End of an era as Herald bids farewell to Colleen

It’s the end of an epic era for the South Coast Herald, one that will never be matched.

Colleen Haggard has recently retired after nearly 34 years with the company, 20 of these as editor.

ALSO READ : Take a stand

There isn’t enough space in one newspaper, let alone one article, to write about the immense contribution she has made to the Herald – and the community – over the years.

She started in the mid 80s, in the days of typewriters and black and white photos, bringing with her the experience of having worked on fast-paced dailies.

Colleen soon made her mark as a hard-news journalist and photographer.

She was able to connect with people from all spheres of life, from the youngest child to the most senior of citizens.

Her empathy was always evident, and she spent hours listening to people tell her their stories and tales of woe.

She had a great eye for a photo and an exceptional memory for people’s names.

She also had an incredible knack for remembering events like birthdays and anniversary dates, even when some married couples she was friendly with had forgotten!

When her predecessor, Linda Hooper emigrated to Australia in 1999, Colleen was the obvious choice to step in as editor.

She has been at the helm for the past two decades, putting together the paper, and working long hours, sometimes at great personal sacrifice.

She has put together probably 1,000 papers, and checked and double-checked tens of thousands of pages.

The Herald’s status as a multiple award-winning newspaper is due in no small part to her fearless endeavours and commited efforts.

Colleen has passed on all her knowledge and tricks of the trade to the journalists who have worked alongside her through the decades.

Many have moved on, as is the case with a small town paper, but some have stayed. All have benefited from her guidance and from seeing her at work in the editor’s chair.

Colleen identified talent and gave some a chance they may not otherwise have had.

It would be difficult to calculate just how many lives she has touched…but it’s a lot, across all walks of life.

A quick look at her Facebook account shows the high esteem in which she is held in the community.

The management of Caxton, her staff and colleagues all wish Colleen the very best in this new phase of her life. She thoroughly deserves it.

TRIBUTES

LINDA HOOPER (former editor)

When Colleen arrived for a job interview at the South Coast Herald, I instinctively knew she would not only be a tremendous asset to the newsroom – she would also one day replace me as the editor.

What I did not know then was how much I would grow to love and admire her fearlessness, compassion, high principles, work ethic and oh, that beaming smile and hearty laugh!

Colleen had that rare ability to extract information from the person she was interviewing in the nicest possible way.

She was brave in the most challenging of situations and her determination to uncover the facts and present them in an objective but engaging way was a real asset.

She was never afraid to shine the light on injustice but similarly, she also gave much-needed publicity to those in need.

As everyone knows, Colleen has the biggest heart! Congratulations on your retirement, Colleen – hopefully you will now have time to visit me in Oz!

JUDI DAVIS (former journalist)

I have been privileged to work with Colleen at the South Coast Herald for more than 30 years.

We share so many Herald memories – happy, sad, exciting, scary and often exhilarating as we were members of an editorial team that really loved what we were all doing.

Colleen and I were more than colleagues, though, and I greatly value the wonderful friendship I have shared with this very special person.

ALSO READ : OPINION: ‘Thank you Herald for the great coverage’

I still remember the day when Colleen, an enthusiastic, trendily dressed, dynamic, young reporter, joined the editorial team.

She spent a couple of hours trying to figure out how to switch on her (ancient, manual) typewriter, quickly made friends with virtually everyone at the Herald, then impressed us all with the energy that we soon learnt was a hallmark of her style.

From day one she was a vital presence in the newsroom and a thoroughly dedicated journalist.

She has amazing people skills and the ability to empathise with people from all works of life, so it didn’t take her long to become a much-loved member of all sectors of the South Coast community.

A fearless but ethical and fair reporter who always looked at all sides of a story, she brought these qualities to her new role when she was appointed editor.

She is totally lacking in any sort of prejudice and has always been a great champion of all who fought against bigotry and discrimination in any form. She adores children and is a devout advocate of children’s rights.

Her colleagues’ children love her – even those who now have children of their own.

Check out her desk drawer and you would always discover a secret cache of sweets kept there for any visiting children.

They always left the Herald office with a sugar high and covered with Colleen’s lipstick kisses!

As a reporter and an editor she has mentored many young reporters and has helped them to realise their potential.

I know this dedicated, talented, highly respected and much-loved newspaper woman will be greatly missed at the Herald but I also know she will approach this new chapter of her life with the energy and enthusiasm she has always brought to her career.

I wish her health, happiness, success and a happy retirement.

WALLY ARCHER (former production manager)

So it’s your turn now. How quickly it comes hey? Once at age four Christmas couldn’t come fast enough and then suddenly it comes around every week or so it seems.

I remember you starting in the Herald’s editorial department way back in my mind, always smartly dressed and not a hair on your head out of place. Bet that’s how it is still!

Then when Linda Hooper left for Down Under you were appointed editor, a position you have so professionally held up to this big moment.

Thank you for always being supportive of us in the production department in our endeavours to produce the best looking regional newspaper in South Africa.

It was always rewarding to see your smile and even when things came off the rails at times, your sense of humour made it easier.

Retirement is an amazing thing.

Do you remember the articles and advertisements we made in our features covering this topic? How many pictures showed a retired couple sitting on deck chairs in the sun with a glass and a slice of lemon wedged over one side and always smiling so serenely?

Well it does not happen! There’s too much to do.

The greatest thing to look forward to is doing what you want to do at your own pace without DEADLINES!

Thanks Col for everything and have a good one. Whatever you do, enjoy it!

BEVIS FAIRBROTHER (former manager)

Sadly, dedicated ‘old hacks’ (as we tend to refer to ourselves), like former South Coast Herald editor Colleen Haggard, are rapidly becoming a dying breed.

To Colleen, journalism was never just a job, it was a way of life.

Perhaps those left behind at the Herald are better off than most in a profession that some might argue has become somewhat compromised.

The current team will have all had the benefit of Colleen’s passion which has kept the newspaper at the top of the local media chain for decades while she was at the helm.

Her many proteges all bought into her ethos and it remains a newspaper one can trust.

Community organisations and many South Coast people will surely hold her up as their personal champion.

She was fearless in exposing the rot when necessary (often to her own personal detriment). But her integrity, ethics and fairness could never be questioned.

That makes her a rare breed in today’s complicated media world which is plagued by ‘fake news’ and compromised journalists.

I’m proud to call her a friend… and fellow ‘retired hack’.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram

To receive our FREE email newsletter, click HERE