Monash alumni shine at Victoria’s top media awards

Monash University graduates and students achieved 21 nominations, including nine high commendations. Photo credit: Ben Swinnerton/Melbourne Press Club

Monash University alumni have collected seven Quills following a record number of nominations at the 31st Quill Awards.

Presented annually by the Melbourne Press Club, the Quill Awards are Victoria’s most prestigious honours in journalism across print, broadcast and digital media.

Monash University graduates and students achieved 21 nominations, including nine high commendations, across multiple categories, ranging from investigative journalism and business reporting to multicultural affairs and sports news.

ABC News journalist Chris Gillett won the Grant Hattam Quill for Investigative Journalism as well as Best Business Reporting for his investigation with ABC colleagues into abuse in the childcare sector.

ABC News journalist Bec Symons teamed-up with colleague Danielle Pope to win the Regional and Rural Journalism award for their story about flaws in the hospital system.

SBS News journalist Shivé Prema won an Innovation in Journalism award for his article exploring the challenges of distinguishing AI-generated content, including deepfake imagery and political disinformation.

Monash lecturer and alumnus Dr Waleed Aly won his second consecutive Keith Dunstan Quill for Commentary.

ABC News journalist Marnie Vinall won best Coverage of Women in Sport for her feature exploring gendered discrimination in women’s community sport, while 7News reporter Kristy Mayr won the Feature Storytelling in TV and Video award for her coverage of the miracle survival story of an Avalon Airshow pilot.

Kristy Mayr said it was during a guest lecture at Monash University that she first realised she wanted to become a journalist.

“The Network Ten news director was describing what it was like for Sandra Sully and the news team to be live on air when the planes hit the Twin Towers in New York on September 11, 2001, and it occurred to me that television reporting combined everything I loved,” Ms Mayr said.

“This job offers new experiences every day, and through covering local and global issues in a high-pressure environment I'm always learning."

Ms Mayr said a career in media is extremely rewarding.

“The industry is evolving rapidly, and anyone who enters it will need to evolve with it. The pace and deadlines are faster than ever before, and the competition is fierce. It's an incredibly challenging environment, but trustworthy journalism has never been more important, and there are many benefits.”

Professor Katie Stevenson, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, congratulated the winners and the nominees.

“Our alumni and students are making an impressive impact in newsrooms across Australia, and we are very proud of their achievements,” Professor Stevenson said.

“At a time of increased polarisation and mistrust in democratic values in society, our graduates are demonstrating integrity, rigour and thoughtfulness in their reporting.

“Their work shows the depth of critical thinking that a humanities education delivers, and the mission we must champion in rebuilding public trust in journalism.”

Shivé Prema said his key advice for journalism students is to experiment as much as possible while in university with different broadcast styles, platforms and formats.

"If you're able to diversify your skillset, this will make you infinitely more employable, and also make you an agile member of the newsroom who can move between different teams, and companies," Mr Prema said.

"I'm proud to win this award with SBS News and grateful to all the Monash professors and lecturers who supported me during my journey, as well as all the friends I made along the way."

Monash University alumni and students nominated as a finalist:

  • Abby Dinham, 10 News - Best Breaking News or Live Coverage
  • Bec Symons, ABC News - Regional and Rural Journalism
  • Chris Gillett, ABC News - Best Coverage of an Issue; Best Business Reporting; Grant Hattam Quill for Investigative Journalism; Feature Storytelling - TV + Video
  • Danny Tran, ABC News - Regional and Rural Journalism; Sports News; Radio News
  • Gillian Aeria, ABC News - Multicultural Affairs and Media
  • Konrad Marshall, Good Weekend magazine - Coverage of Women in Sport
  • Kristy Mayr, 7News - Feature Storytelling - TV + Video
  • Lauren Wood, Herald Sun - Coverage of Women in Sport
  • Marnie Vinall, ABC News - Coverage of Women in Sport
  • Monique Hore, ABC News - News Story - TV + Video
  • Olivia Conder, Geelong Advertiser - Young Journalist of the Year
  • Olivia Jenkins, Herald Sun - Best Coverage of an Issue
  • Sumeyya Ilanbey, The Age - Grant Hattam Quill for Investigative Journalism
  • Shivé Prema, SBS News - Innovation in Journalism
  • Taylor Penny, Herald Sun - 2025 Victorian Student Journalist of the Year
  • Waleed Aly, The Age - Keith Dunstan Quill for Commentary

A full list of winners can be viewed here.