https://westgippslandrailtowns.au/news-articles/local-articles?format=rss&page=1&category_id=168 West Gippsland Rail Towns en Join us on the 4th Sunday of each month to witness the magic of Garfield Coffee & Cars and be a part of a tradition that is rekindling the love for classic automobiles in our beloved town. We are immensely grateful for the overwhelming support from our local community, and it's essential to emphasise that we do not condone reckless driving that could jeopardise the safety and enjoyment of this event for everyone else. Together, let's ensure that Garfield Coffee & Cars continues to be a safe and enjoyable gathering for all car enthusiasts. https://westgippslandrailtowns.au/news-articles/garfield-coffee-and-cars 091d584fced301b442654dd8c23b3fc9 Tue, 18 Nov 2025 05:55:41 +0000 Local Articles Moy-Yan's Media Makers: Four Local Women Keeping Community News AliveBehind three local newspapers are four dedicated women whose passion for storytelling, community connection and volunteering is helping keep local news alive across Garfield, Tynong and Bunyip.In a world increasingly dominated by social media feeds, online news sites and endless digital content, four local women are quietly ensuring that the stories that matter most to their communities continue to be told.Behind the pages of the Tynong Tabloid, Garfield Spectator and Bunyip and District News are four volunteers who not only keep local news alive but also help keep Moy-Yan Neighbourhood House thriving. Through their roles as committee members, governance volunteers, writing and computer tutors, Caroline Taylor, Linda Evans, Jenny Culell and Margaret Simmons contribute countless hours supporting community programs, strengthening local connections and creating opportunities for people to learn, share skills and build friendships.Together, these women represent something increasingly valuable: people willing to invest their time, talents and energy into building stronger communities. Whether through a local newspaper article, a writing class, a computer tutoring session or a governance meeting, each of them plays an important role in preserving the stories, knowledge and connections that make small towns thrive.Caroline Taylor: Telling the Stories That MatterCaroline Taylor has been editor of the Tynong Tabloid since 2017, not long after she moved to the area. As a professional writer and editor in her day job, she saw the volunteer position advertised and immediately recognised it as a meaningful way to become part of her new community."The newsletter was advertising for a new editor and I thought it would be a good way to get to know people," Caroline explains.What began as an opportunity to meet local residents soon became a passion for telling the stories that matter most to the people of Tynong."I enjoy hearing about the small stories that matter to people – the local businesses and events that people put so much into, the changes people want and the connections people make."Caroline believes local media fills an important role that larger media outlets simply cannot replicate."Local media is so important. It's independent, relevant and agile. We're not breaking world news, but that's actually a relief in today's news landscape."She points out that community newspapers often achieve something many mainstream publications struggle to do – genuine engagement."It's hyper-local. You might see your neighbour, or even yourself, in the paper. People get to know the businesses and organisations available to support them."One of Caroline's proudest moments as editor came during the devastating Bunyip bushfires in 2019. During a time of uncertainty and loss, the Tynong Tabloid became an important platform for local people to share their experiences."We got to pull together as a community and tell our stories, which was a huge part of processing what had happened and what was still happening months later."For Caroline, the experience demonstrated the true value of local journalism—not simply reporting events, but helping communities heal, connect and move forward together.Linda Evans: Building Community Through StorytellingLinda Evans has been involved with the Garfield Spectator for seven to eight years, almost since moving to Garfield nine years ago.Her introduction to community media came thanks to a suggestion from a local resident."Greg at Brewsters suggested I might like to attend a meeting or two," she recalls.That simple invitation led to years of involvement in one of Garfield's most valued community publications.Linda says what she enjoys most is communicating both current news and historical stories that help people understand the town they live in."Local newspapers are still very relevant, especially for older residents who aren't always comfortable accessing information online."Maintaining a printed publication remains important to her because it ensures everyone can remain connected to local events, achievements and opportunities.One of Linda's proudest achievements came when she and Jenny Culell took on the role of editors and successfully transitioned the newspaper's production to Canva."Getting our first edition on the streets and online after changing systems was a huge achievement. Jenny and I definitely had our L-plates on."Funding remains one of the biggest challenges facing community newspapers, according to Linda."Advertising prices need to remain competitive and finding content that appeals to a broad range of readers is an ongoing challenge."Despite those challenges, her love of Garfield remains unwavering."Moving to Garfield was a sea-change in my life. I've made so many friends here and love the friendliness of the town. Country people are so helpful, even to a newcomer."Jenny Culell: Connecting People Through WordsFor Jenny Culell, community newspapers are fundamentally about service.Having spent eight years involved with the Garfield Spectator, Jenny was originally motivated by a desire to contribute to her community and meet local people.That same motivation continues today.As co-editor of the Garfield Spectator and writing tutor at Moy-Yan Neighbourhood House Jenny's commitment to community engagement extends well beyond the newspaper.Jenny believes local newspapers provide two essential services: keeping residents informed and supporting local businesses."Local news and advertising for local businesses are incredibly important."Her proudest achievement has been learning new software programs and adapting to the changing technical requirements of newspaper production.Like many community organisations, Jenny acknowledges that recruiting volunteers remains one of the greatest challenges."There are a limited number of people able to help."Despite this, she remains enthusiastic about encouraging others to become involved."Do it. Volunteering is challenging and fun."Jenny says the thing she loves most about the local area is simple."The friendly people."Those friendships and connections are reflected throughout the pages of every edition she helps produce.Margaret Simmons: Finding Challenge, Purpose and BelongingMargaret Simmons has been editor of the Bunyip and District News since March 2022 and is also the computer tutor at Moy-Yan Neighbourhood House.Her path into community journalism began unexpectedly."I was having trouble getting a paid job and saw the ad for an editor. I thought I'd give it a go to keep my mind working."That decision proved life-changing.Margaret says what she enjoys most about the role is the challenge itself. Producing a newspaper requires organisation, communication, technical skills and a willingness to constantly learn.Her proudest moment remains publishing her very first edition."It was a great feeling seeing it all come together."Margaret believes community newspapers continue to provide something unique in an increasingly digital world."People often use the newsletter to find local businesses. It's also nice to read about local things and events that are happening."She acknowledges that competition from websites and social media has changed the media landscape."With more information available online and through Facebook pages, some people don't always look at a hard copy."However, she believes community newspapers continue to hold an important place because they foster genuine local connection."I've met some great local people and you feel a belonging within the community."For anyone considering volunteering, Margaret's advice is straightforward."Give it a go. The worst that can happen is you don't like it. I've had so much support that it makes the job easier."Keeping Community News AliveTogether, Caroline, Linda, Jenny and Margaret represent more than 30 years of combined experience in community media. Their work goes far beyond producing newspapers. They help document local history, support community organisations, promote local businesses, celebrate achievements and create opportunities for people to connect.At the same time, their contributions to Moy-Yan Neighbourhood House help ensure that community programs continue to flourish, from writing and computer tutoring to governance and strategic planning.In an era when many regional newspapers have disappeared, these four women continue to demonstrate the power of local storytelling. Their newspapers remain a trusted source of information, a platform for local voices and a reflection of the communities they serve.Thanks to their dedication, the stories of Garfield, Tynong and Bunyip continue to be written, shared and remembered—one edition at a time. https://westgippslandrailtowns.au/news-articles/moy-yan-s-media-makers-four-local-women-keeping-community-news-alive b2eb7349035754953b57a32e2841bda5 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:35:32 +0000 Local Articles