Making A Difference

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' - R...

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 Br...

Every place has a story to tell: its past, present and what might lie ahead in the future. In this episode, our reporters from RMIT take us to native forests, a former prison, a public housing estate and a community on bushfire alert to find out how those places are changing. Hosts Annabel Fleming and Ned Coleman Stories ‘Citizen Scientists’ – Reporter: Melanie Bakewell 'Stories From The Insi...

This episode by journalism students at Curtin University in Perth challenges conventions that have dictated our lives and the progress of society. We look at ways people are taking on and dealing with accepted norms around housing, families, drug use, gender equality and identity. Host: Andrew Du Stories 'Grand Designs' - Reporter: Xander Sapsworth-Collis 'Stemming the Tide' -...

This episode by journalism students at the University of Melbourne explores the binaries that govern us: good and bad, real and virtual, life and death. But life often exists in the grey zones in-between and we look at what happens when you bend, blur or break those binaries. Host: Thomas Phillips Stories: ‘Human-made nature’ – Reporter: Meghan Dansie ‘Death Doulas’ – Reporter: Sasha Gattermayr ‘V...

This month’s episode is the first in a three-part podcast by Nicola Brayan from the University of Sydney. We’ve all been told that there’s a “proper” way to speak English. What if that wasn’t true? There are thousands of dialects of English that are “non-standard” yet they still carry cultural and historic significance. Nicola’s deep-dive into English dialects around the world shows how language s...

This episode by journalism students at the University of Canberra tells stories that make us think about some of the important things in life: our health, our happiness and our fellow human beings. Hosts Maddi Green and Lila Greyling Stories 'The 'New' Australian Dream’ – Reporter: Lara Stimpson ‘Nutrition For The Mind’ – Reporter: Hannah Donald ‘A Taste of Country’ – Reporter: Leo...

This episode by journalism students at Curtin University in Perth tells stories about preservation: preserving the environment, our reputation, our identity and our well-being. Hosts Ruby Devlin and Amy Figueiredo Stories 'Money For Marks’ – Reporter: Elliahn Blenkinsop ‘Saving the River’ – Reporter: Bronte Holmes ‘The Young and the Restless’ – Reporter: Mya Kordic ‘Complex Identities’ – Repo...

This episode by journalism students at Deakin University tells stories about our changing world and how people are finding ways to navigate these new times. You will meet Australia’s first dental therapy dog who is helping people overcome their fear of going to the dentist, and join theatre workers as they delight in a return to the stage after long lockdowns. The episode also explores the dangers...

This episode by journalism students at Griffith University in Queensland tells stories about ‘home’. From campaigns that support people facing housing crisis to acknowledging the importance of feeling at home in your own body. We also investigate the impact of natural disasters on ecosystems - which we like to think of as non-human homes - and there is a tribute to the volunteers who keep our home...

In this episode, journalism students at the University of NSW explore prejudice and bias, sometimes unconscious, sometimes ignorant and sometimes deliberate. There are stories that look at the issues of racism and identity from the perspective of victims, and why it’s so important to hear those voices. Production Host: Kyle Smitizis Stories 'We are kinda racist' - Reporter: Sanjana Jose...

This month's episode was produced by journalism students at Charles Sturt University. The range of stories emphasises the challenges right now, particularly for rural and regional communities. If it's not the pandemic, it's the threat of varroa mite and foot and mouth disease. And then there's the damage of months of heavy rainfall. We hear how communities  are dealing with a r...

Relive election night as journalism students around the country reported on a momentous vote count that saw Labor, led by Anthony Albanese, sweep to power along with a wave of independent candidates. This episode captures the highlights and defining moments from Junction Journalism’s national radio broadcast on election night.  More stories from Junction Journalism: https://junctionjournalism.com/...

In this episode of ‘Making a Difference’,  journalism students from the University of Melbourne report on what was one of the most marginal electorates in the country, Chisholm in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Reporters spoke in-depth with voters throughout the election campaign about the issues that were most important to them. Climate change, relations with China, Victoria’s COVID response,...

This episode of Making a Difference is an election special with journalism students at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst putting the microscope on the electorate of Calare in the heart of NSW. The National Party holds Calare comfortably but like many seats in this election, independent and smaller party candidates are hoping to have a say on the outcome. Production Host: Sophie Norris Stories K...

This episode by journalism students at Swinburne University in Melbourne counts us down to the federal election. They look at issues that are energising young people: climate change, cost-of-living and an integrity commission are never far from the conversation. And they put candidates on-the-spot to see how their parties will respond. Production Host: Jack Crnjanin Stories ‘Candidate interview: P...

This episode by journalism students at the University of Canberra (UC) looks at issues of these pandemic times. From the availability of affordable housing to the financial security of women, drug law reform, innovative ways of treating health conditions and realising sporting dreams. The stories were produced in conjunction with ABC Radio Canberra . Production Hosts: Sara Garrity and Lara Stimpso...

This episode by journalism students from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) explores the decision by Muslim women to adopt the veil to cover their hair, bodies and faces.  We hear the stories of five Muslim women from different walks of life and racial backgrounds who live across Australia. They tell us their reasons for covering-up and the struggles they go through as visible representativ...

This episode, produced by journalism students from Deakin University and Southern Cross University, hears from people who are helping others and, by extension, helping the planet. We delve into the world of Depop to explore if the movement is helping to curb our fast-fashion ways. We also follow Ten-Cent Tom, a guy who is building a recycling business one aluminium can at a time, with the aim of e...

This episode produced by journalism students at Deakin University in Melbourne hears from people who are taking a stand to help others and, in some cases, themselves. We talk to people working on the ground to stop the trade of human trafficking in south-east Asia. We hear from the victims of online dating scams and their advice on how to avoid the traps. We also learn about the challenges and suc...

A look at dating, love and sex as more than simply social interactions but reflections of how we’re actually going through the various stages of the pandemic. This month, journalism students at Curtin University in Perth look at how dating has changed in these virtual times. Romance reimagined explores the thrills and trepidation of making the first move, online dating and long-distance relationsh...

Journalism students at Griffith University in Brisbane bring us stories about the power of communities. They go to regional areas to see how First Nations people are banding together to improve vaccination rates. We hear from Muslim Australians s trying to bridge the cultural and racial divide in this country. The community radio station is under-rated but it's where careers are born and loca...

This month, journalism students from the University of NSW brings us stories about wanting change in our society. We hear from a priest who was welcomed to Australia as a Vietnamese refugee yet still is the target of racial abuse.   There's a visit to Hope House that is providing support for financially disadvantaged pregnant women.   We look behind the movement that is driving change in the...

This episode by journalism students at the University of Melbourne goes 'hyperlocal' with stories, somewhat appropriately, from their own backyard, where most us have spent time in lockdown this year. You'll hear about the plight of those relying on food banks through the pandemic, the conservation of culture and history - sometimes against the push for progress - as well as the deb...

This episode produced by journalism students at the University of Sydney looks at some of the everyday rituals  and relationships in our lives. Those rituals are on a broad spectrum:  from traditional cultural practices to the turmoil of friendships. And then there's the combination of ritual and relationship through the simplicity of the weekly grocery shop.  Production Host: Madison Lunz &a...