Flying blow starts a colourful story for determined Sunny Coast journalist
Jarrod Tutbury was still in high school when he first took off towards a career in aviation.
He completed his Basic Aeronautical Knowledge unit through CQUniversity’s Start Uni Now initiative for secondary students, but plans crashed to earth when he failed his red-green eyesight test.
The determined Sunshine Coast student didn’t stay grounded for long though – and now he’s soaring with a new career telling colourful stories.
Jarrod has just completed his CQUniversity Bachelor of Arts, focused on journalism, communication and creative writing.
“I’ve always enjoy creating stories and digging up information and presenting it in a way that people can get excited about – and that I get excited about!” Jarrod said.
He’s also juggled four years of studies with a successful music career, as pianist and manager for Noosa funk/pop band Ampersand, and in his role programing buskers for Noosa's Hastings Street Business Association.
“My studies have been so helpful for my music, promoting the band and releasing our debut single, and also getting creative grants to help pay for our recording,” he said.
“I’ve been playing piano since I was four, and studying communication has helped me realise how that hobby can be part of my career, too.”
Last year Jarrod also completed an internship with ABC Sunshine Coast, and said his studies helped him hit the ground running.
“The internship was very practical, the ABC teams basically said, here’s your kit, go and make stories! So I was scripting news, and interviewing people at an outside broadcast, and had a story about rental prices air on national television,” he said.
“It was all fascinating for me, and I especially loved working in radio, and just coming up with new stories every day.”
Jarrod is also making the most of local opportunities, writing for online music press Yelo, recently publishing a story in the Eumundi Voice about how to start a band.
Ampersand's debut single Originality has had more than 20,000 streams on Spotify - and was recorded with support from the Federal Government’s Regional Arts Fund Quick Response Grant.
Jarrod also led Ampersand to receive a Regional Arts Development Fund grant from Noosa Council to fund 2024 recording projects, a music video and the launch event for their full EP.
“I’ve lived on the Sunny Coast for 11 years, and it’s a really great place to be a creative, and to tell stories!” he said.
“Especially with music, there’s so many musicians here, probably more per capita than anywhere else in the country!”
Jarrod said his colourful approach to storytelling was inspired by a former CQUniversity lecturer, Dr Celeste Lawson.
Dr Lawson’s sudden death in 2023 left CQU staff and students shocked and saddened, and Jarrod said she left a big legacy.
“She was so generous with her advice, and her teaching – and really had that experience of how to tell a story,” he said.
“I remember she once shared some feedback, that I should be throwing my hook and my pitch together as one…and I’ve used that ever since, to really grab people into the story.
“Honestly, every technique I’ve learnt at CQU I’ve used so much, and really put them into practice straight away with my music career – so I know straight away that they work!”
Jarrod hopes to continue freelancing after graduation and is training with ABC for future opportunities.
CQUniversity Head of Course for Professional Communication Dr Amy Johnson said Jarrod’s adaptable approach was a vital skill for young reporters.
“Journalists need to be connected to their communities, and ready to ask creative questions, and be really strategic about how they get their stories into the world – those are skills we’re passionate about teaching at CQU,” she said.
“It’s exciting to see those skills tested through internships and work placements, and for CQU students to prove their abilities and enthusiasm.”
Explore CQU’s Communication, Digital Media and Arts degrees now.
