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Journalism students are Media Awards finalists
The University of the Sunshine Coast's reputation for having one of Australia's best journalism programs has been strengthened by students Brad Gardner and Nikita Lee making the finals of the Queensland Media Awards on Saturday 25 August.
Nikita Lee, 21, of Noosa, and Brad Gardner, 23, of Morayfield, were two of three finalists for the most “Outstanding Journalism Student from a Regional University”.
The category was won by University of Southern Queensland student Loretta Bryce.
This is the second consecutive year that two USC students have made the final for this category of the Queensland Media Awards.
Nikita’s and Brad’s entries for the award comprised articles they wrote while working as interns with APN News & Media publications, the Sunshine Coast Daily and the Caboolture News, respectively as part of their USC studies.
Nikita recently won a $1000 prize from Sunshine Coast Newspapers for being its most outstanding intern of the year. She is now working as a journalist for the Bundaberg News-Mail.
Brad, who is in his final semester of study at USC, said he believed being a Queensland Media Awards finalist would boost his career prospects.
USC Head of the School of Communication Dr Stephen Lamble congratulated Nikita and Brad on their achievements.
He said their selection as finalists helped reinforce USC’s reputation as having one of the best journalism degree programs in Australia.