Power Grads
Rebecca Morse
Hello, I’m Rebecca Morse, I read Adelaide’s Ten News at five with George Donikian.
I studied at the University of South Australia’s School of Communication from 1994 to 1997, I actually started doing a Communication Studies major, I did that for two years, and then I transferred across to the Journalism degree.
My studies have certainly stood me in great stead in the employment stakes, I started working straight away in the industry, writing for the in-house newspaper for the education department and that was a job that came about because the department had directly approached the uni looking for candidates. So, I guess that shows how well regarded the course is in industry circles. After a couple of months in that job, I applied for a cadetship with the ABC. I was one of two UniSA graduates to win one that year, 1998, and I was able to stay in Adelaide to do my year of training in television and radio news and current affairs. During my time at the ABC I worked in Port Pirie, I had a couple of years in Darwin and I spent time in Brisbane before returning to my home town of Adelaide in 2002 where I started work as a senior reporter and presenter.
I was very privileged to be named a finalist in the 2004 Walkley Awards in the category of television news reporting for a series of news reports that I did on the sex abuse crisis in the Anglican church. That same body of work saw me named the South Australian journalist of the year in 2005 which was an incredible honour and a career highlight for sure. That award was presented to me by Professor Ian Richards, so it was lucky that it was won by a Magill graduate that year.
I spent eight rewarding years with the ABC before I decided it was time to explore new opportunities and some new challenges, so I accepted my current role at Network Ten, a job that I really enjoy.
I’m really proud of my journalism degree from The University of South Australia, it provided me with industry relevant training, a legal and ethical framework and invaluable contacts. The uni has certainly supported me and kept in contact with me throughout my career, so I’ve really felt like it’s a family in that respect.
So, happy thirtieth birthday to the School of Communication, I certainly wouldn’t be where I am without you.