Raquel Stevens

We enjoyed a stellar turnout for the Daylesford and District Community News Association (DDCNA) Annual General meeting on Wednesday evening.  DDCNA is the publisher of The Wombat Post. The event was held at Victoria Park, and despite a few minor hiccups, Rotary came to the rescue and the event went ahead with minimal fuss.

DDCNA President, Hal Swerissen delivers the Annual Report. (Photo Raquel Stevens)

President Hal Swerissen delivered an inspiring update, highlighting the online news service’s growth and robust performance over the past year. “Since January, we’ve welcomed 127,000 visitors and recorded 186,000 page reads on our website,” he said. He also noted the publication’s healthy budget, setting the stage for a vibrant and productive 2025.

Hal credited the Wombat Post’s achievements to the steadfast support of contributors, local politicians, the Hepburn Shire Council, and the dedicated editorial team. “It could not happen without the loyal and hardworking contributions from the community, local politicians, Hepburn Shire Council, regular columnists, and editorial board members.”

The Wombat Post also received regular contributions from local Councillors including Hepburn Shire Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, Cr Lesley Hewitt and Cr Jen Bray.

Indre Kisonas (design), Clive Hartley (wine), Victor Szwed (weather), Petrus Spronk (art, philosophy, stories, humour), Tanya Loos (nature) and Morgan Williams (art) contributed monthly columns. Diane Beddison (gardening) contributed a popular gardening column on a seasonal basis. Mark Rak has contributed quarterly real estate market reports and articles on local planning issues. Raquel Stevens (Burrow Banter, Daylesford Duo), Lesley Hewitt (book reviews) and and Margaret Hodge (nature) made regular contributions. Dudley McArdle contributes weekly “Notes from the DNC” and also authored a series on domestic violence. Trevor Shard edits podcasts linked to Burrow Banter and Lesley Hewitt’s book reviews.

The Wombat Post is very grateful to all of its regular contributors who provide a wonderful and reliable variety of local colour and content.

The evening was capped off with a captivating and entertaining Q&A with award winning journalist, Cameron Stewart, from The Australian newspaper.

Cameron discussed his time in Washington DC covering the first Trump administration from 2016 to the recent re-election.  He entertained the audience with tales about living in Mike Pence’s house and describing the die-hard Trump supporters he encountered at numerous rallies across the country. He thoroughly enjoyed his time covering the most recent election campaign as he travelled across the US finding out why Americans have re-elected a convicted felon with such a chequered past.

“It was wonderful to see so many Daylesford locals come along to the talk,” Cameron said afterwards. “I was impressed by how engaged and knowledgeable they were about American politics and what Donald Trump’s election win means to Australia.”

At the AGM, a new Board was elected for the Daylesford and District Community News Association:

  • President: Hal Swerissen
  • Vice President: Tim Bach
  • Treasurer: Mark Rak
  • Secretary: Dudley McArdle
  • Committee Members:
    • Robyn Rogers
    • Raquel Stevens
    • Andrew Gallagher

In concluding, Professor Swerissen said, “We look forward to collaborating again on a weekly basis, and bringing the Hepburn community more up to date information and inspiring stories in 2025.”

A podcast of Cameron Stewarts’ Q&A with Raquel Stevens is available on the Hepburn Radio Soundcloud.

 

Raquel Stevens is a former Network Ten News Journalist. She has been a part time local for more than 25 years, and one day hopes to be a full time local.