On Wednesday, November 8 the community is invited to drop in for cake to farewell Val and wish her good luck as she takes on a new role as the North Coast administration manager for Fairfax Media. 

Val often jokes that she has been in the office longer than the furniture. 

Since 1991 Val has worn many hats while working at the Camden Haven Courier including as a sales representative, advertisement manager and in administration. 

During her time at the Courier she has witnessed some major changes.

“I’m going back to the days when we had black and white film,” she said.

“It was quite an event for us when we changed to colour and then we actually got to put colour in the paper.”

Val said there was nothing worse in those days than going out to do an appointment and discovering there was no film in the camera. 

“You can’t recreate it,” she said. 

Val said there was also no way of previewing the photo to check if people had their eyes open. 

“Digital has made a big difference,” she said. 

For the last 15 years Val has headed the front line of the Courier office and has been the first point of call for anyone who walks through the door. 

“We get lots of characters who come through the door,” she said. 

“That’s what makes it interesting though because everyone is so different.” 

Val said she always goes out of her way to treat everyone with respect because she believes you often get it back. 

She has enjoyed working with many different staff members during her time at the Camden Haven Courier. 

Outside of work Val loves to do gardening, eating out for dinner, fishing and spending time with friends and family.