Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) have announced today that Kate Cleaver in the winner of the 2025 Brian White Scholarship. The Curtin University student will next embark on a four-week paid placement across ARN, Nine Radio, NOVA Entertainment, and the SCA newsrooms.
2025 Brian White Scholarship finalists (L to R): Scarlett Coppola, Kate Cleaver, Fem Snel, Ella O’Neill.
Kate was chosen following an intensive workshop hosted by NOVA Entertainment for the four finalists. The workshop was conducted by commercial news readers and leaders Fiona Ellis-Jones (ARN), Penny Ghosn (2GB, Nine Radio), Michelle Stephenson (NOVA Entertainment), and Amy Goggins (SCA).
Lizzie Young, CEO at CRA said:
“The Brian White Scholarship, part of our Sound Start program, is our investment in the next generation of Australian commercial radio talent. Kate’s talent stood out, and we’re proud to support her hands-on experience across four major newsrooms.”
Kate Cleaver said:
“I am beyond thrilled to get selected for the Brian White Scholarship, I can’t wait for the opportunity to immerse myself in commercial radio whilst getting to work alongside some of the best in the business.”
The annual Brian White Scholarship honours the legacy of radio legend Brian White, the first Australian commercial radio cadet journalist. White pioneered the news talk format across a three decade career. Entries for the 2026 Brian White Scholarship will open mid 2026. The competition is open to recent graduates or students in their final year of a relevant course such as Communications, Media, Journalism, and Radio.
Main image of finalists and judges (L to R): Penny Ghosn, Scarlett Coppola, Fem Snel, Kate Cleaver, Ella O’Neill, Michelle Stephenson, Fiona Ellis-Jones, and Amy Goggins – images supplied
Is the Brian White Scholarship open only to women?
Why is it that the scholarship's finalists and the network mentors are all female?
Were there no young men worthy of being a scholarship finalist?
Is the lack of men a trend because radio pays so poorly or are they simply intimidated by the industry's gender representation swinging too far in favour of one particular sex?