Julia’s journalism dream

A few years ago Julia was studying early childhood education at TAFE and writing on the side as a hobby – she never thought she could turn it into a career. “People always told me ‘you should publish your writing’ but I am quite a perfectionist and can be critical of myself, so I thought I couldn’t,” she explains.

“There was a writing competition for the ABC that I entered, I wrote about growing up in public housing and the stigma around that. It was a conversation that needed to be had. I lived on a normal street, a normal house. I wanted to change the conversation around public housing.”

The article received a lot of attention and more than 1.3 million views. Julia realised she could use her voice for advocacy, and also spoke to ABC journalists about how their careers got started.

“Now I just couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” she says. “When you find something that’s really fulfilling, something you’re passionate about, it makes all the difference.”

Studying at RMIT

Julia had heard that RMIT was very hands-on in its teaching, with practising newsroom techniques, podcasting and developing radio segments part of its offering.

“Choosing to study at RMIT is honestly one of the best things I ever did,” she says. “I was able to intern at Parliament House as a political writer, I went to Japan to do an investigative journalism internship and next semester I’m off to the UK for an exchange.”

‘Features and Storytelling’ is one of her favourite subjects so far. “It’s long, detailed, thorough research,” she explains. “You’re taking the reader to the scene – a bit similar to investigative pieces.”

She got the opportunity to put her investigative journalling skills into practice during a month-long placement in Japan, where she chose to focus on the topic of mental health and its stigma. She got to know a local café owner who ran a men’s mental health support group, stayed with a Japanese family and attended language lessons.

Drawing on many conversations with the locals and her own research, she discovered that people who struggle with their mental health face greater stigma in Japan than Australia. “Accessing mental health support is something that a lot of people don’t really do,” she says. “If you do it’s very discreetly, but it’s not something that you even talk about with your closest family members, it’s something you go through alone.”

The experience helped solidify her plans for after graduation. “I would love to be an investigative journalist,” she says. “I love watching programs like Four Corners and reading investigative pieces in the paper, and the writing element. I love that expressiveness you can get from digging deeper.”

Finding support to study

While at uni Julia was working multiple jobs to support herself: in retail, as a kinder assistant, and as a youth council member at the Commission for Children and Young People. “I was studying, working, studying, working – and then not having much time to do my homework and assignments,” she says.

“I spoke to a lecturer who I’d built up a rapport with and told him I’m struggling, I’m not in a financial situation where my family can support me, it’s just me and I’m burning myself out.”

The lecturer told her to apply for the Foundation scholarship and helped by writing her a reference.

“It was really great to come across this scholarship,” she says. “I had built up a lot of weight on my shoulders, thinking what am I going to do?

“Finding this – I thought I might be okay. If I was to get this, not only would it alleviate a lot of financial pressures, but I’d be able to get back on top of my studies without interference.”

Julia clearly remembers getting the good news. “I was on a hiking trip with very dodgy reception when I learnt I had been successful,” she recalls. “I was with a bunch of people, I was jumping up and down really excited.”

Since receiving the scholarship Julia has been able to quit her retail job. “I’m still busy but a lot more balanced!” she laughs. “I found my marks have definitely gone up.”

About the Tertiary Scholarship Program

The Sisters of Charity Foundation awards tertiary scholarships to young people from out-of-home care backgrounds. Financial support helps recipients afford university or TAFE study expenses (course fees; textbooks; technology; and attending workshops, networking events and internships) as well as the cost of living on their own with no parental support. The scholarship lets them focus on their studies, rather than having to hold down multiple jobs or work full-time hours.