Young journalist Liam Murphy reflects on his experience in the SBS newsroom as an inaugural winner of the Walkley Opportunity Scholarship.
Liam Murphy was one of the inaugural winners of the Walkley Opportunity Scholarship, alongside Nyibol Gatluak. The scholarship was launched in 2023 to address a lack of employment pathways and career opportunities for journalists from socio-economically disadvantaged communities in Australia.
As part of his win, Liam spent ten weeks at SBS in Sydney in April 2024. We asked Liam about his experience, and for his advice to those considering applying for the Walkley Opportunity Scholarship.
What was your experience like during your newsroom placement?
My experience during my placement in the SBS newsroom has been a dream come true. SBS is a great place to work at, and the culture is incredibly welcoming. The senior staff genuinely care about everyone, and everyone looks out for one another. For ten weeks, I absorbed as much information as possible while also being able to contribute in a meaningful way.
What are you most proud of while you were there?
The work I’m most proud of doing during my scholarship is the feature article I wrote highlighting the issue of a lack of socio-economic diversity in the Australian media. It’s something that members of the public often discuss, at media organisations overseas, yet seemingly, there’s a lack of knowledge and data on the issue here in Australia. So, playing a small role in bringing attention to and prompting discussion on this issue is something I’m incredibly grateful for. It got a pretty good reception on various platforms. I spent my final two weeks with the World News team; during this time, I went out to numerous stories and interviewed a heap of people and members of the public. I’m also proud of my involvement at the 4:30 am ANZAC service in Parramatta. During the event, I had the opportunity to conduct interviews with officials, veterans, and dignitaries for the TV pool. These interviews, which shared their compelling stories, were also broadcasted on 7 and 9 News Sydney.
Some of Liam’s published stories:
- The forgotten aspect of diversity: Does the Australian media industry have a class problem?, SBS News, 27 March, 2024 (also on Instagram, X and Facebook)
- Should business have to close over easter? SBS News (vox pops), 29 March 2024
- Step inside the world of mega-fandom. SBS News in Depth, 13 April 2024.
Negar is fasting but is not Muslim. She’s among many to do so this month, SBS News, 16 March 2024.
How did you hear about the Walkley Opportunity Scholarship and what encouraged you to apply?
I found this scholarship by a journalist retweeting a post from the Walkleys. My university lecturers also began sharing it with students. Once I mentioned my interest, my friends and family encouraged me to apply. I was also encouraged to apply for the amazing opportunity to work at a respected news organisation like SBS and my willingness to take on the challenge of getting out of my comfort zone and moving to Sydney.
Did you hesitate to apply for this opportunity? How did you feel when you got it?
I initially did hesitate in applying because coming from Perth, moving to Sydney for 10-weeks would be a bit confronting, not knowing a single person there. When I found out I got the scholarship, I was thrilled and couldn’t wait to get started.
What advice would you have for someone considering applying for this scholarship?
My advice to anyone considering applying for this scholarship is to embrace it and take it on, you certainly won’t regret it. It’s a life-changing experience and so valuable not only to yourself as an aspiring journalist but also as a person. Put yourself out there and say yes to every opportunity you get; you never know where it may lead.
What are you excited about for the next steps of your career and how has this scholarship helped you?
At the conclusion of this scholarship, I’m excited to head back to Perth and contribute to my community by continuing to pursue a career in journalism and tell the stories that matter. This scholarship has helped me identify the areas of journalism I’m most passionate about and helped my understanding of the structure of a newsroom.
Would you have garnered the same skills and experiences without this scholarship at this early stage in your career?
If it hadn’t been for this scholarship, I likely would’ve been thrown straight into work and wouldn’t have had such valuable learning experiences. It was purely ten weeks of absorbing as much information as I could and attaining new skills through an esteemed newsroom and organisation. A lot of the training and experiences I’ve had the opportunity to partake in here at SBS, you only get the chance to do after you complete a post-grad degree.
What would you like to see happen or change in the Australian media in the next five/ten years?
In the next five to ten years, I would like to see the Australian media industry address its lack of socio-economic diversity. One approach could be reintroducing cadetships that do not require a university degree. Additionally, I hope the industry can find a way to shift back towards more constructive public-interest journalism instead of focusing on tabloid sensationalism and divisive issues that, while it may seem to sell well, don’t significantly impact people’s lives.
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Liam Murphy was in his final semester at Curtin University when he won the Walkley Opportunity Scholarship. Born and raised in Gosnells, on the southeastern outskirts of Perth, he has grown to be deeply passionate about telling the stories of the marginalised in our society. Beyond his academic pursuits, Liam continues to contribute to the Curtin Journalism website in his free time. Connect with Liam on LinkedIn.
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Applications are now open for the Walkley Opportunity Scholarships, with two aspiring journalists of any age connected with 10-week placements at SBS and the Newcastle Herald in early 2025. These placements are intended for individuals who identify as coming from a socio-economically disadvantaged background (check the criteria on the website). Each winner will receive a stipend of $10,000 to contribute towards living expenses and accommodation for the duration of the Scholarship. The deadline for applications is 30 August, 2024.