Call for Entries: 2020 Jacoby-Walkley Scholarship

2017 winner Lydia Bilton on assignment for NBN News

The 2020 Jacoby-Walkley Scholarship has opened applications for tertiary students dreaming of a career in the broadcast industry.

Now in its eighth year, the 14-week journalism placement within Nine includes a $10,500 stipend, and is supported by Anita Jacoby, the Walkley Foundation, Nine News and AFTRS.

It is open to university students or recent graduates aged 28 or under with a passion for broadcast journalism.

The scholarship winner will spend time alongside top journalists at Nine News in Sydney, including at 60 Minutes, Nine News, A Current Affair, Today and 9news.com.au.

Judges this year include: Anita Jacoby, Alex Needs (Partnerships & Strategy Director, News & Current Affairs, Nine), Jenny Brockie (Insight host, SBS), and for the first time, both Tracy Vo (Today news presenter, Nine) and Hugh Riminton (National Affairs Editor, TEN News First).

“It’s incredibly rewarding seeing winners and finalists using the scholarship as a springboard to forge successful careers. In setting up the scholarship, it was always my hope that it would pave the way for new faces, giving them that vital foot in the door and a way to break into journalism,” founder and producer Anita Jacoby said.

Walkley Foundation chief executive, Louisa Graham, said: “The Jacoby-Walkley Scholarship is a supported media placement that gives winners such a unique opportunity, with the chance to experience a newsroom environment and program-making up close. For the Walkley Foundation, it’s a brilliant scholarship to be part of and showcases what’s possible when philanthropy and the industry come together.”

Nine’s Alex Needs said: “At Nine we’re always on the lookout for the next generation of passionate journalists. We’re pleased to again partner with Anita Jacoby and the Walkley Foundation on this scholarship that has been the launching pad for many great careers.”

Established in 2013 and supported by award-winning producer Anita Jacoby, the scholarship recognises the legacy of her father, Phillip Jacoby, a pioneer in the Australian communications and electronics industries.

The Jacoby-Walkley Scholarship has resulted in a number of young journalists – both winners and finalists – making their way in the broadcast industry, including 2017 winner Lydia Bilton, pictured on assignment in Newcastle this summer for NBN News (Nine’s regional affiliate in Northern NSW), dolphin-watching. Lydia has been working with Nine for two years.

The winner receives a $10,500 stipend to cover living expenses for the 14 weeks of the scholarship, during which they undertake:
● A 10-week placement in the Nine Network’s News & Current Affairs department in Sydney (including in the newsroom and at 60 Minutes, A Current Affair, Today and 9News.com.au)
● A four-week placement at the Walkley Foundation, in the lead up to the Walkley Awards
They will also receive a $1,000 course gift voucher towards participation in an AFTRS short course at the Australian Film Television and Radio School.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday April 26.