Award-winning student magazine is creating change yet again

Students and staff from the University of Queensland are helping debunk negative stereotypes of the Brisbane suburb of Woodridge by showcasing real stories that promote pride, hope and inspiration.

The award-winning Change Makers magazine, a collaborative media project between Woodridge State High School and UQ journalism students seeks to portray Woodridge’s youth through stories, photography and artwork.

Project leader Dr Scott Downman, from the UQ School of Communications and Arts, said the Change Makers project was the only learning opportunity of its kind offered to journalism students in Australia.

"The Change Makers project is absolutely at the cutting edge in terms of its hyper-local approach to journalism,” Dr Downman said.

“The stories in this year's magazine have been drawn from the Woodridge school community but they are stories that hold community and global significance.”

“It's a publication the whole Logan community can be proud of,” he said.

The first Change Makers magazine won Communication and Media Achievement Award at this year’s Queensland Multicultural Awards.

The latest edition promises to be even more compelling through its innovative combination of cross-cultural reporting and non-traditional newsgathering techniques.

Dr Downman spoke about the project at the Walkley Foundation’s Storyology festival of media last week, which showcased interesting practice and new developments across the world.

Students and staff from UQ and Woodridge State High School will launch  the second edition of Change Makers magazine, at 1:30pm at Woodridge State High School tomorrow (Thursday November 26).

The UQ Journalism Change Makers team: Dr Scott Downman (Team leader), Alynna Wong, Kemii Maguire, Jordan McMullen, Jade Horrobin, Rachel Westbury, Alicja Rudz, Max Rowley, Navin Regi, Sophie Volker and Courtney Lawler.

By UQ Journalism student Sophie Volker.

Media: Dr Scott Downman, s.downman@uq.edu.au, 0421 916 126.