Calling young storytellers: Apply for Know Your Neighbour 2026
An Invitation to Young People (Aged 15–25)
The Illawarra Flame is inviting two young people aged 15 to 25 from Wollongong or Shellharbour to help us get to know the people in our community.
No journalism or content creation experience is necessary. You’ll receive free training and mentoring support to create digital stories that will be published in The Illawarra Flame this December.
We want to amplify your voice, explore issues that matter to you, and celebrate our diverse communities.
Why This Matters
Know Your Neighbour is supported by the NSW Premier’s Department to build social cohesion and amplify diverse voices. We aim to reflect the multicultural nature of our region through this program. You can read about last year’s successful program here.
What’s Involved
🗓 September - Meet your newsroom and other program participants
Tuesday, September 29 (4-5PM) - briefing session ( attendance required )
🗓 October - Training
Participant attendance is required for four online sessions delivered by Anita Anabel from the Community Media Training Organisation:
● Tues 6 Oct (4–6pm) : Journalism 101
● Tues 13 Oct (4–6pm) : Verifying sources and writing for news & social media
● Tues 20 Oct (4–6pm) : Interview techniques & mobile journalism
● Tues 27 Oct (4–6pm) : Basic editing and audio storytelling
🗓 November - Create your content
Tuesday, November 3 (4-5PM) - Group session to share story ideas and plans (attendance required)
You’ll work with your mentor to interview people in your community and produce 3 short stories.
🗓 December - Get published!
Finalise your stories and we’ll publish your work in The Illawarra Flame.
What You’ll Get
✔ Free journalism + content training
✔ Mentoring from a local editor or journalist
✔ $150 for your published work
Need to Know
- Your mentor has a valid Working with Children Check
- No private meetings, all sessions are in public or online
- Need help accessing a device or internet? Let us know, we can help
Apply Now!
To apply, contact us by Friday 11 September with:
● Your name
● Email + phone number
● Age
● Location (street and suburb/town)
● Cultural background
● Confirmation that you can make all 6 of the Tuesday afternoon briefing sessions and training dates.
We’ll contact successful applicants in mid September.
