IT ONLY feels like yesterday I rocked-up at the Mandurah Mail office for my first day.
Now, after more than a year at the paper, with a heavy heart, I bid farewell.
It’s been an interesting time, to say the least.
I have learnt a hell of a lot about my career and made multiple life-long friends.
There have been a few embarrassing moments, too.
I can fondly recall my first day as a journalist where I went to the trots with a fellow reporter.
We spent 20 minutes talking to a race sponsor who told us the winner of the race would get a free service.
Following the chat we asked a few of the regulars what ‘service’ was.
After watching them burst out laughing at our question, we were told it is where the trainer gets the sperm of the horse – which had been incredibly successful – and gives it to the other trainers.
You can imagine the looks on their, and our, faces.
Ever since then I have been introduced by my contact at the paceway as the ‘boy out of university who doesn’t know much about racing’.
Then there was the time I went to a croquet club in Mandurah and I called the mallet a stick.
That got a few laughs from the members.
There have also been some moments when I thought I was the luckiest person alive.
Sometimes in this line of work you get to interview some of the most amazing people.
In my time at the Mandurah Mail I have interviewed Olympic and Commonwealth gold medalists such as Betty Cuthbert and Dawn Frazer.
You don’t get to meet inspiring people such as West Australians of the Year David Flanagan and Lyn Beazley in most lines of work.
So with all this experience under by belt I now head to Perth.
I am not getting out of the newspaper game, so look out for my by-line.
So, with that, this really is the final say.
Thankyou, and farewell.
