From the tip of Queensland to the toast of the PR industry, Jondayah Martin’s rise to success is a testament to the power of education and opportunity.
Ms Martin (Class of 2019) spent her childhood on Thursday Island, until her education took her thousands of kilometres from the Torres Strait to attend boarding school at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Brisbane on a Yalari Scholarship.
After securing a Bond University Indigenous Scholarship, she studied a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Communications and International Relations.
During her studies, Ms Martin undertook an internship at leading public relations firm Bastion Amplify, formerly Promedia Public Relations, which offered her a full-time job upon her graduation in 2021.
Now she has been shortlisted in the top five for Best New PR Talent of the Year at the Mumbrella CommsCon Awards, with the winner to be announced in Sydney in May.
“I am thrilled to be shortlisted for the Mumbrella Best new PR Talent of the Year,” said Ms Martin, who works as an account manager and digital content creator.
“This achievement has left me feeling very grateful for the mentors I’ve had throughout my journey, the wonderful clients whose stories I’ve had the pleasure of sharing, and the opportunities I’ve been afforded in life thanks to my education.”
While at Bond, Ms Martin took advantage of many extracurricular experiences which helped build her skill set.
“I had so many amazing experiences and opportunities while studying at Bond that helped me develop the skillset I continue to utilise in my professional role today.
“A few highlights include traveling to New York City for the WFUNA International Model United Nations Conference (WIMUN), being a member and President of the Student Society for Indigenous Awareness and having the opportunity to co-host the 2019 Bond University Indigenous Gala.
“I am so grateful for the opportunities that I’ve been afforded throughout my journey, because I wouldn’t be in the position that I am without them.”
Next month Ms Martin will also attend Afterpay Australian Fashion Week to manage media.
“I'm also looking forward to working with media for this year’s David Jones Indigenous Fashion Projects runway, which is presented by our client the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation.
“As a Torres Strait Islander and public relations professional, I love whenever I get the opportunity to work with clients in the Indigenous sector.
“It’s great to have that full circle moment of coming from a remote community and now being able to work with organisations servicing regional and remote communities as well.”