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 •

'I don't understand why anyone would do this': Police investigate damage to historic cave

Polcie are on the hunt for the vandals who broke in and damaged the treasured, 440 million-year-old Yarrangobilly Caves near Tumut, in NSW's Riverina. On Saturday, officers from Riverina Police District commenced an investigation after reports of damage inside a cave within Kosciuszko National Park. Investigators have been told between October 17 and 23, Jillabenan Cave which forms a part of the Yarrangobilly Caves was broken into and the stalactites and speleothems (straws) inside the cave were
The Daily Advertiser •

'Heartless' damage to Yarrangobilly Caves devastates locals

The "irreversible" damage done to one of the region's much-loved natural wonders has devastated locals as police hunt for those responsible. On Saturday, officers from Riverina Police District commenced an investigation after reports of damage inside a cave within Kosciuszko National Park. Investigators were told between October 17 and 23, Jillabenan Cave which forms a part of the Yarrangobilly Caves, was broken into, and the stalactites and speleothems (straws) were damaged. A NSW Police statem
The Daily Advertiser •

Exposure site notification change slammed as MLHD outbreak grows

Changes to the way coronavirus exposure sites are publicised during the Riverina's worst outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic have been slammed by residents. More than 170 new cases have been confirmed in the MLHD since Saturday across eight local government areas. Confirmed virus cases have been announced for Wagga, Albury, Greater Hume, Berrigan, Murrumbidgee, Federation and Murray River LGAs in the four days since. Members of the Wagga community have reported alerts appearing in their Service
The Daily Advertiser •

Damage to Yarrangobilly Caves 'irreversible' after vandals attack

The damage done to the treasured Yarrangobilly Caves is "irreversible" after they were broken into but police are on the hunt for those responsible. On Saturday, officers from Riverina Police District commenced an investigation after reports of damage inside a cave within Kosciuszko National Park. Investigators have been told between October 17 and 23, Jillabenan Cave which forms a part of the Yarrangobilly Caves was broken into and the stalactites and speleothems (straws) inside the cave were d
The Daily Advertiser •

Wagga man charged over fatal Olympic Highway crash

A man has been charged more than four months after a crash on the Olympic Highway that claimed the life of a motorcycle rider. About 7.15pm on June 14, emergency services were called to the stretch of road at The Rock, about 15 kilometres south-west of Wagga, after reports a Toyota had lost control and collided with a motorcycle. Officers from the Riverina Police District attended along with NSW Ambulance paramedics and found the motorcyclist, a 50-year-old man, critically injured. Despite attem
The Daily Advertiser •

Truck carrying orange juice swerves into dam after crash

Emergency services conducted a rescue operation after a semi-trailer carrying orange juice swerved into a dam following a crash with a car. At about 4.20pm on Monday, emergency services were called following reports a truck and a Toyota Hilux had crashed on Stockinbingal Road, Cootamundra. A NSW Police spokesperson said that the truck left the road and went into a dam on a nearby paddock following the impact. On arrival, officers attached to Riverina Police District found the truck partially sub
The Daily Advertiser •

MLHD investigating origins of COVID-19 case in Wagga

Health authorities in the region fear there could be undetected cases of COVID-19 in the community, as the Murrumbidgee Local Health District recorded 46 new COVID-19 cases. This followed the announcement at the weekend that a resident of the Wagga LGA had tested positive for COVID-19. MHLD chief executive Jill Ludford said the origins of the case in Wagga are still being traced, but at this stage, it is believed to be linked to the outbreak in Albury and Wodonga. She said this case, combined wi
The Daily Advertiser •

Riverina emergency services work to free men after truck, car crash

Emergency services are working to free two men that have been trapped after their truck crashed into a dam following a collision with a car. About 4.20pm on Monday, emergency services were called to reports a truck and a Toyota Hilux had crashed on Stockinbingal Road, Cootamundra. A NSW Police spokesperson said that following the impact, the truck left the road and went into a dam on a nearby paddock. On arrival, officers attached to Riverina Police District found the truck partially submerged.
The Daily Advertiser •

Wagga man battling cancer to be reunited with family in Queensland

A Wagga man battling cancer is one step closer to being reunited with his family in Queensland after weeks of trying to get a travel permit. In May this year, Doug Newman found out that he had stage four glioblastoma brain cancer. "The outcome of that could be terminal, and so my daughter wanted me to come live with her," he said. "I usually only see them once a year, so I thought it would be a good idea. "I have lived in Wagga since the long weekend in January 1987, and why not make a change no
The Daily Advertiser •

How to check your Service NSW app for COVID-19 exposure sites

The Service NSW App is now providing COVID-19 case alerts to assist with efforts in contact tracing. The identification of exposure sites have been part of state-wide venue tracking processes, which have then be posted on NSW Health's list of venues of concern. After it was revealed on Sunday that Wagga and Coolamon had both recorded a new case, the Murrumbidgee Local Health District shared the news about the new alerts. However some Wagga locations that have reportedly been identified have not
The Daily Advertiser •

