Jay-Anna Mobbs is a third-year, journalism student from Charles Sturt University in Bathurst and for the next two weeks will be working with us here in the office, collecting and writing stories for our website and print newspaper.

If you see her around, say hey and if you have a great story tip, be sure to pass it on.

I asked Jay-Anna to write a jazzy introduction for you all, so I’ll let her take it from here.

Hi there. My name is Jay-Anna Mobbs. I am a Bathurst local who has been brought to Mudgee for work experience at the Mudgee Guardian.

Currently I am a third year journalism student at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst. What has brought me to Mudgee is a combination of many things, however what takes the cake is my love for country towns.

I have always found country towns more inviting and homely compared to metropolitan areas.

I find comfort in the sense of community that towns such as Mudgee have to offer, so it was obvious that I undertake work at the Mudgee Guardian.

A strength of mine would have to be that I am a people person. I enjoy getting to know people and having a good old chinwag which is definitely a benefit in the journalism world.

I also enjoy designing and writing as I take pride in how my material is displayed and read.

My weaknesses would consist of sometimes over complicating how I phrase sentences and muddling some words up. Therefore, it is a mission of mine during my time at the Mudgee Guardian to improve on this.

Oh, and I also love to put in lots of unnecessary commas.

On a personal note, I enjoy travel, dance, music and eating. It is a daily occurrence for me to live by the words, “Chocolate doesn’t go to the stomach, it goes to the heart.”

[Editor’s note: If you love chocolate, you’re spoiled for choice here.]

I also participate in the Black Dog Ride each year with the aim to share awareness of mental health and suicide prevention, particularly in rural towns. And before you ask, yes I ride my own motorbike.  

I am very quickly falling in love with Mudgee and all it has to offer. The landscape I find particularly attractive as well as how many options there are to get delicious food around here.

I will be in Mudgee for two weeks so if you see me out and about feel free to come up and say hello. Trust me, I am quite friendly so don’t be afraid.

I cannot wait to get to know Mudgee and all of its friendly faces.