Isolation diaries part 29: Don't dream it's over

By Andrew Johnston

Jun 15, 2021

They come, they comeTo build a wall between usYou know they won't win

I DON’T have an isolation diary for you all this week, but I do have something I have to write about.

On Thursday, after the better part of four years, I am finishing up my stint at the Riverine Herald.

It’s been a fantastic time here, and I really want to talk about some of the best things that have happened to me.

I moved here from Tasmania in late 2017, a journalism graduate from the University of Tasmania looking for his first proper job as a journalist.

A friend of mine in Shepparton texted me and said there was a job going in Kyabram that I should apply for.

I applied, but didn’t get the job.

But when one of the sports journalists at the Riv moved on to a new job, I got a phone call asking me if I wanted to interview for it.

Three weeks later, I was living in Echuca.

My first story was about Rochester cricket for the Campaspe News. My first big story was later in the week when I got to meet the great Neale Daniher, the former VFL/AFL player and MND crusader.

From there I have written stories about every sport I love – and a hell of a lot of sports I had never even heard of.

I’ve had the opportunity to meet some huge sporting names, work with some great athletes and tell some fantastic stories.

That’s all well and good, but more than that, I’ve got to work with so many local clubs and athletes and that’s what I have mostly been excited by.

I’ve loved getting to tell their stories, reporting on their lives and careers and getting to be a part of this community.

I’ve been blessed to work with some of the best people, and to spend time with some amazing members of our community.

I’ve loved every moment of it.

Working through COVID-19 with our local business and tourism community was a challenge, as we all battled to get things moving, but I was happy to try and get those stories told and to try and help out where I could.

Those will probably be the things that stand out to me.

Now, I am at the end of the journey and moving onto another, which will keep me here in Echuca-Moama.

And I’m glad that’s the case because I really do love it here. I love this community and everything it has to offer.

And I love the Riv.

You’ve got a great paper here with a team devoted to you and your stories.

Embrace them, and embrace journalism because it matters.

Your stories matter, and there are so many out there yet to be told.

I look forward to seeing them each day when the paper comes out.

I hope for success for everyone, especially our sporting clubs mid-season who I won’t get to cover to the end.

I hope to see a few grand final wins, and hopefully I can make it out there to watch them.

But for me, that’s it.

On to a new challenge.