What do you do at the Guardian? My role for a long time was design and layout as sub-editor but in the last year or so I moved up to a new position as Group Digital Journalist for Western NSW. Which means that while I'm BASED in Mudgee, I help 17 other sites including Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo with their entire digital output. Things like social media, the website, Instagram and everything in between. It's my job in 2017 and beyond to help those sites move into a way of working and thinking that's digitally focused, leaving behind old habits and making great online content that locals want to read, watch and share.
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Why the Mid-Western region? Mainly because I've lived here my whole life, people came to know me as a face of the Guardian while I was sub-editor. Despite now being in a role where I cover most of NSW, I find people still come to me with news tips and comments to report on or pass to other people.
What do you get up to on the weekend? It seems like the area always has something new to do. If it isn't a new restaurant I discover or just heading to The Drip for a swim, there is loads to do if you're willing to look.
Favourite thing about working at the Guardian? I've been here a long time but mainly it's two things. Being able to travel around with my job to other towns and work on exciting projects and the other is informing and communicating with the community about the news and things they like and want to see.
Best memory of the region? Anyone that's been here for a long time would know how much the town has changed. It wasn't that long ago we were getting fitted for school shoes at Kellet's or trying on new shorts at Fossey's. For better or worse (I think better) the town has moved forward and grown in such a way that leaving town once you finish school isn't the clear choice it used to be. A lot of towns get stuck and never move forward. Mudgee isn't one of those thankfully.
What's your tip for using social media? It's almost impossible to give just one tip for using social media. If I could say one thing it's know your audience. Know what they want to see, know their habits and what they like. You can't give people stuff that doesn't interest them and wonder why things aren't going great. Also, break the rules, try new things and don't be afraid to fail. Most importantly though, have fun. Relax a little and don't take things so seriously.
