University of Newcastle journalism student Daneie Geddes is the winner of the 2023 Brian White Scholarship and receives a four-week paid placement in one of Australia’s leading commercial radio newsrooms.
The annual scholarship offers this news cadetship to finalist who best exemplifies a passion for and talent in radio news and current affairs reporting. It is supported by Commercial Radio & Audio and named in honour of Brian White, the country’s first radio news cadet and the pioneer of the news/talk format in Australia.
Geddes said:
“Being named the recipient of the 2023 Brian White Scholarship is an honour and a life-changing opportunity.
It not only offers financial support to help me transition from my studies into the commercial radio industry but also opens doors to networking and mentorship with industry leaders. It is an incredible chance to gain hands-on industry experience from the very best in the field.”
The five finalists, selected after nationwide submissions, met at the Sydney SCA Rooftop to participate in a radio news masterclass led by leaders in news reporting from the major commercial radio networks.
Students and judges at the Brian White Scholarship workshop, with CEO of CRA (L-R) Ebony Weston, Gareth Thomson, Fiona Ellis-Jones (ARN), Erin Maher (Nine Radio), Ford Ennals (CRA), Michelle Stephenson (NOVA), Amy Goggins (SCA), Daneie Geddes (scholarship recipient), Caitlin Cefai, Claudia Goundar
The other 2023 scholarship finalists were Caitlin Cefai (Monash University), Claudia Goundar (University of Melbourne), Gareth Thomson (AFTRS) and Ebony Weston (Swinburne University of Technology).
Michelle Stephenson, NOVA National Audio News Editor who has been a judge for the Brian White Scholarship since its inception in 2017, said:
“Radio news reporting is a career like no other, and a good journalist needs to get at the root of a story, quickly and accurately, telling it in a way that resonates with your audience.”
Erin Maher, 2GB Radio Senior Newsreader and Editor added:
“As a talk/radio network, Nine Radio keeps the community informed of what’s going on in their city, state, country and the world every hour, 24 hours a day. If you love news and current affairs, there’s no better career than being a radio journalist.”
Ford Ennals, CEO of CRA who launched the masterclass said:
“I want to congratulate Daneie for her achievement. The quality of all the finalists for the Brian White Scholarship this year reassures me that the future of radio news journalism in Australia is in safe hands.”