General News
12 November, 2025
When it’s you that matters
A FEW months ago, amid the flurry of preparation of the books after the end of the financial year, there was another task waiting on my desk.
That was to select stories to enter in media awards. Not my stories, your stories - stories that mirrored the our local communities.
You see, as your local newspaper, we’re a partner walking with you every step of the way. Whether it’s an issue, a news story, an event, celebrating an achievement, your news is our news.
That means our story in this week’s Loddon Herald about honours received from the Rural Press Club of Victoria last Friday is one of awards for you and your communities.
The entries for the Rural Press Club awards - the club has been bringing together journalists in country Victoria for 59 years - were accompanied by a statement that said our aim is also to reflect what is happening in every town across the more than 6000 square kilometres of the Loddon Shire. We are, after all, your local newspaper.
The stories over 12 months to last June that stood out in my mind. The State Government’s emergency services tax has angered people across our communities for the impost it will have on farmers, business owners and homeowners.
The furore when local heroes were airbrushed in a national rescue award had to be reported. That those Wedderburn heroes were eventually recognised was correct and proper.
Bringing people together to secure the return of the former aged care hostel in Pyramid Hill to the community or raising awareness of plans for the Inglewood streetscape.
These are at the grunty end of being a proud local newspaper.
But not everything is what you might call hard news. There’s the community events and activities that the Loddon Herald promotes.
An old journalist once said that on a country newspaper, you also have the role of being a town’s unofficial public relations officer.
The flow of information is a two-way street. In truly mirroring communities, picking up the phone to the local newspaper in advance remains vital to recording tomorrow’s history today.
There’s a wonderful strength in that connection that has seen our communities recognised through awards to the Loddon Herald.
Of all those honours, to be named the Rural Press Club’s community champion is perhaps the greatest accolade any country newspaper can receive. That’s what we are here to do ... champion for great and better things.
By Chris Earl