Tom Cowie is a journalism student without fear, favour or shame. Currently completing his final semester of a journalism degree at La Trobe University, Tom is slated to leave the warm bubble of tertiary studies on June 7, 2010.
CAMPUS LIFE
During his studies, Tom spent four months as the editor of online student publication upstart. He has also been published at Online Opinion, The Punch and the National Times.
He has also travelled to Kuwait, where, as a part of a student delegation, he gained some insight into reporting in the Middle East. Most recently he has spent time as an intern at Crikey, where, apart from collecting the coffee, he covered a range of events, including the South Australian election and the Hey Dad! controversy.
It’s safe to say Tom made an impression in the small newsroom at Crikey, especially when his piece about the Hey Dad! scandal was mentioned by Lisa Pryor in the opinion section of the Sydney Morning Herald.
THE CRUST
Tom has slugged his way through student poverty with the help of a number of late-night Melbourne establishments. Possessing a sure hand behind the taps, Tom has poured thousands of beers at such varied pubs as The George Hotel, the Dan O’Connell, the Templestowe Hotel and The Castle Hotel.
He has also spent a number of years working for his father’s business, Wangara Poultry & Game, where his various roles involved working with freezers, phones and Photoshop.
AFTER DARK
When he is not working or studying, Tom has a number of different hobbies:
Writing – Apart from occasionally maintaining his blog, Tom also likes to try his hand at (very) amateur songwriting. Be warned, however, it is best not to ask for a song, Tom is prone to treating such requests with a punch in the face.
Music – Tom’s favourite band changes from week to week. He does have a more permanent fondness for a few bands including Arcade Fire, Black Cab, The Greenhornes, Grizzly Bear, Paul Simon, Radiohead, The Rolling Stones, The Shins, The Sonics, The Sunnyboys, Talking Heads and Wilco.
Politics – While Tom does confess to struggling to wake up for Insiders (it is Sunday morning, can’t we all agree to move it to a time after 12pm?) he does enjoy the cut and thrust of Parliament House.
Travel – Tom recently spent four months travelling around South America. During his trip, Tom hitchhiked through Uruguay, visited the infamous San Pedro prison and attended a River/Boca Juniors soccer match. He also trekked to the tourist traps of Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. Tom is very interested in adding more stamps to the passport.
Motorcycles – Despite the protestations of his mother, Tom occasionally rides around town on a vintage ’72 Honda CB250. His mum shouldn’t really be worried, the bike is an antique and rarely gets over 100 km/h.
Sport – Tom originally entered his studies with aspirations of becoming a sports journalist. Apart from following Essendon in the AFL, he enjoys (Test) cricket, rugby union and soccer.
Hot Rods – Tom grew up in a family of fuel-guzzling V8 roadsters and coupes. He had no choice but to be infected by the car bug.
