‘Feedback’ to Front-Page News

Audrey Courty’s (Class of 2010) journalism career began with a Feedback magazine exposé on food safety at the Cilandak campus. She remembers — with a cheeky chuckle and a glint of pride in her eyes — how the article “ruffled some feathers” and led to a meeting with school leadership.

Today, some 12 years later, Audrey may not be ruffling feathers in quite the same way, but she continues to stay at the forefront of major events. This time, she’s covering such impactful breaking news topics as international conflicts and geopolitical developments in her role as journalist/producer for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) fast-paced digital news team. 

Audrey credits much of her instincts and passion for global issues to her multicultural upbringing, eight years of which were spent at JIS, spanning Grade 6 to graduation in 2010. Before that, she was a young third-culture nomad living in her parents’ native homes of France and Turkey, before moving to Jakarta at the age of 10. 

“[Jakarta] was such a huge contrast from Turkey and France, but it was wonderful. Everyone in my family has really fond memories of our time in Jakarta — and I think that’s why we lived there for so long; one of the countries we lived in the longest was Indonesia. We really enjoyed it,” she recalls.

After graduation, the budding journalist would move to Canada for a year of university before joining her family in China and then finally settling in Australia to continue her studies and the pursuit of her dreams to make an impact (or ruffle a few more feathers) in news media.

“Lots of continents, lots of places, lots of languages. That’s why I have this typical international school accent,” she laughs.

It was her brief time in China, waiting to start the academic year in Australia, that gave Audrey her first foray into professional journalism. While living in Shanghai with her family, she landed an internship at Shanghai Talk, the city’s longest-running English-language magazine catering to the expat community. 

“I didn’t have a lot of experience, but they threw me into the deep end,” she says.

What followed was an exciting, whirlwind introduction to the fast-paced world of media. Over the course of eight months, Audrey found herself interviewing NBA players, covering glitzy fashion events, and even writing up a celebrity appearance by Daniel Craig. 

“It was fun journalism,” she recalls. “I remember being invited to a Dolce & Gabbana event — I met the Vogue Italia editor. There was just so much exposure.” 

She wrapped up her internship with Shanghai Talk when the next chapter in her journey came calling: Griffith University in Brisbane, where she enrolled in the Bachelor of Journalism program. She didn’t know it yet, but the prestigious institution (ranked among the top 2% of universities worldwide) would play a significant role in her personal and professional life.

After completing her degree, then a Bachelor of Honours in Journalism and a Doctor of Philosophy, she found herself facing a major stumbling block in the form of visa regulations — something many third-culture kids have to deal with as global citizens. Instead of jumping straight into her dream career, she decided to remain at Griffith as a researcher and lecturer, teaching undergraduate classes while going through the complex visa process for non-citizens hoping to work in Australia’s media industry.

“To work in media in Australia, you have to either be a permanent resident or a citizen,” Audrey explains. “My full-time job was in academia, but I also did lots of contract work, like radio with 4ZZZ, a local radio station. That helped pay my bills [...] while I was processing my permanent resident visa. That’s life as a third-culture kid sometimes!”

Ever the resilient Dragon, Audrey stayed dedicated to her end goals — and claimed success. After finally securing her permanent residency, Audrey could at last put her journalism training to work. She landed a coveted position with ABC, which she described as “an incredible privilege”.

Her first role was as a multiplatform cadet, rotating through TV, radio, and online newsrooms. 

She would soon be posted to the regions as a junior journalist — far from any bustling cities and deep into the “middle of nowhere” that was the quiet, coastal town of Bundaberg, central Queensland.

“It’s the opposite of Indonesia,” she reflects. “In Indonesia, when you go to isolated places, it can still be busy — there are always people. In Australia, the further you go, the less there is, so I had to find stories in the middle of nowhere.”

Still, there were plenty of stories to dig into with just a little bit of searching. Everything from jellyfish stings to dingo bites, Audrey covered a range of “quirky features” for nearly nine months.

Upon returning to Brisbane, she joined ABC’s national breaking news team, where her work took on a new intensity and pace that came along with greater responsibility. Her role requires her to juggle various tasks in a fast-paced environment that constantly keeps her on her toes. From front-page editing and breaking news reporting to live blogging — “it’s just 24/7, you just have to be ready”. 

“Whether it’s Trump, the conclave, Ukraine, Gaza — we’re on it. We’re always in the thick of it.”

When asked whether she would consider going back to teaching, perhaps follow in the footsteps of one of her favorite JIS teachers (as well as JIS Alum and Feedback adviser) Yuichiro Hara, her response was instant enthusiasm.

“Yeah, I could! When I was at [Griffith], I really enjoyed teaching because I love connecting with people,” she says. “I could see myself maybe returning to teaching one day. I love journalism. I love telling stories. I feel like I’m in the space that I should be in. But, yes, I could see myself maybe teaching. I won’t rule it out.”

Her advice to JIS students interested in pursuing journalism is to first and foremost seize the unique opportunities they now have to get an early start in building a portfolio. She recalls referencing her own work with Feedback when applying for her internship in Shanghai.

“Just having a platform like Feedback, where you can actually publish stories and get content out there, is hugely valuable. From experience, I can say it’s highly regarded by employers when you already have a portfolio.”

She encourages students to diversify their skill sets and lean into their interests — whether that’s photography, videography, or a specific area of reporting. 

“Already, I think students at JIS have an advantage. You’re working and studying in a global context. So, get that portfolio going and develop a range of skill sets!”

She credits Yuichiro in particular for nurturing her early love of writing. 

“He gave me incredible feedback — not just technically, but personally, too. Those are the golden teachers; the ones who aren’t just about content, but who also mentor and inspire you.”