The editor of Kinglake Ranges News, Ashley Geelan has been working hard in the background over summer.
After passing many tests and modules required by various entities and working with other media outlets – and with thanks to La Trobe University – Geelan is now a fully-accredited, certified and press pass issued journalist for the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB), Ambulance Victoria (ASV), Victoria Police (VICPOL/VKC), Air Services Australia (ASA), Parliament of Victoria/State Government, State Emergency Service (SES), VicRoads, Public Transport Victoria (PTV), Magistrates’ Court, County Court, Supreme Court, High Court (Cwlth), Federal Circuit Court (Cwlth), Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
“Geelan has been working hard over the uni break to achieve [his] aims and he’s put in a lot of work at his own expense to pass these modules and tests,” a La Trobe University lecturer said.
We understand our nearest online competitor holds no such credentials. Never has. These are required, and essential, to be able to – for example – cross police lines, enter a fireground, interview pilots on the tarmac at Tullamarine Airport, or enter State Parliament as part of the press gallery.
At the end of 2019 Geelan will be the only online journalist in Murrindindi Shire qualified by university degree.
Geelan first filed reports for Leader Newspapers (Preston Post-Times, Northcote Leader and Diamond Valley News) on 19 August 1994 at 16-years-of-age.
Well done mate