ARN, in partnership with The Walkley Foundation, have dedicated their annual scholarship for emerging journalists to Alison Drower, the late, respected journalist and mentor to the next generation.
Ali Drower was an accomplished journalist, presenter and news director who worked with ARN and other media organisations and is equally remembered for her time, generosity, and dedication to fostering the next generation of news superstars. She was passionate about the power of local storytelling and a strong advocate for regional journalism.
Ali died in September 2025.
The ARN Ali Drower Audio Scholarship honours Ali’s legacy by providing support to an emerging journalist seeking to advance their skills in broadcast journalism. Applications open on March 2.
ARN’s Head of News & Information, Fiona Ellis-Jones said:
“Ali Drower was a deeply respected journalist whose curiosity, insight and commitment to local storytelling shaped newsrooms across Australia. She had an exceptional ability to recognise potential – in stories, in communities and in the young journalists she mentored.
Dedicating this scholarship in Ali’s name is a meaningful way to honour her legacy. It reflects everything she stood for – opening doors, nurturing talent and strengthening the future of audio journalism. We are proud to continue to support emerging reporters in the same spirit of generosity and excellence that defined Ali’s career.”
ARN launched the Audio Scholarship last year offering early-career journalists the opportunity to gain hands-on and financially supported experience in a fast-paced commercial newsroom environment, across both radio and podcasting. RTRFM‘s Rachel Jennings was the inaugural recipient.
The 2026 winner will receive:
• 10-week placement in one of ARN’s newsrooms located around Australia, consisting of:
• Introduction to FM news, including top audio brands KIIS and Gold
• Introduction to iHeart news podcast “Your News Now”
• Observe sourcing and reporting of breaking news
• Learn how local newsrooms connect with communities
• Write news bulletins in the commercial style
• Gather interviews and cut audio grabs
• Develop skills for using social media in a newsroom
• Record news bulletins for your portfolio
• A stipend of $10,000 to support travel to the ARN location, living expenses and accommodation for the duration of the scholarship.
More details on the ARN Ali Drower Audio Scholarship can be found here. Applications open March 2.
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