On Monday, July 1, the Mixed Probus Club of Goolwa was privileged to have as its guest speaker Michael Simmons, the editor of the Fleurieu Sun, The Times Victor Harbor, and The Islander newspapers.
It was extremely pleasing to see a man so passionate about and so totally involved in his vocation.
Michael has lived all of his life in Victor Harbor, attending the local schools and playing sports there, thus gaining a huge amount of local knowledge over the years.
His dad was the town butcher with shops in both Victor Harbor and Goolwa.
Michael always had a love of writing and after his marriage his wife, being a wise lady, literally pestered him into trying journalism, and so began a career that became very successful.
After attending a mature-age exam at the old Wayville Showgrounds Hall and then going on to do a communications degree at the Magill Uni SA, plus a Batchelor of Arts degree, Michael was offered a part time job at The Times Victor Harbor.
He worked casually while finishing his uni degree, and was then given a full time position as a journalist.
Michael quickly became very much aware and fond of the many community groups and the vital roles they play.
He spoke very highly of the many sporting clubs and others such as Rotary and Lions Clubs, who work tirelessly to raise money for various projects all over the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Although he has had over 21 years in journalism, his ongoing passion for his vocation was quite evident – even though he admits to not enjoying the changes in IT programs and the changes of ownership of the various newspapers which brought about huge challenges.
The Times has been in publication for over 110 years and had previously been losing support, so when he was offered the position of editor of The Times plus a new paper called the Fleurieu Sun, Michael did not hesitate to accept the role.
Under his leadership the papers have grown and flourished into what we all are able to enjoy reading today.
They are available from Aldinga, Seaford, Cape Jervis, Langhorne Creek, McLaren Vale, Strathalbyn, Goolwa, and Victor Harbor, to name a few.
The subjects covered are numerous, from sports, community events, and local council activities, to TV programs, advertising, and real estate – too many to mention.
The group congratulated Michael and his team for providing each week an attractive, informative paper that we can all relate to and find something fascinating to read over a cuppa or two or even three.
Michael was thanked for an intriguing insight into what is involved in putting out these papers for the communities.
