Today, Friday 16 June, is my final day as a reporter with the Star Mail newspapers.
Since starting in October 2021, I’ve had the opportunity to cover what is essentially my own backyard, at times just 10 minutes away from where I grew up in Melbourne’s outer-east.
To say it is bittersweet is an understatement. Covering the Dandenong Ranges and the foothills hasn’t just made me a better journalist; it has introduced me to a sense of community like nowhere else I’ve been.
In my mother’s home country of Finland, we have something called Sisu. While it doesn’t have a direct translation in English, it means a stoic inner strength, and this same attribute is present throughout the hills.
Telling the stories of those kind enough to talk to me throughout this journey has been challenging, engaging and often a lot of fun. I hope I’ve done a good job at it, although that isn’t for me to decide.
I learned a lot about the area throughout this time and about myself as well. I’ve seen the way the local community banded together after the storms, covered state and federal elections and met many amazing people.
I’d like to thank the Star Mail for giving me my break in this industry, my legendary coworkers, editors and sub-editors I’ve worked alongside who have often kept me in check, and the readers of this wonderful institution for their continued support.
I might be biased, but your local newspaper is important. We need to keep telling the stories that matter on a hyper-local scale, keep the powers that be in check and continue to offer accessible information on the comings and goings of our neighbourhoods.
So while this is a goodbye — for now at least — I hope I’ve done my best to inform you all with public interest journalism to the best of my ability.
I’m off for another challenge and another adventure, but this chapter of my career will always remain in a special place in my heart.
Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.
– Parker S. McKenzie
