Wanda Jamrozik
About the Prize
The Wanda Jamrozik Prize is awarded to the best Honours or graduate thesis/project in the areas of Journalism, Media Studies or a related field in Arts & the Social Sciences, which exemplifies human values in the media, especially in relation to ethnic, racial and multicultural issues, both in Australia and internationally.
The cash prize is determined by the Faculty based on the interest earned by the Trust in the preceding year. It is usually not less than $1,000.00.
About Wanda Jamrozik, 1960-1996
This prize has been established to celebrate the life and achievements of the late Wanda Jamrozik, while promoting the values for which she stood. Wanda made her name as a journalist with a passion for social justice, ethnic affairs and sport. She began her career while still a student at the University of NSW, joining the "Books and Writing" team on the ABC and writing critiques for rock music magazines.
She graduated in 1984, majoring in Sociology and Industrial Relations, before taking up a cadetship in Newcastle with the Sydney Morning Herald. For a time Wanda was the Religion and Ethnic Affairs Reporter. In 1989 and 1990 she lived in San Diego, California, submitting material about the US to the SMH, often travelling through the west and central states by car and plane to cover stories.
Wanda worked as the media officer for the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Frank Sartor, and later joined The Independent Monthly as a feature writer. She did not feel comfortable in producing polished pieces, which walked a non-partisan political line. Her inclination was towards reporting disadvantage and confronting the status quo where inequities were revealed. This inevitably brought her in contact with people whose voices were seldom heard.
After a trip through Western NSW and Queensland, she returned to Sydney to write about sport for the Australian and quickly became well known and appreciated for her comment, not on games or matches, but on the politics and impact of sport on those involved. She was an early supporter of indigenous players in their fight against discrimination.
Conditions of the Prize
To qualify for consideration for the award, the applicant must:
- Have completed all requirements for graduation
- Have submitted a thesis or project in Journalism, Media Studies or a related field in the Arts and Social Sciences which exemplifies human values in the media, especially in relation to ethnic, racial and multicultural issues, both in Australia and internationally
- Have been registered part-time or full-time as a student in an Honours or Graduate Coursework Program in the field of Journalism, Media Studies or a related field within the Communication program of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Applications
Applicants must complete and submit an application form (80Kb, doc), accompanied by three (3) copies of the relevant material on which the submission is based (i.e. articles, videotapes, audiotapes transcripts, etc.). Applications must be received at the Australian Centre for Independent Journalism by 26 July.
The winning entry will be decided by a specially convened selection committee, the decision of which shall be final. The winner will be announced at the annual George Munster Journalism Forum.
Contact for further information: Jan McClelland Ph: (02) 9514 2295
