Making A Difference

This episode by student journalists at Curtin University in Perth makes us think about the concept of trust and the belief in the goodness of people.
The things they say, the way we rely on them…and the potential risk of placing our trust in others.

Hosts:
Madigan Spooner and Camila Egusquiza Santa Cruz

Stories:
‘Man or Bear’ – Reporter: Camila Egusquiza Santa Cruz
‘The Aliens Are Coming’ – Reporter: Andrew Hanlon
‘Pet Custody’ – Reporter: Madigan Spooner
‘Moondyne Joe’ – Reporter: Aimee Glossop
‘The End Zone’ – Reporter: Beth Mackiewicz

Supervising Producers: Kayt Davies, Sarah Taillier and Glynn Greensmith
Executive Producer: Simon Brady

More stories from student journalists at Curtin University.
https://westernindependent.com.au/

Music
‘Betelgeuse’ - Kunal Shingade
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XANS2XsG4DE
‘Come Back Home’ – Olexy
https://pixabay.com/users/olexy-25300778/

For many people, food and the simple act of cooking can provide solace and comfort, particularly for those who go through the upheaval of migrating to another country. Cooking reminds them of home – not just the food but the people and places as well.
Nicole Alcantara from the University of Sydney spent an evening with two young men from Nepal. And as they cooked a traditional Nepali curry, the conversation around food revealed a lot more about their new life in Australia and the enduring connections to home.

Reporter: Nicole Alcantara
Editor and Supervising Producer: Lea Redfern
Executive Producer: Simon Brady

Avishek’s Nepalese fish curry recipe
https://alcantaranicole.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/avisheks-fish-curry-1.pdf

More stories from the best student journalism in Australia.
The Junction

Music
'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' – Get Music
‘When the Ash Settles’ – The Westerlies
‘Ngoni’ – The Mini Vandals
‘Bridgewalker’ – Bitters
‘Basketliner’ – Bitters
‘High Life’ – The Mini Vandals
‘Come Back Home’ – Olexy
 

It’s hard enough for anyone to find a home to rent in Australia. The difficulty factor is multiplied many times more for hundreds-of-thousands of international students who come to the country each year, also needing a rental. In this episode, reporter Gwen Liu reveals the desperate measures many students are turning to that are exposing them to potential scams and exploitation.

Reporter: Gwen Liu
Executive Producer: Simon Brady

Original stories
Crikey – Rental crisis: desperate students turn to Chinese brokers and pay the price
https://www.crikey.com.au/2023/08/14/rental-crisis-desperate-students-chinese-brokers/
The Citizen – Rental crisis: Desperate students turn to Chinese brokers and pay price
https://www.thecitizen.org.au/articles/rental-crisis-desperate-students-turn-to-chinese-brokers-and-pay-price

More stories from the best student journalism in Australia.
The Junction

Music
'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' – Get Music
https://motionarray.com/royalty-free-music/there-is-only-the-unknown-ahead-840056/?q=there%20is%20only%20the%20unknown%20ahead&search_header=1
‘The Art of Silence’ – DHD Music
https://motionarray.com/royalty-free-music/the-art-of-silence-1066952/
‘Steps’ – Lance Conrad
https://motionarray.com/royalty-free-music/steps-1012004/?q=steps
‘Come Back Home’ – Olexy
https://pixabay.com/users/olexy-25300778/ 

Our Long Read series continues with a reckoning from Australia's past and the way it might influence our future. Our reporter Sydney Lang looks at the legacy of governor Lachlan Macquarie from the early colonial settlement days. Macquarie was considered a visionary who wanted to turn a penal colony into an egalitarian nation. But there is a dark side to his legacy that has an enduring, as well as painful, lesson.

Reporter: Sydney Lang
Executive Producer: Simon Brady

More stories from the best student journalism in Australia.
The Junction

Additional links
Professor Bronwyn Carlson on ABC Radio National
State Library of NSW documentary on Lachlan Macquarie

Music
'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' – Get Music
‘Silent Cry’ – Valster
‘Thinking in Silence’ – Ashot Danielyan
‘Come Back Home’ - Olexy

In the next episode of our Long Read series, Tylah Tully from Curtin University reports on the site of two of Australia's greatest riches. The Burrup peninsula in the north of Western Australia is home to more than one million rock carvings by First Nations people that date back tens-of-thousands of years. It's also the site of a multi-billion dollar gas and oil development. Can the two co-exist as neighbours? And what threat does a petrochemical plant pose to a sacred rock art museum?

