“Everyone is so nice and friendly,” Abby said.
“I introduced myself on Facebook and have been absolutely delighted with the response I have received from many readers.”
To begin her role at Cobram, the New Zealand-born former Perth resident had quite a journey, including driving across the Nullarbor Plain, an arduous distance of 3366km.
It was quite an experience, driving her little red Holden Barina sedan, filled to capacity with personal items and two special pieces of furniture, yet the 24-year-old, who shared the driving with her partner, Nathan Lattimore, a fundraising co-ordinator, enjoyed the adventure.
While relaxing after a term of driving, Abby picked up her laptop and comfortably positioned it on her knees to complete her final assignment for her journalism degree.
The journey took six days, with stops in Esperance, known for its pristine beaches and crystal waters, and later the beautiful city of Adelaide, which the pair loved.
Arriving in Victoria on the Sunday night before the Melbourne Cup, the couple enjoyed a comfortable night in a motel and the following day picked up keys to a rental property.
And life has been on a fast track ever since.
Abby began work on Wednesday, November 5 and her first published article was the following day.
Since then, she has written quite a number of articles in the Courier and is thoroughly enjoying every aspect of her role.
Abby studied two majors, journalism and podcasting, to gain her degree at Murdoch University in Perth.
She has always had a great Interest in every aspect of the media and during the past year undertook work as a volunteer at Vision Australia, where she produced and co-hosted a program entitled In Plain Sight, which received a Community Broadcasting Australia Award.
Abby also had a short stint writing for a daily newspaper, the West Australian, on general news, fairs and events.
It is the only locally edited daily newspaper in Perth and has been published continually since 1833.
As a little girl aged 10, Abby had big ideas. She was certain that she would become a pop star/singer, as many little girls do.
Disappointingly, she was to find out that she just didn’t have the voice.
However, it was at the same time that she wrote a book, and later a poem, titled Pressure, published when she was only 11, that she formed the idea of becoming a writer and now, after completing university, has reached the title of journalist, albeit a cadet.
“I have always loved writing poetry and writing for the Courier I now have an opportunity to learn about people and write their stories and feature articles, which I thoroughly enjoy,” Abby said.
Abby’s parents have recently returned to New Zealand after many years in Western Australia and the young journalist, who is thrilled to have secured her position with the Courier, acknowledged that “both Mum and Dad have been the driving force in my life and for that, I am grateful”.
If you see Abby when she is out and about, please say hello and introduce yourselves to her.
She is a bright, bubbly young woman who is interested in everything around her, most particularly the people of the town and district.
If you have a story to tell, contact Abby via editor@cobramcourier.com.au
29°C