The funeral for the 52-year-old was on Monday, December 17 at Innes Gardens Memorial Park in Port Macquarie.

Anthony was born on January 9, 1966 in Laurieton. He lived with his mother Ina, father Preston and two older siblings Vicki and Michael. 

Anthony started his career at the Camden Haven Courier when he was 17-years-old. 

He was employed after the editor at the time Laurie Sullivan recruited him from off Bold Street. 

Anthony wrote in a 2014 article that the adage of ‘who you know’ might have applied, as his dad ‘Press’ worked at the Courier. 

Anthony didn’t have a degree from university but he said he was ‘moulded into a journalist with an interest in all things community’.

Anthony married his wife Lisa in 1990 at Port Macquarie. He worked as a journalist for the Port Express, before moving to Newcastle in 2000 to be editor at the Star.  

Kate Dwyer was at the Camden Haven Courier for 13 years and worked closely with Anthony. 

Kate first met Anthony when she was 15-years-old. 

“We were in a play as part of Jig Saw Studios in Port Macquarie,” she said. 

“I played the handsome prince and he was the hairy godmother. 

“He kindly helped all the younger actors through their nerves with his signature cheeky sense of humour.”

Kate said Anthony had a way of making anyone feel at ease in his presence. 

When Kate started work experience at the Port News, Anthony was also a journalist there who worked on the Port Express paper. 

“He was the life of the newsroom,” Kate said. 

When Kate found out Anthony was moving home to Laurieton to care for his mum in 2012 she ‘jumped at the opportunity to have him join the Camden Haven Courier’. 

“He was a generous person and would prepare memorable morning teas for the team,” she said. 

“His genuine interest in people came through in his many stories.”

Anthony taught Kate that ‘no one should hide their true self from the world and to let your crazy shine’.

“I will miss his sense of fun and the way he could make people around him feel valued,” she said. 

Anthony’s niece Shelley Watts described her uncle as ‘very charismatic’ and a 'word smith’, who made everyone around him feel loved. 

Shelley said she had a ‘special bond’ with her uncle, who supported her throughout all her successes. 

Anthony wrote in 2014 his niece Shelley ‘is making history at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games as a female boxer’.

“Dedication and drive mean more to me than anything, so the result makes no difference,” he said. 

Anthony was 52-years-old when he passed away last week, due to complications from an infection. 

His mother Ina also tragically passed away last week.

Ina worked as a typist for The Courier in the late sixties and seventies.