The Chronicle

THE first thing a young reporter stepping out on a journalistic career has to determine is what constitutes news, and what doesn’t. News might be the basic commodity of daily journalism but it is not easily defined. What might be news to one person might appear idle gossip to others or, worse, a piece of information so inconsequential that it is not worth talking or writing about at all. Many a cub reporter, starting out on the winding and tortuous road to a career in news, … [Read more...] about A nose for news

Sidney Bateson marched into the office of the Woking News and Mail and straight to the chief reporter’s desk at the end of the newsroom. It was as though he had already reconnoitered the office for his arrival, and knew the lie of the land. When he reached his desk, he put down his brown leather briefcase and then looked about him, surveying the landscape. He did not like what he saw. His eyes at first settled on John Gerard, and Bateson took note of his long wavy hair, … [Read more...] about A salute to the past

BILLY RUSHTON sat at his keyboard trying to figure out his next step. He had sat in the same seat for three days and had not written a word. Rushton had started at the Burnie office of the Chronicle on the Monday, and here he was on the Wednesday with nothing to show for his efforts. In fact, there had been no effort at all. Billy Rushton had been sent to Burnie fromHobartas the Chronicle’s latest addition to its far-north staff of two. He had replaced a high-flying … [Read more...] about A port in a storm

HOBART, LIKE other Australian capital cities, has its fair share of the homeless, the hungry and the poor. The city, though, has a fair sprinkling of citizens who make it their business to alleviate the suffering of those less fortunate than themselves. This public spirit manifests itself in many ways, most noticeably in Len’s Van that plies the Hobart streets after dark delivering food to people in need of a meal. Rain, hail or snow: nothing stops Len’s Van on its mission … [Read more...] about Charity begins at home

Jim Lawrence woke to find a flight attendant prodding his arm, asking him if he would like a cup of coffee. The flight from Heathrow, London, to Glasgow was a short one and he had never been offered coffee on it before. That was not the only unusual thing about this flight. The aircraft was an impossibly large one and not just coffee, but breakfast, was also being served. The sun streamed through the window on to his lap. It was harsh and strong and Lawrence could feel it … [Read more...] about A flight in drink’s slipsteam