THEY say all good things must come to an end, and for me, that statement came true yesterday.
After almost three years here at The Bunyip, including almost a year as editor, I walked out of that iconic building at the top end of Murray St for the last time.
Don’t think for one second it was an easy decision, I can say with certainty it was anything but.
Over the last couple of weeks, as word got around about my impending departure, I’ve had a few comments from some of my regular contacts about this role and its demands, the burdens and the stresses.
Someone once said: “Heavy is the head that wears the crown.”
In truth, though, that crown has never been mine; it is nobody’s.
What I love most about newspapers is that it belongs to the community.
Putting together our 160th anniversary edition a couple of weeks back underlined that.
It is there to be a voice for those who would otherwise be voiceless, it is there to hold those who are in power to account.
But it is also there to shine the spotlight on those who would otherwise not seek it.
Like our volunteers or community groups or our forward thinkers.
It is there for our grandparents to read about how their grandkids got on in the football or the netball or the cricket on the weekend.
It’s there to find out about that latest development or what’s happening to that old building that’s sat vacant for months.
You might say I’m biased, but for me, truly, The Bunyip does this better than any other. It is hard to put into words just how much I love this newspaper and this town.
All I know is, this role has been the greatest honour, and having the task of telling your stories is a privilege I will always cherish.
I’m not one for goodbyes, though, so no doubt you will still find me around Gawler at some point.
But let’s just say ‘see you later’ for now. For one last time, thank you Gawler, for everything.