In the last decade and a bit, (off the top of my head) we’ve stopped a diesel-fuelled power plant from being established, welcomed music superstar Ed Sheeran to town (and to #comebackforacurry in 2018), supported our own through tough times battling cancer or homelessness, given a helping hand to people who needed the spotlight on them to further a wider cause, covered the heart-wrenching sad news, cheered for sporting teams and barracked hard for a young boxer who now wears a Commonwealth Games gold medal around her neck – we even threw a street parade for her!

I, my predecessors and colleagues, have worked to ensure local news comes first and, importantly, in its many colours, textures, shapes and forms. Stories and issues big and small, because all of these matter. They build our sense of identity living in the Camden Haven.

Without the Camden Haven Courier, a career in this industry, the people I’ve been fortunate to share this journey with and learn from, I would not have met the ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things. Theirs are the stories that matter most to me. 

Courier has always been an advocate for its community and that has been key to its success both in readership and as a vital marketing tool for local businesses. It’s the same with our sister Fairfax publications, most of which I’ve worked on over 18 year in the business. Of course in this era of click-bait and ‘fake news’, I hope you’ve found real news on these pages weekly and on our website daily.

There will be a new journalist in the chair next week, Peter Daniels, who will remain until the permanent senior journalist is announced. I’ll be stepping into the world of freelance writing, getting creative, taking on a few gigs lined up and seeing where that takes me and my family. If you’re interested, like my Facebook page @K8Dwyer01, I’ll be posting some future fun there. 

- Kate Dwyer