Justin Franks

 Intern, Project Co-ordinator

When Justin arrived in Australia from the USA, to intern with Vibewire in June, he had no idea he would be caught up in a historic Federal election two months later. When Julia Gillard announced the poll date for August, Justin and his compadre, Dan Talwar leapt into action and co-ordinated the logistics of the electionWIRE project under sudden pressure. Justin's cool approach and Michigan manners were in demand, as he liaised with the project manager, multimedia producers, talent, reporters, editors, supporters and contributors. If that wasn't enough to keep him busy, Justin also documented much of the project online and kept everyone informed as electionWIRE progressed.

Midway through the campaign, Justin braved the transition from behind-the-scenes to in front of the camera, and went all the way to Central Australia to find out what Australians thought about the influence of the internet on politics. Justin was joined there by electionWIRE reporters Meagan Weymes and Joel Philp and editor Rachel Maher and together they travelled the red desert looking for election stories. Justin provided logistical support and conversation on the long drives.

Justin returned to the States just before election day, to write his dissertation. He had to rely on the interwebs for news of the cliffhanger result and keep up with his new found area of interest: Australian politics. He says he most enjoyed "taking part in the daily morning editorial meetings, working with experienced professionals, being able to visit places I never thought I would and getting an inside look at Australian culture."