New Editor of the Canowindra Phoenix Verity Middleton
Hello Canowindra!
I am very pleased to be taking over from Sarah Maynard as Editor of the Canowindra Phoenix. Sarah has done a wonderful job helping to make the paper what it is and as she moves on I am grateful for the opportunity to cover the news in Canowindra. I previously produced Cudal’s monthly newspaper, Cudal News, for two years. It was a fantastic opportunity to get to know Cudal and its people quickly and I am keen to do the same in Canowindra.
It seemed I joined at the perfect time as I am itching to do some local Christmas shopping and I’m glad to see Canowindra has still managed to put the Shopping Days on despite COVID. My first week on the job has been very busy. I was saddened to hear of the vandalism of St Edwards Catholic Church. Fortunately, I am told, such events are few and far between in this lovely town and I look forward to seeing Canowindra through the seasons and the ups and downs.
I was born and raised in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, though I never felt it was quite home. My mum grew up in the tiny hamlet of Euchareena, between Orange and Wellington, so I spent my childhood travelling to the Central West and growing up in its incredible landscape. I just adored the rolling hills dotted with volcanic rock, the gnarled trees which mirrored the ancient land they sat on and the changing seasons with its orange hues in autumn, wood fires in winter, colourful flowering spring and bright scorching summers. Sydney just can’t hold a candle to it!
When my life had run its course in Sydney, moving out here was an easy decision. I landed in Orange five and a half years ago and quickly met and married my husband, Jeremy, and together we decided to find a place in the proper country. We settled into life in Cudal three years ago. We’ve since moved onto a farm outside of Cudal where Jeremy works. We share our little farm cottage with our four dogs, cavalier Alfie, kelpies Danny and Molly and a kelpie cross staffy named Sunny.
I look forward to hearing from you and covering the stories close to your hearts. I can be reached by email editor@canowindraphoenix.com.au, phone on 0455 143 636 or in the office on Mondays and Tuesdays 9am – 5pm.
Warmly, Verity Middleton