The Melbourne Press Club is pleased to announce the first story from the 2025-26 Michael Gordon Journalism Fellowships has been published.

The rising sea level in the Pacific poses unique challenges for Australia's oldest Muslim community. Freeland journalist Aleisha Orr travelled to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands to speak first-hand to the people affected in her new piece for SBS.

Orr's Michael Gordon Fellowship allowed her to tell a story that otherwise might not have gained the coverage and depth it deserves.

The story is now available to read here.

Further information about other recipients of the Fellowship in the 2025-26 round can be found here.