MLHD records 46 new COVID cases, 79 per cent of district double-dosed

The Murrumbidgee Local Health District is urging the community to get vaccinated after 46 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the latest 24-hour period. Of the 46 cases recorded in the MLHD to 8pm on Sunday night, 41 have listed addresses in the Albury local government area and one in each of the Coolamon, Murrumbidgee, Greater Hume, Federation and Berrigan LGAs. On Sunday it was announced that a resident of the Coolamon local government area was among the new cases. However, the MLHD have confi
The Daily Advertiser •

How to check your Service NSW app for exposure sites

The Service NSW App is now providing COVID-19 case alerts to assist with efforts in contact tracing. The identification of exposure sites have been part of state-wide venue tracking processes, which have then be posted on NSW Health's list of venues of concern. After it was revealed on Sunday that Wagga Wagga and Coolamon in NSW's Riverina had both recorded a new case, the Murrumbidgee Local Health District shared the news about the new alerts. However some Wagga locations that have reportedly b
The Daily Advertiser •

Riverina businesses investigated for failing to check vax passports

Riverina police are investigating two businesses for allegedly not checking vaccine passports when patrons enter the venue. Under the current public health order, there are penalties of $5000 for businesses that do not take "reasonable steps" to keep out unvaccinated customers. Examples of this include having prominent signs stating requirements, Service NSW QR codes, staff checking vaccination status upon entry and only accepting valid forms of evidence of vaccination. Acting Superintendent Win
The Daily Advertiser •

Mayors urge vaccinations as Wagga, Coolamon records COVID cases

COVID-19 has been found in Coolamon for the first time and another case was detected in Wagga at the weekend as the Murrumbidgee Local Health District recorded the region's second-worst day of the pandemic yet. The MLHD announced 47 cases yesterday, with one a resident of Wagga, one of Coolamon, 38 of Albury and the remainder from Berrigan, Greater Hume and Murray River local government areas. Coolamon mayor John Seymour said with the first case being recorded for his shire, it just goes to show
The Daily Advertiser •

How Annette found a way to keep blooming against all odds

While the pandemic has brought its own set of challenges, a Wagga woman with a passion for flowers is still finding ways to help her business blossom. Annette tenBroeke started up the Riverina Iris Farm as a gift to her mum and now, years down the track its become her passion and side business. But, like so many other businesses in the region, the pandemic had dealt a significant blow. "I have only about 20 per cent of the visitors I usually get coming through at the moment," Ms tenBroeke said.
The Daily Advertiser •

Wagga, Coolamon residents among 47 of region's new COVID cases

Wagga and Coolamon residents are among the Murrumbidgee Local Health District's latest COVID-19 numbers, marking the region's second worst day of the pandemic. In the 24 hours to 8pm Saturday, the MLHD recorded 47 cases with one a resident of Wagga, one of Coolamon, 38 of Albury and the remainder from Berrigan, the Greater Hume Shire and the Murray River. No new exposure sites have been released by the MLHD. There has been a total of 302 cases and two deaths recorded in the MLHD since the start
The Daily Advertiser •

'Decades in the making': Wagga advocates welcome sexual assault law reforms

Wagga advocates have welcomed law reforms that shift conversations around consent "away from victim-blaming" in a move that has been "decades in the making". The reforms introduced to NSW Parliament earlier this week mean defendants could only prove sex was consensual if they took active steps to obtain consent. The proposed law is set to reinforce "the basic principle of common decency that consent is a free choice" involving mutual and ongoing communication and that it should not be presumed.
The Daily Advertiser •

Businessman donates kayaks to encourage water activities on Lake Albert

A businessman has donated kayaks to encourage the city's young ones and families to take advantage of one of "Wagga's greatest assets". George Cloros, a supporter of the Wagga Boat Club, wanted to see more people enjoying the "beautiful" Lake Albert, so he decided to do something about it. The founder of Redback Boots bought adult and children kayaks and donated them to the club to encourage more people to get out on the water. "I think of my childhood in Sydney, and we were always on the water,
The Daily Advertiser •

Man jailed after throwing mother off Snowy Mountains Highway

A man who threw his mother off an eight-metre embankment in what a judge described as an "extraordinarily frightening" act has been jailed for three-and-a-half years. Roger Phillip McGrath, 55, faced Wagga District Court for sentencing on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to taking and detaining the 76-year-old to commit a serious indictable offence, occasioning actual bodily harm. On February 2, McGrath's mother told him that she and her husband would be going on a holiday, and he would have to
The Daily Advertiser •

Force catches up to Star Wars jewellery thief

A woman who helped steal a jewellery display box from a Wagga shopping centre before smashing it open now faces extra time behind bars. Marika McKellar, whose listed address is in Orange, pleaded guilty to larceny and failing to follow a COVID-19 direction at Wagga Local Court on Wednesday. On August 8, McKellar and another woman entered the Wagga Marketplace without a face mask and did not use a QR code to check in. McKellar pushed a trolley against a display pod that housed jewellery from Pand
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