Well the ABC came a-knocking yesterday, asking Yours Truly about my new role at Barkly Regional Council.

In case you haven’t seen me walking around town in a Barkly Regional Council uniform, or missed my staff profile announcement on the Council’s Facebook page announcing my new position, OR for the many of you who are friends with me on social media – notice the update in my professional information – yes I am indeed the new Media and Communications Officer at Barkly Regional Council.

ABC’s Lee Robinson phoned me yesterday and implied my new role had a sinister tone to it.

I can assure Tennant Times readers that is far from the truth. I decided to apply for the role late last year when I realised Australia Day celebrations may not happen in town as the Media and Communications position had been vacant since April 2022.

I have always worked closely with the person holding that position over many decades, and knew that role also encompasses event organising and public relations.

It was this reason I decided to take up the challenge, and managed to pull off, may I say, a pretty successful Australia Day event with the help of many Barkly Regional Council staff including Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin, Sports Coordinator Tom Machin and the entire Sport & Rec team.

Another reason I took the role was from a financial standpoint with the Tennant and District Times.

The Tennant Times has a history spanning over 45 years, and since the demise of many small regional independent newspapers, we also struggle to stay alive.

Add to that rising interest rates due to inflation and the extra cost of living, a second job seemed like a necessity. And for me, what a perfect opportunity to take a role that allowed me to come home to Tennant Creek – a town I’ve had a long association with for 27 years.

I am a former Tennant Creek High School student, and my son as ol’ Nashy says “is one of the last BITCHs” (Born In Tennant Creek Hospital).

As everyone knows in Tennant Creek, we always come back. But Barkly Regional Council is not the only news in the Barkly.

There are so many good things happening in the Barkly community I can now cover thanks to be based here right in town.

I thank my many supporters who have cheered me on since my return to town the week before last Christmas, and I thank the Barkly Regional Council for allowing me to learn the ropes of local government and continue doing what I love.

I also thank the fantastic colleagues I work with, and especially the Tennant Times’ trusty roving news reporter Catherine Grimley who continues to attend the many events around Tennant Creek.  

This article appeared in  Tennant & District Times, 3 March 2023.