2017 Jacoby-Walkley Scholarship winner announced
The opportunity of a lifetime for a young journalist with dreams of carving out a career in the competitive television industry.
Jacoby-Walkley Scholarship winner Lydia Bilton
Lydia Bilton was just five years old when she discovered her passion for journalism. Born and raised in Moree, a small town in northwest NSW, the fourth-year Media and Communications student had her on-air debut in an ABC radio story about the Moree hot springs.
Years later, Lydia has had the opportunity to gain experience with a variety of media organisations through her studies including the ABC, News Corp, Mamamia and most recently The Bangkok Post in Thailand, supported by the Australia-ASEAN Council (AAC).
We are immensely proud of our graduates and their achievements in the field, in Australia and internationally. Our focus on the provision of high quality internships is central to this
With ambitions to work in TV journalism the Jacoby-Walkley Scholarship is set to open all the right doors for Lydia as she embarks upon her burgeoning media career.
This unique opportunity offers the scholarship winner firsthand experiences with a range of top media organisations, including:
- An eight-week placement at the Nine Network in Sydney
- A four-week placement at the Walkley Foundation
- A TV production course through the Australian Film TV & Radio School (AFTRS)
- Mentoring from senior journalist members of the Walkley Advisory Board
- A stipend over the twelve weeks of the scholarship
It is an absolute thrill to be awarded the Jacoby-Walkley Scholarship. Working alongside seasoned journalists and producers at Channel 9 will undoubtedly open many doors for me and help me realise my aspirations to be a TV Journalist
Lydia Bilton's mother Maryanne Hethorn and TV Producer Anita Jacoby at the Walkley Mid-Year Awards
Announced last week at The Walkley Foundation’s Mid-Year Award Celebrations, Lydia (currently overseas) sent her proud mum to collect the award on her behalf.
When asked whether she expected the win Lydia said:
“I was honoured to even be considered for the shortlist, so to be announced as the winner was a very welcome surprise. This is such an exciting opportunity.”
Here on campus there has also been excitement around this announcement. Dr Alana Mann, Chair of Department of Media and Communications said:
"Lydia has already applied the skills and knowledge she gained throughout her degree in her internship at the Bangkok Post, with stunning success. The Jacoby-Walkley Scholarship will provide her with further access to the mentors and experiences she needs to launch her career in the media".
Dr Mann continued, "We congratulate her, her family, and her teachers in the Department of Media and Communications in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and thank the Walkley Foundation members for their commitment to excellence in the profession."
The scholarship was established in 2013 with support from senior TV Producer Anita Jacoby to recognise the legacy of her father Phillip Jacoby – a pioneer in the Australian electronics and broadcast industry.
Follow Lydia on Twitter via @lydiabilton and read blog posts from her recent internship at The Bangkok Post in Thailand here.
