Australian media is vibrant and diverse.

We have the dominant players at a national level – the ABC, News, Nine and Seven – but at a local level there is a richness to our media.

Despite the significant loss of media outlets that has snowballed this year, there were a range of new publications that have been created.

We’ve had more new media across Australia this year than in any other year.

A new magazine for regional Australia

One new voice of Australian media is that published by the wonderful Annabelle Hickson.

This media baron and mother of three from a pecan farm in northwest New South Wales has curated a beautiful range of articles with her new publication Galah.

I’m very proud to be part of its launch publication, edition #01.

Galah focuses on Australian regional viewpoints on culture, society, arts and architecture.

My story is about why some towns thrive when others wither away. I was fortunate enough to speak with researcher Ian Plowman who told me it was about dispersed decision making, community involvement and tolerance for new ideas.

To research this idea I spoke with the absolutely delightful Maggie Beer, who moved to South Australia’s Barossa Valley in the 1970s to set up Pheasant Farm. From there she went on to her great success as a premium food producer, exporter and media personality.

“We opened the farm but it was off the rockiest road,” she said. “It was the antithesis of position, position, position. It was in the middle of nowhere.”

“I felt I belonged from the moment I arrived, which is interesting because it’s not always that way. “We bought a property and [husband] Colin was very good at talking to the neighbours and I was pregnant. It was just great.”

Artist Luke Sciberras said his community in Hill End helps him to thrive in his work.

“It’s the sense of care people have for their environment, their history and for each other, but also the built environment,” he said.

“It makes you feel as though you aren’t fighting for your life but thriving.”

New publications across Australia

The Public Interest Journalism Initiative has mapped the rise and fall of media across Australia over recent years.

In 2020, many mastheads have closed, including local papers on the Sunshine Coast.

But where there have been closures, sometimes a new publication has popped up.

The digital Sunshine Coast News has formed to fill that void of local news in the fast-growing region.

There are also new business models, especially in the regions.

Google’s Project Kookaburra has worked with the Walkleys Foundation and regional journalists and media to look at new ways to tell news and make money from it.

They range from hyperlocal emails to using events, and expanding digital coverage.

If you need help navigating the media in Australia, I can help. See here for more info.

Hero stories for health

Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service cares for the sickest and most seriously injured young people across the state.

It’s easy to write their health hero stories.

There is no shortage of them within the statewide health service and the Queensland Children’s Hospital.

The clinicians, staff and patients display incredible grit and resilience to overcome serious challenges. All credit to them.

Some of these stories are now being featured in a newly launched revamp of the Service’s website.

These include the innovative project that used virtual reality to send Carter, 15, to the moon despite being confined to his bed, the vision-screening programme that allowed Evie, 7, to thrive at school, and others.

Stories engage people and contribute to a greater understanding of what happens within an organisation.

It has been great working with the Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service to create content that highlights the impressive, life-changing work being done.

Writing a hero story

Hero stories highlight the human impact of a news event or a service. They do this by incorporating human stories.

It involves telling a broader story through the eyes and experience of an individual.

How do you get through the days when your children are suddenly gone?

This feature, for ABC’s Australian Story, is one of the most remarkable personal stories I have worked on. The team did a remarkable job.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-10/after-the-world-ends:-mh17-five-years-on-for-maslin-family/10998600

The Maslin’s three children, Mo, 12, Evie, 10, and Otis, 8, and Rin’s father Nick Norris, were killed when pro-Russian rebels shot down commercial flight MH17 in 2014.

Five years on they spoke publicly for the first time to Australian Story to thank Australians for their support. They also wanted to explain why they chose hope and love over hate and anger.

“Where we were was hell,” Rin told Australian Story. “Where we are now is a different place, and what we feel we owe to the Australian public is to let you know how we got to where we are now.”

Every day they get up, get ready and make the most of any small joys.

They are deliberately positive and reject sadness. This is not to downplay their immense grief. They just choose to focus on the love and beauty they had with their clearly wonderful children.

The program is thoughtful and compelling. You can watch it on ABC iview. This Odyssey online presentation of the feature used images and video supplied by the Maslin family.