The Daily Advertiser

January 2018 - December 2019 and September 2020 - Present

Baptism by fire. Those are the three words that I would use to describe my first full-time job in the field of journalism. My first two years in my dream role saw me build up the What's On round from scratch, take on the crime round, interview hundreds of people and write countless stories. It was incredible. 

It turns out I loved it so much I would return. I have recently returned to take on the role of the court reporter and features writer for The Daily Advertiser. 

The Daily Advertiser •

Crash at Old Narrandera Road intersection causes congestion

A car crash at the intersection of Old Narrandera Road and Colin Knott Drive is causing congestion and drivers are being asked to exercise caution. A NSW Ambulance spokesperson said a crew was dispatched to the scene just after 2.15pm on Friday. "It was reports of a two-car accident," they said. IN OTHER NEWS: "No one was trapped but we treated one person for a hand injury and minor injuries. They have not been transported to Wagga Base Hospital." Live Traffic shows that traffic around the inter
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Duplication of Gobba Bridge not supported in Wagga Transport Plan

A new roadmap for the future of transport in Wagga does not support the duplication of Gobbagombalin Bridge. Minister for Regional Roads Paul Toole visited the city on Friday to announce the release of the Wagga Transport Plan for community consultation. It includes the key findings of the Wagga Urban Highway Study that was completed in 2015 to 17, which Mayor Greg Conkey has been calling on the NSW government to release. "[The duplication of Gobbagombalin Bridge] is a project that is not recomm
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'Life-changing' experience at Wagga's first Recovery Camp

A survivor of child sex abuse has been a part of a "life-changing" initiative for those with lived experiences of battling mental health. Penny Bartholomew, 65, was one of more than 20 participants "roughing it" at Wagga's first Recovery Camp alongside health professionals and nursing students to get to the heart of the problems they face. The program is an evidence-based adventure initiative for two main groups: nursing students and those with lived experiences of mental health, including depre
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The challenges and triumphs of raising children with autism

THEY say it takes a village to raise a child, and that is especially true when it comes to raising a child with autism. To mark Autism Awareness Month, the families of four children on the spectrum have spoken candidly about their unique experiences. By allowing people a glimpse into their lives, these devoted parents hope to create a caring and supportive community in which their children can flourish. For one Wagga mother, her son with autism brightens her days, but it's the judgment and cruel
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Emergency services free person trapped after crash

Emergency services have freed a man trapped in a two-vehicle crash on one of Wagga's busiest roads. A NSW Ambulance spokesperson said the male driver in his sixties was rescued from the wreckage and taken to hospital in a serious condition. The road remains closed in a westbound direction. Tumut man Shannon Kelton witnessed the aftermath of the crash and said he thought the man was "lucky to be alive". Mr Kelton, in Wagga for a weekend visit, said he was on a walk when he discovered the scene, w
The Daily Advertiser •

New affordable housing complex for Temora on the cards

A new affordable and accessible housing estate for seniors, people with accessibility issues, and lower income earners could soon be on the cards in Temora. Mayor Rick Firman said council identified a hole in the housing market for people who could not afford large builds but did not meet the requirements for social housing. Council purchased the land in Apollo Place in 2018 and put out an expression of interest to developers who might have been able to assist and Argyle Housing responded. "Coun
The Daily Advertiser •

Wagga woman wins second runner-up at Sydney Royal Showgirl contest

The old adage of "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again" certainly holds true for one Wagga woman. Kate Webster first entered the Wagga Showgirl competition in 2017 and was unsuccessful. But, she entered a second time and took out the title. After then competing in the zone finals, Miss Webster was due to head to the 2020 Sydney Royal Easter Show and then the pandemic hit. But just last week, Miss Webster finally made it to the Sydney Royal Easter Show and took home the title of second r
The Daily Advertiser •

Riverina cattle fraud case delayed due to 'complex' nature

The court case for a Riverina cattle breeder accused of defrauding farmers of more than $2.5 million has been delayed again due to it's "complex" nature. Corey Dean Ireland, of Kyeamba, has been accused of multiple counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception. The matter was mentioned in Wagga Local Court yesterday, but Mr Ireland was not required to appear. Madeleine Mulvaney, a solicitor for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, asked Magistrate Christopher Hal
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Wagga man broke the law, then uploaded it to TikTok

A young Wagga man who accelerated to 164km/h on a country road has described his own actions as "an idiot's behaviour". On Wednesday, Baily Steed appeared at Wagga Local Court and pleaded guilty to driving recklessly or furiously in a speed or manner that is dangerous. The 20-year-old committed the offence on November 14, but was caught by police after uploading a film to social media. On February 25, a concerned resident sent officers the TikTok video from Steed's account, which showed him sitt
The Daily Advertiser •

'Offer on table' for Wagga woman charged with murder

The woman accused of deliberately lighting a fire at a Kooringal home, which killed another woman trapped inside, has had her case adjourned after an offer was put on the table. Jennifer Louise Hay, of Tolland, was charged with murder in 2020 following a 15-month police strike force investigation into the fatal blaze on the morning of February 25, 2019. It claimed the life of 36-year-old Kylie Green, who was inside the Tichborne Crescent home with another woman at the time. While the other woman
The Daily Advertiser •

