University of Newcastle community radio station 2NURFM has won a national accolade for its news training program, which has helped launch the media careers of hundreds of students.
2NUR’s News Work Integrated Learning Program won the Excellence in Training Award at the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBBA) Radio Awards.
2NUR began broadcasting in March 1978 and is funded by listener donations and sponsorship from businesses across Newcastle and the greater Hunter.
Its newsroom started in 2009 with three students providing local news bulletins two to three days per week. Respected radio journalist Ian Crouch joined in 2010 as News Director, also leading the practical training program for students undertaking their communications degree at the University.
Mr Crouch said the 2NURFM Student News Program had been enormously successful over the past 12 years in preparing aspiring journalists and producers for rewarding careers.
“It’s a joy and a privilege to guide and mentor so many wonderful young people and it’s especially gratifying to see the Work Integrated Learning program recognised nationally in the 2021 CBAA Awards,” he said.
“We have developed a reputation for producing outstanding journalists who are job-ready. In the past 12 months, several students have secured positions with ABC Radio, commercial radio and commercial television newsrooms, while others have gained employment in print and online media and other media organisations.”
Program overview
The aim of the News Work Integrated Learning Program is to give students a wide and varied experience as a radio journalist.
They receive tuition on writing for radio, learning how to convey a story in ‘word pictures’ to the listener and also learn to use the NewsBoss software program – the most widely used and regarded news preparation program in Australia. Students develop interview techniques, recording and editing skills and an ability to identify a story based on the needs of their listening audience.
Opportunities are offered to attend media conferences and do field reporting and as their writing skills advance, students receive voice coaching to prepare them for news reading on air.
Students also publish work on the station’s online and social media platforms, including photojournalism and video content.
Since 2009, the number of students participating in the program has grown considerably – 48 in 2016, 39 in 2017 and a record 53 in 2018. There were 46 students in 2019 and, although impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the program supported 26 students in 2020 and 29 in 2021.
Jarrod Melmeth
“From day one, you’re working in an active newsroom alongside journalists, announcers, and other students. From there, you quickly learn all you need to know to excel in writing for and presenting radio news stories. Ian Crouch’s mentorship is second to none. He’s been in the game a long time and shares his knowledge and insights willingly.
As you go along, you’ll develop working relationships with community and business leaders, organisations, politicians and other journalists.
2NURFM is the hidden gem of the University of Newcastle. To be able to do all of this right on campus, alongside your class schedule is incredible and so motivating. Taking part in the student volunteer program is the best thing I have done for my career and I am forever grateful for the opportunities it has provided me.”
Jessica Rouse
“The training I received at 2NURFM was second to none. I was doing the Bachelor of Communication degree and participated in the 2NUR newsroom to gain some practical experience.
The difference between when I started and when I left in both my reading and writing was amazing. I left that newsroom ready to work in any radio newsroom in the country equipped with all the skills I needed. I am now thes News Director at NewFM and 2HD.
Under Ian’s mentorship, I learnt how to lead a newsroom and was trusted to act in his place when needed.
Everyone who mentions they’ve been through the newsroom at 2NURFM knows the great reputation of the newsroom training program and that they have been taught very well on how to chase, write and read news stories.”
