Meet a Flame writer: Zach Houtenville shares his Journey in Journalism

To kick off June's Our News, Your Voice nationwide fundraiser for independent local news, please meet a Flame intern turned freelance writer.

My name is Zachary Houtenville, and I'm about to graduate from UOW with a double degree in Journalism and Communications and Media. Originally from East Windsor, New Jersey, I moved to Wollongong after high school to connect better with my mum’s side of the family and bring us back to the region where my parents met.

While I was going through school, at first I was a science enthusiast with dreams of pursuing biology, but my focus shifted in junior year due to some uninspiring teachers and one exceptional English teacher. This sparked my love for writing and ignited my already strong interest in storytelling. I saw journalism as a way to weave stories into my potential future career. It also helped that I had an Australian aunt and a cousin who have explored the world and interacted with so many interesting people through journalism. Their experiences gave me a bit of insight into what this career could become, fuelling my passion even more.

I wasn’t into news growing up, but studying journalism made me eager to learn the craft. Gaining experience in community news at the Illawarra Flame, based in Wollongong, seemed perfect. It allowed me to understand the industry better and hopefully integrate myself into the community.

Having gone from intern to paid freelancer, I’ve had the chance to tell some interesting stories. Writing athlete profile stories for the Illawarra Flame was a personal favourite, as sports played a significant role in my life. Giving promising athletes a platform to shine in the media felt rewarding. Covering Anzac Day dawn services was an honour. I never really understood Anzac Day and it was truly a privilege to learn and understand, especially with having a grandfather from Australia who served in World War 2. Another one was when last year I covered the Culture’s Mix Festival, focusing on a food stall run by Burma/Myanmar refugees. It was a unique opportunity to explore a culture I didn’t fully understand, making it an unforgettable interview experience.

One of my toughest assignments with the Flame was covering the Odenpa bushcare group. It was challenging because I was unfamiliar with the topic of bushcare and meeting the group as a whole pushed me out of my comfort zone. However, it offered a unique part of the interviewing process, having engaged with the community on a larger scale.

Through my time at the Flame, I discovered a newfound confidence in my abilities within the journalism industry. Initially, I hesitated with in-person interviews, opting for phone calls due to shyness. However, as I gained more experience, I found myself wanting more face-to-face interactions so I could truly capture the essence of the story.

The Flame instilled in me a profound appreciation for the individuals I interviewed. It taught me to delve deeper, to truly understand the person behind the microphone, and to convey their essence authentically to the audience.

Working with the Flame has also reshaped my perspective on journalism. It opened up an appreciation and optimism for the news, contrary to the stereotype of sleazy writers. I've encountered dedicated professionals committed to ethical reporting and storytelling, which I don’t think is very understood about some of the people in this industry.

My future career goals are to continue to write and share stories. I do want to climb the ladder, tackling significant topics while maintaining a focus on storytelling on a big scale. Ultimately though, I want to keep amplifying people’s voices and narratives of those who want to be heard.

Support local journalistsFrom June 3-7, the Illawarra Flame is taking part in the nationwide #OurNewsYourVoice fundraiser, run by the Local and Independent News Association (LINA). We are one of 34 independent publications around the country calling on readers to support our work. LINA members come in different shapes and sizes, print and digital, pay-walled and free, but they’re all playing a vital role in connecting, informing and empowering their communities. At the Flame, we’re continuing to reinvest in public interest journalism, hiring and mentoring the young local graduates who are our storytellers of the future.To contribute, please click through to our Press Patron page