Journalism students join Brisbane Times for unique GC2018 publication The Village Source

Back row: Griffith journalism students prepare for their GC2018 journalism experience. Front row from left; Virginia Balfour and Nance Haxton (Griffith), Conal Hanna (Fairfax), Professor Mark Pearson and Professor James Carson(Griffith), Marcus Taylor (GOLDOC), Megan Walker (2018 Commonwealth Games International Zone Manager), Faith Valencia-Forrester and Audrey Courty (Griffith).
Back row: Griffith journalism students prepare for their GC2018 journalism experience. Front row from left; Virginia Balfour and Nance Haxton (Griffith), Conal Hanna (Fairfax), Professor Mark Pearson and Professor James Carson(Griffith), Marcus Taylor (GOLDOC), Megan Walker (2018 Commonwealth Games International Zone Manager), Faith Valencia-Forrester and Audrey Courty (Griffith).

The opportunity to work at a large, international sporting event may be just a dream for many journalists but for Griffith University’s journalism students it will become reality when the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) begins onApril 4.

Thirty-five journalism students and five photo-journalism students will gain unique access to the GC2018 Commonwealth Games Village to work on GOLDOC publication — The Village Source, powered by Brisbane Times under the guidance of Fairfax Media editors. Published every two days, the A3 broadsheet will contain interviews with athletes and coaches, as well as news from around the GC2018 Commonwealth Games Village and the Gold Coast.

“Students will also produce digital content for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC),’’ says Learning Futures, Service Learning Director Faith Valencia.

“Within the journalism program we put a lot of emphasis on work-integrated-learning projects designed to provide students with the best industry engagement and employability outcomes.

“This is an authentic working experience for our students who will be deeply immersed in journalism work practices and develop a portfolio of work with a national publisher. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them. “I hope this is a standout experience of their time at university and what they learn here will be of immense benefit for their careers.”

“I hope this is a standout experience of their time at university and what they learn here will be of immense benefit for their careers.”

Megan Walker, James Carson with journalism students Billy Walker and Erin Semmler.
Megan Walker, James Carson with journalism students Billy Walker and Erin Semmler.

Based at two locations at the university’s Gold Coast campus, the students will work under the direction of Fairfax editors Cameron Atfield and Conal Hanna. Faith and Nance Haxton, Griffith University’s Journalist in Residence, will also provide guidance to the students.

“Brisbane Times is excited to partner with Griffith University on this project. Mentoring the students in a real, live newsroom allows them to experience life as a reporter”, says Audience and Innovation Editor at Fairfax Media, Conal Hanna.