AFTRS and SBS announce 2018 bilingual radio scholarship winner

AFTRS and SBS Radio have announced Julian Virgona as their 2018 bilingual radio scholarship winner.

Virgona has won a spot in the AFTRS Graduate Diploma in Radio program as well as a 12-month placement with SBS Radio.

“Receiving the scholarship is absolutely overwhelming, and a truly unique and incredible opportunity,” said Virgona.

“It still doesn’t feel real, and I am ecstatic every time I stop to think about it. I cannot be more excited to attend AFTRS, and work with SBS.”

The partnership between SBS and AFTRS aims to recognise an outstanding radio student with the objective of developing Australia’s bilingual radio talent.

As part of the process, all shortlisted applicants underwent a language test by SBS Radio, with Virgona coming out on top.

“SBS is committed to providing opportunities for talent from diverse backgrounds and we’re absolutely delighted to welcome Italian-speaking Julian Virgona to the SBS Radio team,” said SBS acting director of audio and language Content, Pip Spilsbury.

“Combining his AFTRS program with the expertise of our in-language broadcasters will provide Julian with the invaluable experience and knowledge needed to further develop his skillset in the radio industry.”

“AFTRS greatly values the opportunity to collaborate in this way with SBS Radio for this scholarship,” added AFTRS program leader, Radio, Lisa Sweeney,

“Julian Virgona is an impressive inaugural recipient and we look forward to observing his progress this year as he benefits from both the SBS internship and the AFTRS learning.

“AFTRS and SBS are both committed to encouraging the development of diverse Australian stories and this scholarship will assist both organisations to achieve this.”

It is the second scholarship that AFTRS have announced in as many days, after Pariya Taherzadeh was revealed yesterday as the winner of AFTRS’ Selwyn Speight Scholarship.