Seven West Media has announced Madeline McKeown as the recipient of the inaugural David Leckie Seven Scholarship Program.
The annual program was established back in September 2021 to honour the memory of former Seven West Media CEO, David Leckie.
The program offers a 12-month scholarship at Seven West Media for a junior graduate with a passion for sales, programming or news.
Applications were judged by David’s wife Skye, and their sons Harry and Ben, along with Seven West Media executives.
The family said in a statement: “Harry, Ben and I were thrilled to be involved in the selection of the recipient of David’s inaugural scholarship.
“The candidates were outstanding, however, there can only be one recipient. Madeline is a very accomplished young person and we felt that she will really excel in her experience at Seven. The scholarship will cover all facets of a highly successful business and Seven is a fantastic place to work and to learn.
“David’s first love in his life was always TV. He was so passionate about all aspects of it. Davo was a tough taskmaster, from the old school, and if you didn’t ‘stack up’, you knew about it! That made people strive to achieve and improve.”
“We felt in our discussions with Madeline that David would be very please to welcome her to his team. We wish her all the best and encourage her to take advantage of everything that is offered by Seven.
“We are so grateful for this legacy to honour David’s life and we look forward to watching Madeline’s success – and we will never forget David’s mantra about his competitors: ‘When they zig, you zag!'”
James Warburton, Seven West Media’s managing director and CEO, said: “David was a wonderful mentor and colleague to many of us at Seven and the David Leckie Seven Scholarship Program is a fitting tribute to his legacy and memory.
“Madeline is smart, motivated and keen to learn and grow in the media industry. I know David would have been very impressed by her and would have been a great mentor and support. Like everyone at Seven, I’m very please to welcome Madeline and I look forward to seeing her career with us flourish.”
David Leckie has passed away after a long battle with illness on July 21, 2021.
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Top image: Skye Leckie, Madeline McKeown and James Warburton