Production
Reporter: Tylah Tully
Executive Producer: Simon Brady

For more stories from the best student journalism in Australia:
The Junction

Episode images
Social media and web: Robin Chapple, Tylah Tully

Music
'Spirituality' by Maximus Sound
'Anxious' by Oleksii Kaplunskyi
'Desert Orchid' by Alisha Studio
'So Many Memories' by Myton Music
'Just a Light Secret' by MooveKa
'Come Back Home' by Olexy

In this episode, Aston Brown from University Technology Sydney – and now a rural and regional reporter at Guardian Australia – takes us inside the world of people who forage through rubbish bins to collect bottles and cans for cash. Are they environmental warriors? Is it a hobby job? Or are they trying to earn precious money to make ends meet? This is the first in our Long Read series where we focus on one, in-depth story each episode.

Reporter: Aston Brown
Original story on Guardian Australia:
‘The professional recyclers cashing in on Australia’s bottles and cans’
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jul/15/people-see-rubbish-but-i-see-money-the-professional-recyclers-cashing-in-on-australias-bottles-and-cans
Voice actor: Darryle Macdonald
Executive Producer: Simon Brady

More stories from the best student journalism in Australia:
The Junction

Music
'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' - Get Music 
‘Come Back Home’ – Olexy 

Episode image
Hans (The Junction social media)
Jas Min  (The Junction website)

In this episode, our reporters from Deakin University look at how important health issues – period poverty, loneliness and therapy for young offenders – are being tackled. And there’s some fun in there, as well, with roosters on the loose, the cult following of an anime classic and how AI might be creeping into your music playlists.

If you or someone you know is experiencing loneliness or struggling with mental health:
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: www.beyondblue.org.au/
Black Dog Institute: www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/

Hosts: Josie Day and Ziska Mayadeen

Stories
'Period poverty' - Reporter: Ali Calafiore
'The Straw Hats' - Reporter: Shae Hambling
'Auto play' - Reporters: Mariam Ashraf and Molly Howie
'Rooster on the loose' - Reporter: Veia Bradley
'Healing paws' - Reporters: Ellie Claringbold and Jane Tyack
'Not on your own' - Reporters: Ben Cashin and Cathy Langley
Audio Editor: Christopher Scanlon
Executive Producer: Alison McAdam
For more stories from Deakin University: Dscribe
https://www.dscribe.net.au/

Music
'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' - GetMusic
‘Reflected Light’ by SergePavkinMusic via Pixabay
'Last Summer' by Ikson
‘Fluid’ by ItsWatR
‘Inspiring Cinematic Ambient’ by Lexin Music
‘Thinking In Silence’ by Ashot-Danielyan
'Wake Up' - vitaminsound
 

Shifts in trends and attitudes - some good and some less so - means that at the end of 2023, we are seeing ourselves and our country differently. This episode by students from the University of New South Wales explores the changing identity of Australia.
   
Host: Jade Psihogios
Stories
'The Matilda effect' - Reporter: Maddie Nixon
'On the drink' - Reporter: Jacob Sukiennik
'Whose crime?' - Reporter: Cayle Reid
'Audio porn' - Reporter: Margareth Kowik
'Own your story' - Reporter: Anna Tidswell
Audio Editor: Peter R. R. White
Executive Producer: Connie Levett
For more stories from UNSW: Newsworthy
https://www.newsworthy.org.au/

Music
'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' - GetMusic
'Wake Up' - vitaminsound

Episode image
King G from Pixabay

In this episode by journalism students at Griffith University in Queensland, we talk to people needing support in difficult times. And for all those people needing support, there are individuals, communities and organisations who are there to provide help.
Hosts
Merced Hernandez and Olivia Schoenauer
Stories
'Youth detention' - Reporter: Merced Hernandez
'Bushfires...again' - Reporter: Olivia Schoenauer
'Seeking shelter' - Reporter: Nicholas Powell
'Finding resilience' - Reporter: Larissa Espig
'Speak and Share' - Reporter: Alana Williams
Audio Editors
Merced Hernandez, Olivia Schoenauer, Nicholas Powell, Larissa Espig, Alana Williams, Bridget Backhaus and Heather Anderson
Executive Producers
Bridget Backhaus and Heather Anderson
For more stories from Griffith University:
The Source News
Music
'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' - GetMusic
‘With Me’ – Sabine Bloch
'Wake Up' - vitaminsound

Para athletes don’t get the headlines or recognition of their able-bodied peers yet their stories are the epitome of resilience and overcoming adversity. Less than a year until the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, we speak to four athletes about how sport has transformed their lives.

Hosts
Ella Bradford and Julia Forbes

Stories
Emily Beecroft – Reporter: Julia Forbes
Jenna Jones – Reporter: Ella Bradford
Blake Cochrane – Reporter: Bobby Wilson
Nathan Jason – Reporter: Rattanakorn Boontem

Editor: Simon Brady
Executive Producer: Peter English

For more stories from the best student journalism in Australia:
The Junction

Music
'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' - GetMusic
‘Steps’ – Lance Conrad
‘Fell In Love’ – Keplar Beats
'Wake Up' - vitaminsound