Today marks the final day of the year for the team here at Parra News.
What an extraordinary year it’s been, dominated once again by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns.
Our community was tested like never before in 2021, literally locked away from the rest of Sydney as the term ‘Areas of Concern’ rocked our livelihoods and day-to-day lives.
I suspect COVID-19 will be dominating the headlines for some time yet, but hopefully 2022 offers a bit more certainty and normality.
The lengthy lockdown may have threatened to destroy our spirit, but the community rallied and enters the new year with hope and optimism.
We were determined to continue publishing our print edition and digital news service through the lockdown, and I’m proud to say that we didn’t miss an issue despite the challenges it produced.
It’s vitally important that free, local news remains accessible to the community and I’m thrilled that we’re able to do that through Parra News each week in print, and daily online.
I’d like to take the opportunity to thank some people before we wrap up for the year.
Firstly a huge pat on the back to our team here, headed by Nicola Barton who has done a terrific job in telling the community’s stories in 2021. Nicola actually finishes up with us today, and I’d like to thank her for her amazing efforts since the launch of the publication in November 2020.
A massive thank you to our editorial, production and sales teams and to our columnists and contributors for their efforts this year.
I’d like to pay tribute to our advertisers who are a vital cog in ensuring we’re able to deliver news for free each and every week. Please support them!
Most of all I’d like to thank our readers – you have supported Parra News with extraordinary enthusiasm, and we look forward to delivering more and more content for you in 2022.
Our team is taking a break from 5pm today (Thursday, December 23) and we’ll be back on deck on Monday, January 17, with our first print edition for 2022 released on Tuesday, January 18. A limited digital news service will run on our website and socials during this break.
I wish you a very Merry Christmas, and all the best for 2022.
Thank you again for your support.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.