UTS Masters of Arts in Journalism student Saimi Jeong was named Student Journalist of the Year at the 2015 Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year Awards on Wednesday night.
Saimi was selected by judges from three finalists based on stories published by The Guardian Australia and Reportage, the magazine of UTS's Australian Centre for Independent Journalism.
The judges commented that, " Saimi's investigation into the fundraising industry began with her own experience, and ended with two balanced, researched pieces highlighting an oft-obscured flow of money from charities to commercial companies": Global fundraising company keeps $7m of $12.2m raised for Special Olympics and Charities' hidden costs: the company they keep.
"Her third submission demonstrated a breadth of scope, and stylistic flexibility: a colourful, engaging look at female bodybuilding in Australia, which wove together well-drawn scenes and the voices of participants to reveal insight into the practice's social and cultural implications": Inside Sydney's female body-building scene.
UTS Associate Professor of Journalism Tom Morton said Saimi had an important quality for an investigative journalist, dogged persistence in pursuing a story.
"Saimi met with many obstacles in her investigation of the fundraising industry, but her persistence paid off with a story that could be published by The Guardian," Associate Professor Morton said. "She has been an extremely talented student and is a very talented journalist."
"I've been very lucky to have been inspired and supported all the way by many people," Saimi said. "Tom, busy as he is, would always make time for at least a brief chat if I felt uncertain about next steps in my investigations.
"Sandy (Dr Sandra Symons) opened up a new way of looking at journalism for me, especially stylistically, in her class. And even back in my undergraduate communications course at UTS, I had Antony Loewenstein as one of my tutors and he inspired the simple act of questioning and not taking any assumption for granted."
Saimi began in the industry with newspaper Burwood Scene last year, which saw her report from the NSW budget lockup and cover policy announcements in the inner west. Her main interest was in human stories, such as the closure of Sydney's last multipurpose hostel accommodating Aboriginal people, and the impact of road projects on local communities.
As a freelancer, Saimi has been commissioned by The Guardian Australia and student publication Hijacked. This year, she interned with ABC's Lateline and now works as a producer at The Sydney Morning Herald.
The Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year Awards are presented by the Walkley Foundation to encourage and recognise the rising stars of Australian journalism aged 26 or under. The student category is supported by the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance.
Saimi's student Walkley is the fifth for a UTS student since 2009.
- An investigation into the fundraising industry and a "colourful, engaging" look at female bodybuilding in Australia have earned UTS postgraduate journalism student Saimi Jeong the 2015 Walkley Student Journalist of the Year award
- Saimi was selected by judges from three finalists based on stories published by The Guardian Australia and Reportage, the magazine of UTS's Australian Centre for Independent Journalism