I am immensly grateful, but still coming to terms with being the recipient of a major journalism award in Queensland.
It was a total surprise, shock even, and completely unexpected. I never in my wildest dreams imagined I could even be in the running for it.
When my name was announced at the Clarion Awards, my husband kindly escorted me to the stage, and as he did so, he quietly reminded me: “You know you’re going to have to say a few words.”
The Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism Award is one of two major awards where the recipient is encouraged to say something.
You’d think as a broadcaster and lecturer of many years I’d be used to standing up in front of a group of people and speaking, but the truth is I have always hated public speaking.
As a broadcaster you sit behind a desk and talk to a microphone and a few guests, either on the phone or in the studio.
I nearly died when I delivered my first journalism lecture and had all these faces peering down at me. Terrifying.
So I accepted my certificate and walked (wobbled, shaking) to the podium to say a few words.
I think I managed to say “thank you”, something about being passionate about journalism and working with students, but I really have no idea what else I said.
I just hope I made sense and it sounded okay.
So this is what I meant to say, or would have liked to have said…
