The Srebrenica massacre in eastern Bosnia in July 1995 was one of the most horrific events of the violent break-up of the former Yugoslavia.
The massacre left more than 7,000 Muslim men and boys dead, the largest mass murder in Europe since WWII.
To mark the 15th anniversary of the massacre, SBS reporter Kristina Kukolja in 2010 set out to meet with survivors now living in Australia, some speaking for the first time about their experiences.
After three months working on the story and countless hours of phone calls and research, the finished result, "Echoes of Srebrenica," broadcast on SBS' World View program, highlighted the surprisingly prominent role of Australians in the continuing search for the missing and the identification of the remains.
Ms Kukolja spoke to those involved in bringing to justice some of those responsible for war crimes in Bosnia at the UN's International Criminal Tribunal.
Her efforts have been rewarded with a 2010 Walkley Award in the Radio Feature, Documentary or Broadcast Special.
Despite a stint in the public relations industry, she knew from a very young age that she wanted to be a journalist.
“As a little girl I'd dreamt of entering the media and got my dad to record me pretending to read the news.
"As I grew older I did a bit of research and looked at what would be involved. Initially I had gone to PR but what drew me back to journalism was the opportunity to tell stories,” she said.
But the road to a career in journalism also dealt her some unexpected turns. “I had actually in early 2008 been diagnosed with a skull tumour and had taken some time post surgery to recover. The post surgery recovery actually turned my career around.
“Coming back to Australia from Croatia I had commenced a masters degree in Public Relations so I had wanted to further my skills and knowledge in that area.
“Therefore, I credit the surgery and recovery period for this change in my career--- and I haven't regretted it at all,” she said.
For Ms Kukolja, this particular story was closer to home.
“What was particularly challenging for me was the fact that I am Croatian-- I was 12 years old when the war broke out--- so I have some memories of my time there. I spent a number of years there (so) there was personal connection.”
Ms Kukolja says she could not have done it alone and thanked the Deputy Executive Producer of SBS Radio News and Current Affairs Lindsey Arkley for his support and guidance throughout the production process.
“Being short listed - as clichéd as it may sound - is in itself an honour and an amazing moment of recognition....for the story, and it's one that needed to be told. This is a tragedy that they still live with and is part of their daily lives."
Ms Kukolja says she hopes the more people who hear this story, whether through the Walkleys award or any other way, will add to the awareness of the plight of the Srebrenica people.
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