Seven-year-old Mikayla's goal to help children battling illness

When seven-year-old Mikayla Arentz saw children her age battling cancer, she decided to do what she could to help. The Wagga girl spent a lot of time at Ronald McDonald House while her younger brother was undergoing surgery for his bilateral cleft lip and palate. "I am cutting my hair to give to the kids with cancer," she said. "When my brother was sick, I saw a lot of kids that had cancer and didn't have hair. "I thought because my hair is already long, I should cut it and give it to someone."
The Daily Advertiser •

Riverina GP calls for transparency around rural vaccine rollout

A Riverina GP has welcomed the news that Pfizer vaccine rollout will be made easier as vials are now more stable. But, he has called for greater transparency around the plan for remote areas. The Therapeutic Goods Administration has now approved wider storage and transportation conditions for the Pfizer vaccine to enable greater flexibility in storage, transport and deployment. While longer-term storage at dry ice or ultra-cold temperature is still required, for unopened vials, storage and trans
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Riverina publicans call for beer tax cuts amid COVID hangover

Riverina publicans are adding their voice to calls to slash the pubs and clubs' beer tax to help the sector recover from the COVID-19 hangover. The Brewers Association has called for a 50 per cent reduction in the tax paid on beer in pubs and clubs. The submission also states that if the government is unwilling to cut the excise on beer, it should, at the very least, freeze the rate where it is at the moment and stop the current automatic increases every six months. Thirsty Crow brewer Craig Wea
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Wagga's young women learn empowerment through movement

Wagga's young women have been taught how to feel empowered through movement in a school holiday workshop. Shyamla Eswaran and Jes Subba from the Bindi Bosses conducted two workshops at the Civic Theatre as part of the FRESH 2021 program. "It's all about self-empowerment and we use cultural dance styles from around the world to help people bring out their inner confidence," Ms Eswaran said. "It's been so beautiful to see that happen with the girls here." Ms Eswaran said the Bindi Bosses is a cont
The Daily Advertiser •

Man escapes jail time after assaulting teenager

A man has avoided prison time for assaulting a teenager in central Wagga last year. The Mount Austin man appeared in Wagga Local Court on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. On July 27, the teenage victim was walking home after spending some time with the defendant's daughter when the 39-year-old pulled to the kerb and jumped out. Documents tendered to the court said he moved towards the victim in an aggressive, violent matter shouting at the victim "I to
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'Legend of steam': Residents, visitors ride Locomotive 3801

Rail history was recreated at the weekend as hundreds of Wagga visitors and residents took their turn riding on a "beloved" steam train. The Locomotive 3801 was built in 1943 and retired in 1962 but was kept for heritage service until 2007, when the need for major boiler repairs saw it no longer able to run. For 12 years, volunteers lovingly restored the train, and it is currently on its first regional tour since being finished. Wagga local Jayden Allen was snapping pictures of the famous steam
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'Delays nine times out of 10': Calls for faster upgrade of XPT

A former Wagga woman is calling for faster upgrades of the regional train services, after experiencing "constant delays". Jessica Lee Canty moved to Melbourne in 2016 for university and work but used the XPT to come and visit her family and friends. Not having a driver's licence and the expense of flights means her only option is the train. "The main issue is delays, and that is nearly every time," Ms Canty said. "It is probably one out of 10 trips that it runs on time and as a complete train se
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'Anyone can do it': Wagga couple ready for trip around Australia

A Wagga couple is packing up their bags, trailer and getting ready to live their dream of travelling around Australia. Ellee Stedman and Jonathon Scanu, known to most as Joss, have spent months saving and building their camper set-up in preparation for their big trip. "It's about getting out there and exploring everything this country has to offer," Joss said. "I have never even been to Queensland, South Australia or Northern Territory. "We would also like to make a move next year potentially, s
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Gold Cup set to bring 'sense of normality' back to Wagga

Wagga's most prominent racing day is set to return for 2021, bringing a "sense of normality" with it. The carnival starts on May 6 with the Town Plate and then Gold Cup Day on May 7. Murrumbidgee Turf Club CEO, Steven Keene, said preparations are coming along well. "COVID seems to be at bay for the most part, and we are excited for a big couple of days," he said. "In a typical year, we get between 7000 to 8000 people, and we can accommodate that under the current two-square-metre restrictions. "
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Campaign to 'even the score' in Wagga's local politics

Wagga women are being called on to help "even the score" in local politics. Less than a quarter of serving councillors and mayors on 128 councils in New South Wales are women. Cassandra Coleman, president of the Australian Local Government Women's Association and a councillor at Lithgow, is campaigning to empower and inspire women to throw their hat in the ring. "We are here to encourage as many women as possible to stand in the upcoming elections in Wagga," she said. "We have a diverse range of
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