Hi Everyone,
It’s hard to believe that by the time you are all reading this I will have shared the stage with the Premier of Queensland David Crisafulli at the official launch event for Hinchinbrook Life Newspaper.
I am writing this in bed on Wednesday morning before I join my work colleague Trish on the four drive to Ingham where the event will be held this evening.
I’ve met David a few times now, in fact earlier this year he presented us with the award for Best Free Newspaper in Queensland at the Queensland Country Press Awards.
He was the Leader of the Opposition then.
I met him again when Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm invited him to the region in August. It was then that I planted the seed about our new newspaper Hinchinbrook Life.
At the time, I knew he would be interested because he was from Ingham originally and had started his career as a cadet journalist at the local paper.
It was early October, just before the State election, that I asked Amanda Camm to forward David a formal invitation to the launch of Hinchinbrook Life, but as expected, I received no response.
After the election, I sent another email, this time it was to the Premier.
Again, I received no response.
Then, when I was in Ingham a few weeks ago I received a call that changed everything – it was from the Premiers department – he wanted to come to the launch!
A few hours and 10 phone calls later, we had formally confirmed the Premier’s attendance at the official launch party this evening.
There is no doubt we have been pretty lucky with this invite – the fact that the Premier is originally from Ingham and also started his career as a journalist definitely worked in our favour! – even so, this is a big opportunity not only for Hinchinbrook Life and Life Publishing Group, but also to shine the light on all regional newspapers and I am very excited to be part of it.
Rach
Quote of the Week: “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work” (Thomas Edison)