LOOKING BACK
We take a fond look back at Inspire, and chat to people who began their careers in journalism with the education supplement that continues to inspire young minds
It’s been a long 14 years since Inspire first launched as TXT4U - this week take a trip down memory lane with us as we look back on all the fun since then.
IT’S been a good 14 years with Inspire, and now’s as good a time as any to look back on them.
The Gold Coast Bulletin’s education liftout kicked things off with a bang in July of 2004, its bold front page proudly declaring - NO ADULTS ALLOWED.
Starting out as TXT4U it was a place for all the young people and schools of the Gold Coast to strut their stuff.
Over the years it earned itself a few redesigns, swapping bright colours and crazy fonts to fit better with the paper’s style.
In 2015 it relaunched as EDit, before being rebranded again in 2016 as the good old Inspire we know and love.
It’s been a way for young journalists to hone their skills and student reporters to get their start.
Here’s what some of our writers from across the years have to say about their time here.
‘ WRITING for the Gold Coast Bulletin has been an experience I will never forget.
What started off as a press release for a charity day turned into an archive of articles. I would have never explored journalism had I not been introduced to it by my amazing editor Brianna Morris-Grant.
I have now uncovered the exciting possibilities that I can explore in this field and I will never forget my experiences and will write again.
Until then, I bid farewell to the GC Bulletin’s Inspire page. ERIN WOODS, 15, Student Reporter, Palm Beach Currumbin High School
‘ INSPIRE has been the starting point of careers for many young undergraduate journalism students. The first news story I ever wrote was published in Inspire in November 2016. Since then I’ve started a cadetship at the Gold Coast Bulletin and have been contributing to the weekly pull out. EMILY HALLORAN, 24, Cadet Journalist at The Gold Coast Bulletin
‘ FOR a junior reporter fresh out of university, TXT4U presented an opportunity to hone essential interview, storytelling and editing skills under the eye of some great mentors, while also giving the city’s youth a space to share their stories, ideas and achievements. HAYLEY SULTANIE, 32, Senior PR & Communications Coordinator at Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific
‘ IT’S been amazing working on Inspire over the past year. I can’t imagine a better way for young reporters to get a sense of deadlines, time management and what it takes to put a paper together. A lot of what happens to turn the Bulletin into a fully-fledged newspaper really goes on behind the scenes, and it’s been an experience to be completely involved with such a huge part of it. BRIANNA MORRIS-GRANT, 21, Cadet Journalist at The Gold Coast Bulletin.
‘ TXT4U was my first gig as a copy girl at the GCB, and an excellent gig at that. Meeting loads of spunky and talented youngsters all around the GC was a great introduction to journalism. PENNY COWELL, 34, Library & Arts Communications Officer at City of Tea Tree Gully