From the Editor: 2016 has been a busy year for the newsroom
As we stand on the cusp of a new year, we are all changed somehow.
Letter from the Editor
2016 has been a busy year for the newsroom.
As we stand on the cusp of a new year, we are all changed somehow. Each year brings with it the potential for more; more good intentions, more promises, more challenges, more wishes – and somewhere, in the middle of all this more-ishness, we forget to live.
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I’m sure you’re looking back at this year wondering where the time went, as we all are. Politically, environmentally, and even socially, 2016 has become infamous globally as ‘the year we wish we could forget’.
Yet in between all the bad news and negativity, there are moments which shine through, restoring what we love about humanity in our pocket of the world.
While social media exploded with tales of racism, anti and pro-Trump campaigns, the deaths of influential and popular personalities and more, Newcastillians quietly went about their business.
We have had so many fantastic stories from our little town this year – stories of bravery, in the face of danger; stories of a town united, of residents coming together for the protection of each other, and stories of the homeless given hope through the kind actions of our citizens.
There is not one single story which has appeared in the pages of this newspaper that we can single out as being a favourite, because they all meant to much to us.
The journalists of the Newcastle Advertiser and Newcastle Sun come to work each day, excited to be here. They are proof of the saying that if you’re passionate about what you do, it doesn’t feel like work.
Together, we have survived many personal and professional challenges. From staff changes to heartbreaking news which we have to cover, to keep you informed, we have seen our share of the bad, as well as the good.
But at the end of the day, we come together and get it done. As with the best organisations, one person is only as strong as the team behind them.
So I will take this opportunity to thank my journalists and editorial team, who never say no, and who stand by me through the good and the bad.
Bruce, Zianne, Tersia, Quinton, Zesuliwe, Payal, Chantall and our beloved sub-editor, Eugenie:
Thank you for allowing me to lead you. Thank you for your support, encouragement, bravery and hard work. I could not ask for a better, more talented team.
Thank you, also, to our Advertising and Accounts department, and manager George Meyer, for allowing us the freedom to be creative and always, always strive for more.
‘I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something.’ – Neil Gaiman.
Be safe, and have a wonderful festive season! We will see you in the New Year.
