AFTER almost two years at Newspaper House, journalist Rhett Burnie has departed for pastures new.
Rhett began at Newspaper House in December 2009, reporting predominately for The North Central Review
In 2010 he began reporting for Newspaper House’ Macedon Ranges edition of The Free Press and continued to report for The Review.
“The experience I have gained at Newspaper House is invaluable and the friends I have made here are brilliant,” he said.
Rhett said his early days at Newspaper House were “a bit nerve racking” but his colleagues, and a number of community member, had made him feel very welcome.
“I began at The Review after a brief time away from journalism and was handed the task of reporting on the first anniversary of Black Saturday.
“It’s such an emotional subject and I wanted to do my best to be respectful with the way I reported on it.
“So many people allowed me to interview them in the wake of such a large scale tragedy. It was humbling and I’ll always be thankful for that.”
Other stories Rhett said he will remember covering include the announcement, and subsequent debate, over the now defunct plan to build a Kilmore Link Road, the plan by the Coalition to build a bypass of Kilmore and Wallan, and interviewing Prime Minister Julia Gillard at the opening of the rebuilt Broadford RSL.
“The Link road was a huge story for the area. Everyone had an opinion on it and we did our best to report all sides of the argument.
“Interviewing the PM was definitely a highlight!”
Rhett’s departure sees him join Australia’s largest newspaper group, News Limited, where he will report for the Hume Leader. He has also accepted a casual weekend position as a TV reporter for international news company NTD News.
“I’d like to thank the many people I’ve dealt with during my time at Newspaper House and thank them for supporting these great publications. People here really embrace their local newspapers and I think that’s a testament to how passionate the community is about local issues,” Rhett said.
Newspaper House reporter Amy Hume will fill Rhett’s position.
To contact Amy, call 5734 3344 or email < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >.






