Journalism Society Names New President

Lily Kristanto on what this year holds for JSOC

JSOC President, Lily Kristanto (Photo: supplied)

Lily Kristanto became the new President of RMIT’s Journalism Society Friday, March 31 after former-president Loughlin Patrick stepped down earlier this month.

After her appointment to the role was announced via press conference on March 20, Kristanto told The Swanston Gazette she sees collaboration as a priority for the Society in 2023.

Kristanto also said the Society will focus on cross-club collaboration, professional development and media industry partner days.

“I think this year in particular, we are hoping to create a lot more collaborations with other groups or entities amongst RMIT, especially the creative ones,” Kristanto said.

“I think it would be really useful for our students to get representatives from Channel 7 or Channel 9 or SBS.

“Kind of like a workshop to see what they're looking for or what it's like to work in the industry - I think that'd be really beneficial for us and kind of that next step to get a bit more insight.”

Metissa Ayria was announced as the new Vice President on March 31, after a week of competitive applications.

Previously Kristanto was the Society’s Vice President.

JSOC Vice President, Metissa Ayria (Photo: supplied)

Ayria said she shared Kristantos’ focus on collaboration going forward.

"I'll continue to advocate for the society as a community space within this course, where Media and Communication students can collaborate and bring their talents and ideas to the table," she said in her incoming statement.

The change in leadership comes after former President Loughlin Patrick announced his resignation during the press conference held on Bowen Street, March 20.

This is the fourth consecutive year that JSOC has seen a disruption in its leadership.

“I’m the society’s first president to resign since it started in 2013, but some others have not served a full term - the Society’s last three presidents were relieved of their duties,” Patrick told The Swanston Gazette.

“I’m proud to have tackled the society’s mismanagement and service delivery issues, and am confident its executive team is empowered to maintain the society’s success this year.”

When asked why he stepped down from his position as Journalism Society president, Patrick said that rebuilding RMIT’s only journalism club post-COVID was something he was proud of.

“[We] had the pandemic, the mismanagement, all of it, I had to rebuild it from square one,” he said.

“So to answer your question, I've done that, it's been rebuilt.”

The former President added that he was ‘busy’ and committed to a number of different priorities.

Since a new leadership team was assembled last September, the Journalism Society has provided social events and professional development opportunities for Journalism students.

So far this has included a discounted radio training at SYN Media, student-led coverage of the 2022 Federal Election, and meet-and-greets with Pizza provided.