Monash student wins Melbourne Press Club Student Journalist of the Year
Monash University’s Jenan Taylor has won the Melbourne Press Club’s 2014 Student Journalist of the Year for her investigative story, A Quiet Farewell.
Jenan, a Master of Journalism student, has earned praised from judges for her “original and compassionate” investigation into what happens when a pauper dies.
Her article was published in The Weekend Australian Magazine.
Jenan said the possibility of winning an award was the last thing on her mind when she started working on her story.
“The article turned out to take an unusual approach, which, although it picked at the fabric of contemporary issues, didn’t hang on any current hot topic,” Jenan said, who was awarded at the Quills at Crown Palladium on Friday night.
“I’m overwhelmed that all the hard work paid off further in the form of this Student Journalist of the Year award. So much of this achievement has had to do with the skills I’ve been taught and the guidance I’ve received from all my journalism lecturers here at Monash over the years.”
Jenan said she was particularly grateful to Associate Professor Philip Chubb and Monica Jackson for their encouragement.
Master of Journalism student Tiffany Korssen was a finalist in the 2014 Student Journalist of the Year award for her investigation, Suicide Survivors Left in the Lurch.
Her story revealed the lack of treatment and care available for suicide survivors that captured the personal experiences of those concerned.
Head of journalism Associate Professor Philip Chubb said having masters’ students shortlisted for this major award was a testament to the strength of University's program.
“Having Jenan win feels like a terrific vindication of our efforts and direction,” Professor Chubb said.
“More importantly, this prize is a life-changer for Jenan, who had a great idea for a piece of feature journalism and then worked hard to bring it off brilliantly.”
Bill Birnbauer, a senior lecturer in investigative journalism, said Monash journalism’s students repeatedly won the industry’s top journalism awards because “we teach them the fundamental basic skills of news breaking, feature writing and digital production”.
“We imbue in them a questioning and determined attitude to get to the unvarnished truth,” Mr Birnbauer said.
“They do the rest themselves. Jenan’s story was one of the most original, crafted and touching stories I have read in a long time.”
Monash alumna, Monique Hore, teamed with Herald Sun senior journalist Ruth Lamperd to win the 2014 Quill for Best Coverage of an Issue or Event for White Death.
Ruth and Monique’s five-month investigation revealed a cover-up over a deadly asbestos factory.
“Receiving a Quill award alongside Ruth is a huge honour,” Monique said.
“I enjoyed working with the residents of Sunshine North to raise important health questions. As a young journalist, it was also brilliant to work with someone so experience as Ruth.”