For centuries, newspapers have been strongest when firmly entrenched in their communities, their staff members living and breathing the neighbourhoods and districts they represent.
In the News’ 145-year history, it has drawn from its community; not only for its stories, but also for its staff.
This year, another three bright, young cadets joined the News staff, continuing a long line of trainee journalists to start their careers with the McPherson Media Group.
Each of them, in their own way, reflect the Goulburn Valley community, particularly the migrant story, and bring with them their own connections and experiences that will assist with the News’ coverage of the region.
Caleb Francis reflects the changing demographics of the region and Shepparton in particular.
His parents Jerome and Amanda decided to emigrate from South Africa to Australia when he was 15 years old for Jerome to take up the role of priest in charge of St Augustine’s in Shepparton.
Although born into a diverse African heritage, Caleb says Shepparton’s own multicultural hue has rounded his character.
“I feel I've become more open to different things, living in a place as diverse as Shepparton,” he said.
“People from other countries, people who have lived here all their lives, and the school that I went to also, it was really good and it moulded me, Notre Dame. I really enjoyed my time there.”
Caleb’s ambitions to be a journalist germinated as he submerged himself in media and world affairs.
“I've always enjoyed reading, and reading the news particularly, and current affairs, so I have the BBC on almost every day, the ABC when I moved here, but yes, I have an interest in reading and writing and learning about the things that happen around the world and in our community as well,” he said.
Djembe Archibald once had ambitions of a stage career and her name would have suited that, especially given Djembe (pronounced JEM-bay) is also the name of an African hand drum, but when journalism came calling, it had perfect timing.
“Journalism really clicked because I’d always been reading the news,” she said.
“I always had the news app since I was 16. I was like an old man every day, and have my coffee and read the news, and I always love to tell stories, but I wasn't very good at creative writing.
“It all just fell into place. I was like, ‘Oh, that makes sense’.”
Djembe went to primary school in Kyabram before the family moved to Coomboona, north of Ardmona, and concluded her schooling at Goulburn Valley Grammar School in Shepparton.
Her family also has a migrant tale to tell: her parents, Julie and Bruce, emigrating from Scotland before they had children.
Jay Bryce was born into a media family — his father, Richard, is a former editor of the News and his mother, Terri Cowley, is an editor at Outback Magazine — but that did not mean an entry to journalism was a foregone conclusion.
“People assume that my parents were very encouraging. They weren’t,” he said, laughing.
“As I grew up, both my parents kept telling me, ‘Don't get into this’.”
An interest in the profession kept festering though, and after some study at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, the opportunity to return home and take up a cadetship fell into place.
“I was able to appreciate a lot more of the great things about Shepparton once I left,” he said.
“I realised it’s a pretty great town, pretty great place to have as your home town and I felt really comfortable coming back here. So I guess it allowed me to connect more with Shepp and also to be around with my family.”
Jay represents yet another aspect of Shepparton’s migrant story, with his father originally from Canada.
Jay’s story converged with so many others in Shepparton while attending Goulburn Valley Grammar School and also McGuire College.
“McGuire was fantastic. Obviously a very, very diverse school. So that was huge for me to mix with a lot of different people from so many backgrounds. So yeah, I loved that,” he said.
“McGuire felt like I got to know Shepp a lot more and then all those connections, I've taken with me.”
All three have negotiated their respective school journeys in the shadow of COVID-19 lockdowns and home schooling, which is sure to be a topic they revisit many times as their fledgling careers take flight.