As a lot of you may be aware already, I am the new editor of the Young Witness.
I have recently arrived from Parkes where I was sports editor of the Champion Post.
This is the start of my third week here in Young and something that has already struck me is the similarities between the two towns.
Both Young and Parkes have a very strong sense of community which is fantastic.
I have not had the chance to meet a lot of people in Young yet, but after talking to a few it is clear how much people love this town.
My first impressions are that I am going to love it here too.
People are very passionate about the various groups they are in.
Parkes is very similar.
My role in Parkes kept me in very close contact with the sporting clubs and I am looking forward to having that same closeness with the clubs in Young.
It is community spirit that is the lifeblood of country towns and it is that which sees towns like Young continue to exceed expectations.
That spirit has been evident to me just talking to people down the street.
Everyone has been ready with a “G’day” or “How are you going?”
Before I moved to Parkes, my wife and I lived in Maroubra.
No matter how nice the beach is, it does not compare to the great community spirit you get in a good country town.
We moved to Parkes because my wife has family there and we wanted to raise our kids in a country town.
My daughter Lilia was not yet one at the time and now only knows life as a country girl.
She is now nine and I have a three year old son Jenson.
They are still in Parkes with my wife Jane and will look to move down here at the end of the year.
Jane teaches kindergarten and did not want to leave her students mid-year and we didn’t want to take Lilia out of school halfway through the year either.
Country towns are the perfect place to raise children (except when it is continually raining) and my pair love the life.
Like most Aussie blokes, I love sport and will watch almost anything.
Over the years I have also played cricket, hockey, soccer and basketball while giving a number of other sports a quick go.
Now my sporting obsession is with golf and I currently play off a handicap of seven.
I follow Cronulla in the NRL and it is great to be able to say that without being ridiculed this season.
I am an avid Arsenal fan and will often get up in the early hours to watch them play.
As I said though, I will watch just about anything.
Currently I head back to Parkes on weekends to see my family, but one weekend soon I will stay so I can watch the ‘Pickers, Yabbies, Saints, Bears and Lions.
The team at the Young Witness and I are going through some changes which are very exciting.
Only last week we changed to a new system which will allow us to get out into the community more.
This new system will help us be more in touch with the community which should be great for all of us.
Having said that, I really encourage anyone with a story they would like us to tell to either email, call or come in and share it with us.
Don’t wait for me to get out and see you, pop your head into the Witness and say hello.
- Denis Howard, Editor
