How to resolve AdBlock issue? 2026 Walkley Opportunity Scholarship recipients get career boost through SBS and Newcastle Herald
JOURNALISTS Jan ‘Miko’ Figueroa-Holt and Saskia de Leeuw Kyle are the recipients of this year’s Walkley Opportunity Scholarship with SBS and the Newcastle Herald.
The scholarships provide two aspiring journalists of any age with an opportunity to work in a metropolitan newsroom for a 10-week placement. These placements are intended for individuals who identify as coming from a socio-economically disadvantaged background.
Mr Figueroa-Holt will undertake his 10-week placement at SBS in Sydney, and Ms de Leeuw Kyle will head to the Newcastle Herald. 
Miko Figueroa-Holt is an emerging journalist and photographer based in Brisbane (named Magandjin by Traditional Owners). His work has been featured in the Museum of Brisbane’s New Light Photography Now + Then exhibit. Mr Figueroa-Holt is a volunteer contributor for the 4ZZZ Radio newsroom and publishes independently on social media.
Saskia de Leeuw Kyle is a RMIT journalism student who aspires to enter the political correspondent landscape. She is in her first year and is currently the secretary of the RMIT Journalism Society. Alongside this, she works as editor-in-chief of Evanescence literary magazine and volunteers at the Victorian Women’s Trust.
The SBS judging panel said, “Miko combines strong journalistic potential with a thoughtful, grounded perspective. He has pursued journalism with determination despite limited access to opportunities and while balancing paid work, study, family responsibilities and volunteer reporting.
“What stood out was his understanding of what makes a good story, his genuine curiosity about people, his commitment to telling stories that inform and connect communities, and his ability to approach complex or sensitive issues with care, fairness and research.
“His experiences as a Filipino-Australian who has lived in both regional and urban communities give him a broad understanding of different perspectives and a clear sense of the value of diverse voices. Through the 10-week placement at SBS, we hope Miko gains the hands-on newsroom experience, practical skills, mentoring and confidence that come from working alongside experienced journalists.”
The Newcastle Herald judging panel said, “Reviewing the applications for the Walkley Opportunity Scholarship gave us immense confidence in the future of our industry. The applicants’ talents and passion for storytelling in all forms were outstanding.
“Saskia impressed us with her curiosity, enthusiasm for journalism and her desire to help the audience understand how decisions at all levels of government affect them. She has always dreamed of telling stories that matter, particularly in regional communities where local voices need to be heard, and her drive to use political journalism to create real impact is inspiring.”
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