argoon last night won the the text-based journalism category and the overall prize after impressing judges with her work on youth suicide and services in the Albury-Wodonga region.
The judges said Argoon was chosen as overall winner in recognition of the outstanding depth of her work and contribution to changing the status quo through a major campaign in The Border Mail, “Ending the suicide silence”
“It is an impressive achievement for someone at an early stage of their career and showcases the importance of journalism that is connected to and responsive to the needs of its local community,” they said.
As part of the prize Argoon will get to visit either the BBC headquarters in London or a CNN newsroom in either New York or Atlanta.
Last night also saw the awarding of the Jacoby-Walkley Scholarship to 21-year-old UTS journalism student Will Mumford.
Judges, TV producer Anita Jacoby, director of Nine Network News, Darren Wick and veteran TV journalist Jim Waley, had to choose between three finalists including Mumford, Lillian Radulova, of University of Technology Sydney, and Lara Pearce, of University of Sydney.
The judges said Mumford had demonstrated “passion and understanding of the various elements required to successfully tell a story in long-form journalism” and had showed the ability to put a human face on his journalism.
This is the first year that the scholarship has been awarded and includes a six-week placement at the Nine Network in Sydney, a TV course at the Australian Film TV & Radio School; and mentoring from journalist members of the Walkley Advisory Board, plus a stipend.
Other category young Walkley winners included:
Innovation in Journalism (sponsored by News Corp Australia)
Liam Mannix, InDaily
Radio/Audio Journalism (sponsored by ABC)
Caitlyn Gribbin, The World Today, PM and The Country Hour, ABC Radio
Television/Video Journalism (sponsored by Sky News)
Alexandra Fisher, Lateline, The World, Weekend Breakfast, ABC TV
Camerawork (sponsored by UNSW)
Ella Rubeli, The Global Mail
Ella also receives a Nikon voucher, valued at $2000
Media Super Student Journalist of the Year Award
Siobhan Fogarty, Charles Sturt University
Congrats Ash, amazing achievement!
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Well done Ashley (and all the others). I just hope there’s work for you beyond about next year.
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Congratulations Ash, that is a magnificent achievement and we are so proud of you! Rock it Niecie!
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