Izel Gordon says thank you, Murray Bridge News

The last two months have absolutely flown by.

In such a short time, I’ve gained a world of knowledge from an incredible team, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have been part of it.

From day one of my work experience placement at Murray Bridge News, I felt like a journalist.

It was exciting to see the skills I’d learned at university finally come to life in a real-world setting.

I felt all the excitement of being assigned a news brief each morning, then getting to attend a press conference, interview someone in town, or lose myself in research.

But it all led to the stories I wrote for the community, and that was the most meaningful part for me.

It’s what every reporter hopes to do, and I was lucky enough to be able to do it from the start. 

What truly made this experience special were the people.

My mentors, Peri Strathearn and Jane Intini, were incredibly warm, welcoming, and encouraging.

They took the time to guide and shape me into being a better journalist.

Their professionalism and passion for their craft is something I will always aspire to.

Thank you both for every opportunity to learn, ask questions, and grow.

The Murray Bridge community was also endlessly kind and inspiring.

I had the chance to meet so many wonderful locals – people who were generous with their time and patient with me as I found my footing.

It was an honour to report on the experiences of a community I felt genuinely proud to be part of, even if only for a little while.

This internship has solidified my passion for journalism and deepened my respect for the work that goes into producing fair, thoughtful, and honest local news.

I like to think that I’ve grown quite a bit as a reporter and as a writer, and I’m deeply grateful for all the experiences Murray Bridge has given me.

Murray Bridge, thank you for welcoming me, teaching me, and inspiring me.

I’ll carry everything I’ve learned here into the next chapter, and keep telling stories that matter.