Working in partnership with the Local and Independent News Association, The Illawarra Flame is inviting two young people aged 12 to 24, from the Wollongong or Shellharbour council areas, 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 the people around us.
What’s Involved
🗓 September
Meet your newsroom
Come and see how we work and get to know your mentor.
🗓 October – Training
Join four online sessions (4:30–6pm) delivered by Anita Anabel from the Community Media Training Organisation:
- Wed 1 Oct: What is journalism?
- Wed 8 Oct: Writing for news + social media
- Wed 15 Oct: Interview skills + mobile journalism
- Wed 22 Oct: Editing + storytelling
Note: participants must attend each session.
🗓 November
Create your content
You’ll work with your mentor to interview people in your community and produce 3 short pieces.
🗓 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 (3 short video pieces)
Apply Now!
To apply, send an email to hello@theillawarraflame.com.au by Thursday, 22 August with:
- Your name
- Email + phone number
- Age
- Location (street and suburb/town)
- Cultural background
- Confirmation that you can make all four of the Wednesday afternoon training dates in October.
We’ll contact successful applicants in early September.
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.
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
