NEWS Of The Area this week would like to recognise one of its original reporters for its Medowie & Tilligerry version. Simone Johnson, has announces her decision to tackle a new opportunity.

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Simone started writing for News Of The Area one day after her 19th birthday, when the Medowie paper was being advertised as ‘the new paper in town’.

At the commencement of her employment with News Of The Area, Simone was doing a degree in communications, and was majoring in journalism.

She was also volunteering at 2NURFM, writing news bulletins and making voice grabs for radio.

She then picked up a law degree, changing to a double degree of communications and law.

Simone has spent the last six months working three jobs with News Of The Area, the local Salt Ash BP and a variety store job, all while studying for her double degree.

In June, she was accepted for an internship at ABC Newcastle from a field of over 160 people.

Simone will commence this internship in October.

Simone was then selected by Southern Cross Austereo this month, as one of fourteen of 160 applicants to go to their media bootcamp in Newcastle.

At the boot camp, participants took part in in-studio news reads, mock breakfast shows and reading advertisements on air. Simone should find out within the week if she was also successful in gaining a position with the Southern Cross Austereo Network.

Simone started interning at radio station 105.3 NewFM this week, working with the breakfast producer to produce content for their daily show, which she is hopeful will turn into a full time job.

Simone told News Of The Area, “I am extremely thankful to N.O.T.A. for giving me my first opportunity to be a paid journalist at just 19 years of age.”

“I’m excited for my future, and hope to do some form of content production or media law.”

“I am not completely set on where I want to end up, I just want to take all of the opportunities as they come,” she said.

The team at News Of The Area wishes Simone all the very best as she embarks on this new journey.

By Rachael VAUGHAN