Letter from the editor

Merry Christmas, and here’s to a brilliant 2022, even living with Covid!

Welcome to issue 71, our 2021 Christmas issue.

This issue once more brings you a variety of articles and some great Christmas specials from our advertisers.

Over the last six months the newspaper has gone from strength to strength with improved content focused on our local region and local issues. In achieving this we have been fortunate in having the guidance of Michael Thomas, a former professional writer, journalist and editor with over 40 years newspaper and magazine experience. Thank you so much, Michael, for your input and mentoring.

The LOCAL news will be adding new staff writers to our editorial team in 2022. This means even more great news and features about our local community, written by locals, starting with articles in this issue by our first recruits, Sheree Hoddinett and Alistair Gray. Sheree brings a wealth of experience as a freelance feature writer as well as having been a journalist on regional newspapers, including the Sunshine Coast Daily. Alistair is well-known locally for his participation in Bribie Island Rotary club, and will be using his years of experience in business management and specialist subject writing to add in-depth insight into topics of local and regional interest.

Our fishing feature has been expanded to two pages, with new contributors Roger Brown from Brisbane Boat Buyers and game fishing expert Albert Threadingham joining Anthony Cass (Pelagic Hunter) to bring you a whole range of fishing-related topics. Roger will be supplying you with handy tips to keep your boat and rig well maintained, while Toorbul-based Albert, a well-known game fishing weighmaster and club identity, will keep you in the loop about competitions and game fishing in general in our local region.

And there’s more to come in ‘22 as we strive to deliver local Moreton Bay region news and community activities to your doorstep, free and in an independent newspaper format that everyone can access! We are only able to do this with the support of our loyal local advertisers; the health and growth of our whole local and regional economy depends on them, so in turn we ask you to help them prosper by supporting them. And remember, you can purchase all your Christmas pressies locally!

Enjoy spending your time this Christmas with family and friends and enjoy the start of 2022.

Warm regards

Belinda Ferguson