Work gallery
Mark Willacy |
Mark Willacy
Mark graduated from USQ in 1995, majoring in Journalism and Literature. Since graduating, he has work at the ABC in Toowoomba, Brisbane, Gladstone, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra Parliament House, ABC Middle East Bureau (based in Jerusalem and Baghdad). In 2003, Mark won the Walkley Award for Radio Current Affairs for coverage of the Iraq war.
"I studied journalism at USQ because it's a gateway to a wonderful career. Journalism at USQ is widely recognised as a comprehensive and distinguished course which teaches students the fundamentals of the trade. It prepares students to enter a challenging and competitive workplace. My journalism studies at USQ taught me the fundamentals of one of the world's most interesting and challenging professions. The course allowed me to enter the workplace with confidence and experience."
Mark is the third USQ journalism graduate to win a prestigious Walkley Award. In 2000, Belinda Saban (Chief of Staff, The Bundaberg News-Mail) and Sandra Godwin (Journalist) were members of the News-Mail Team which took out a Walkley for their coverage of the Childers backpacker hostel fire.
Bernie Matthews
Photograph by Tim Bauer |
Bernie Matthews
Bernie is a convicted bank robber and prison escapee who has served over 17 years imprisonment for armed robbery and prison escapes in NSW (1969-1980) and Queensland (1996-2000).
"In 1998, while I was a prisoner at Brisbane's Sir David Longland maximum security facility, I applied to USQ for inclusion in the Tertiary Preparation Program as an external student. I wanted to study journalism. I passed the TPP and began a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in journalism later the same year.
Since my release from prison and as a direct result of my journalism studies with USQ I have written an insider's account of Brenden Abbott's 1997 escape from Sir David Longland Correctional Centre, "The Day Cassidy won the Cup" published in Justice in the Deep North: A Historical Perspective of Crime and Punishment in Queensland." DNA and the Justice Game" was published in the 2004 winter edition of The Griffith Review-Making Perfect Bodies.
In 2004 I became the first Australian ex-prisoner/journalist to be short-listed for three awards at The Queensland Media Awards. I won the Most Outstanding Journalism Student-All Media Award and The Best Online/News Wire Report (Electronic Media).
My life change from career criminal and prison escapee to journalist and writer results from a time in 1998 when USQ accepted me as an external student and I began serious study at a tertiary level. My pursuits were also an inspiration to at least three other long-term prisoners who also pursued university degrees through USQ. These events would not have occurred without the invaluable help and assistance from all staff and tutors at USQ and especially the personal help and guidance I received from staff in the Faculty of Arts at USQ."
Lesley Slade |
Lesley Slade
In 2002 Lesley graduated from USQ with a Bachelor of Arts (Distinction) with majors in Journalism and Public Relations. In her final year, Lesley won the prestigious USQ Keith Willey Award for the Journalism student with the highest grade point average. She is currently Media Adviser and Researcher for Mr Stuart Copeland, the Member for the Queensland seat of Cunningham.
Lesley says she studied Journalism at USQ because she'd heard really good reports about the program. "I liked the idea of not just being another number, because the lecturers and tutors know you by name and always make time for you. My journalism studies at USQ taught me the value of practical experience and networking, and that hard work pays off."
Melissa Brown |
Melissa Brown
Melbourne based ABC court reporter, Melissa Brown, planned to study newspaper journalism at USQ but was so impressed with the broadcast component that she stuck with it and has made a career out of it. Melissa graduated in 1996 and began working with the ABC in 1997. She spent five years in regional Queensland newsrooms before moving to Melbourne where she files stories for both radio and television.
"USQ's journalism program was very hands on and taught me everything I needed to know to get a job and build a career in the real world of journalism. The teaching staff were very approachable and the smaller class sizes created an important social and academic support network. In addition to equipping me for my life ahead, USQ gave me three years of fantastic memories."
Rhonda Hagan |
Rhonda Hagan
Rhonda is the Student Support Officer for USQ's Centre for Australian Indigenous Knowledges. Rhonda majored in Journalism, Media Production and Public Relations and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 2000.
Rhonda studied journalism at USQ because she wanted to understand how the media operates and how much it impacts on people. "Based on my experience at USQ, I recommend studying journalism because the academic team is professional and offers great role models. They train you to be industry ready."
Susan Graham |
Susan Graham
Susan works as a journalist for News Limited in North Queensland. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and graduated from USQ in 2005.
"Apart from enjoying your time at university, be nice to your lecturers as they have many industry contacts and, in my case, one of my lecturers helped get my foot in the door for my first job as a journalist (a casual position with ABC radio). A job came up in regional Queensland, and I thought back to one of my lecturers saying that the big employers appreciate those who have put in the time in the regional areas, because they cover vast areas and all of the essential rounds like council and court. The greatest advice to any potential journalist, or journalism student, would be to dream, but keep your options open. Learn all journo mediums because there is a good chance you won't get straight into the area you want to. One of the main pieces of advice is to do lots of work experience while you are at uni, and even if you hate a certain area or medium - still learn it - it may be an advantage for other areas."