The WA Committee has decided to start a new annual award of $2000 for a journalism student at a WA university.

In the course of our planning we have discussed criteria with journalism lecturers from UWA, Edith Cowan (ECU), Curtin, Murdoch and Notre Dame. They have all said they will help to publicise the award. One thing that came out of these discussions was that the increase in fees for humanities courses by the Morrison Government has had a very negative effect on the numbers of students taking journalism – not surprising at a time when jobs in the media are scarce and not well paid.

Since we all agree that good journalism is vital for a healthy democracy, perhaps reducing fees for humanities courses, particularly in journalism, is a cause ABC Friends could promote? 

ABC Friends WA gave an award to a journalism student in 2011, 2012 and 2013. It was called the Pixie Angel Prize in honour of the member who left us a bequest in her will. Pixie was present at the inaugural AGM of Friends of the ABC WA on 15 September 1996. As mentioned in an earlier post, we plan to have a dinner in July to celebrate our 30 years of support for the ABC in WA.

Cathy Bardon
WA President
ABC Friends