Congratulations to alumna April McLennan who has won the Walkley Foundation’s 2025 Young Journalist of the Year, as well as the 2025 Tasmanian Media Awards’ Journalist of the Year.
April, who graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2018 with a Bachelor of Media with Honours, works for the ABC in Port Lincoln, South Australia, where she is a regional reporter for triple j hack.
She said “the idea of giving a voice to someone who feels voiceless within our society” has inspired her career.
“It’s hard to put into words how much winning these awards means to me. I am incredibly honoured,” April said.
“These stories wouldn’t have been possible without the bravery of those who trusted me to tell them. These awards belong as much to them as to me.”
In addition to winning the Walkley’s Young Journalist of the Year, April also won the Walkley award categories of Public Service Journalism and Coverage of Community & Regional Affairs.
The judges of the national Walkley awards said April’s body of work has “deservedly earned her recognition in two categories, making her a fitting winner of the Young Journalist of the Year award.
“Her work shows tenacity, dedication, strong investigative and research skills, and a laudable commitment to difficult public interest journalism.”
Dr Linda Hunt, Media and Communications lecturer at the University and former ABC journalist, said April has proven her commitment to public interest journalism and telling the stories of vulnerable Tasmanians.
“What has set Media at UTAS apart is the close, collaborative relationship we have with the Tasmanian media industry, with work-integrated learning being an integral part of the curriculum,” Dr Hunt said.
As part of its commitment to the next generation of journalists, the University sponsors the Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) Best New Journalist Award, this year won by Tasmanian-based ABC journalist Eliza Kloser.
“By sponsoring the Best New Journalist Award, we’re not only acknowledging excellence—we’re investing in the future of journalism in Tasmania,” Dr Hunt said.
“With young journalists like Eliza and April, the next generation is not only capable, but thriving.”
This article is based on a story written by Media and Communications students Ineka Leffler and Grace Fredheim.
Image top right: April McLennan | Image Credit: Monique Harmer