Petra Stock of Melbourne University has won the 2021 Student Journalist of the Year award for 'National Treasure,' published in Australian Geographic.

Judges' citation

Petra’s delightful feature connects the now with a fascinating backstory, from Australia’s embrace of decimal currency to its transition to a cashless society. It gives an insight into the cultural history being lost with the disappearance of small coins and celebrates the beauty of the modern and uniquely Australian wildlife designs of the 1960s coins, providing due recognition to noted Geelong-born designer, the late Stuart Devlin.

Student Journalist of the Year Honour Roll

2021 Highly Commended

Warwick Jones, RMIT, 'The battle over Australia’s tough new vape ban'

Other Finalists

Ruth Brook, Monash University, 'May the end be beautiful'

Amalya Hart, University of Melbourne, 'Earth’s orbital space: who’s in charge?'

Petra Stock, University of Melbourne, 'National Treasure'

Fia Walsh, University of Melbourne, 'On the land, between phosphate rock and a hard place'

The MPC Student Journalist of the Year recognises the best in Victorian student journalism.

Enrolled student journalists are encouraged to enter a piece of journalism in any media that has been made available to the general public in Victoria. Judges focus on the originality, impact, quality and initiative of the work in determining he shortlist and winner.

The prize is a trip to Sydney to attend the 2022 Global Investigative Journalism Conference, and 12 months membership with the Melbourne Press Club.

The Press Club is grateful for the support of the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas in delivering this award.