Mangerton’s Caitlyn Todoroski set for her TV news debut after winning the prestigious WIN News Scholarship

Inspired by leading television presenters Sarah Abo (60 Minutes, Today Show) and Waleed Aly (The Project), Caitlyn Todoroski has known for years she wanted to become a journalist.

Now aged 20 and in her final year of media studies, Caitlyn, who grew up just around the corner from WIN Television’s Mt St Thomas headquarters, has just been named the winner of the prestigious WIN News Broadcast Scholarship from the Walkley Foundation.

One of the judges, WIN’s National News Director, Stella Lauri, said: “Caitlyn’s impressive pitch of a news story currently affecting a regional city during the final interview round stood out to the judges. Caitlyn showed a great understanding of the processes a journalist would follow, to see the story to fruition.”

The scholarship gives the former Smith’s Hill student a remarkable opportunity to get a foot in the door at Australia’s leading regional television news network.

Caitlyn’s prize includes a 10-week placement in WIN’s busy Wollongong newsroom, where she’ll get to work alongside the WIN News director, chief of staff, editors and camera operators to develop her own story ideas.

Caitlyn plans to have two five-week stints in the newsroom, working her scholarship commitments around the final months of her Bachelor of Media (Communications and Journalism) studies at the University of NSW.

“The WIN Network prides itself on giving regional Australia a voice and we are pleased to offer Caitlyn the opportunity to contribute to 14 news bulletins, broadcast across Australia each weeknight,” Stella said.

And don’t be surprised if you see Caitlyn on your screens during her first period of internship, starting in August.

As well as shadowing reporters in the field, Caitlyn will be given the opportunity to source, write and voice news stories that will be broadcast in the popular 5.30pm WIN News bulletins.

While completing her studies, Caitlyn has been working freelance, covering culture, arts, current affairs and lifestyle around Sydney and the country for global publication Time Out.

Asked about her upcoming debut in television news, Caitlyn admitted being “a bit nervous about being on air".

"I’ll have to practise my television voice,” she said.

“I’m really looking forward to learning more about what an impact news and social media has on society.”

Caitlyn is well aware how many stellar journalistic careers have begun in WIN Television’s regional newsrooms and is ready to ‘do her time’ if she gets the opportunity.

Beyond that, with a  strong interest in languages (French, Spanish, Macedonian), her “dream job” long-term involves travel and learning more about and reporting on other cultures.

“I’m a very curious individual,” Caitlyn said. Following in the footsteps of her inspirations, Sarah Abo and Waleed Aly, as an investigative journalist, is her ultimate goal.

In the meantime, keep an eye out for Caitlyn in the local WIN News bulletins, starting in August.