1. Remembering the fallen 100 years on
One of my favourite, and most personal stories ever. I was contacted by a lady that was researching her families history and came across the story of Cecil Wise, who was a member of one of Tamworth’s foundation families and had gone off to World War I and not returned at the tender age of 17. As it happened Cecil now lays at Toronto Avenue Cemetery near Ypres, coincidentally only a few graves down the row from my great uncle Walter Bath. The story was that it was 100 years since these men fell and a local Belgian stranger had adopted Cecil’s grave and looked after it. While it is not in the story, the man heard that I was doing a story and now looks after Walter’s grave as well, even laying gum leaves on them every Anzac Day. Read about it here.
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2. Joe Stolker recieves a kidney transplant just in time
I have been following the amazing journey of Joe Stolker and Leonnee Pinchen-Martin for several years. In 2012 Leonnee received a life saving heart transplant, only to find out that her husband Joe was in need of a kidney transplant. Six years later Joe was considering making his own funeral arrangements when the “bitter sweet” phone call came through that a donor organ was available. I just found out this week that Joe is unfortunately back in hospital with rejection issues. Everyone at The Leader wishes him another speedy recovery and we hope to catch up with this incredible family of fighters in the new year with more good news. Read his story here.
3. A feature article on organ donation and Thank You Day
Organ Donation is a topic close to my heart, and this feature article might explain why. While I talked to several locals about what it meant to have their life saved by an organ donor, a perfect stranger, and what they do to thank them and their family for making that choice, the family I spoke to that made that decision was my in-laws. My wife’s brother David died in a pedestrian accident and I saw first hand what the act of organ donation meant to a family in the depths of grief. If you haven’t spoken to your family about your choices, do it this Christmas – It is the ultimate gift. Read about their incredible stories here.
4. Tamworth gets a McGrath Breast Care Nurse
This story marked the end of a successful campaign where the community teamed up and rallied with The Leader to fight for the services of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse. Caroline Manning and Trina Constable from Serendipity pointed me in the right direction and supported me all the way as we trod that fine line between criticising an amazing charity and gaining an invaluable service for our community. There was a few twists and turns but in the end we won and I believe Tamworth is a better place because of it. Read about it here
5. Not all heroes wear capes, but they do have awesome beards
This is a story that once again proves that good news is the best kind of news. Local cabbie, and all round good bloke, Ryan Newberry was waiting at the airport for a flight that would never arrive due to a radar outage in Sydney. Meanwhile a local family looked like missing out on a long awaited holiday to Indonesia because of the delays. One met the other, a 1000km fare, and the rest is history. The family had an amazing holiday, the Ryan had a handsome pay day (despite giving a major discount), and Tamworth loved hearing the yarn about the Cabbie Crusader. Read about it here
