English journalists visit Peninsula News

Two journalists from England visited Peninsula News last month and learnt about the success and challenges of running a not-for-profit newspaper.

Buckinghamshire-based Andrew Kay and Bedfordshire-based Steve Knowles met Peninsula News editor Mr Mark Snell as part of a month-long international exchange".

Sponsored by Rotary, the two newspaper reporters spent time with media organisations across Sydney and the Central Coast.

A team from NSW will travel to the UK to take part in the reverse leg of the exchange next month.

During their visit, the pair learnt about Peninsula News' aim of providing an independent voice for the area, how the paper was designed and complied, and the unique way it was distributed to businesses and given away in places like shopping centres and libraries.

Mr Kay, 31, who writes for Aylesbury-based newspaper The Bucks Herald, said: "It was fascinating to spend time with the team, which is made up of volunteers and a few paid staff members."

"I enjoyed finding out about the paper's aims and the team's genuine passion for local news.

"Being used to writing for a newspaper which is a business, it was interesting to see what is being achieved on a not-for-profit basis by Peninsula News both in print and online.

"I enjoyed learning about the history of the paper: how it started out and grew up to become an independent voice for the area.

"As a journalist, you are very privileged, because you come into contact with all sorts of amazing and inspiring people who are really making a difference.

"I felt the team at Peninsula News certainly fit that category.

"I would also like to say a big thank you to Rotary International for allowing me to take part in the Group Study Exchange.

"It is designed to show young professionals how their professions are practiced abroad and offer an insight into another culture.

"Since being downunder, I have also witnessed firsthand the huge amount of work that Rotary clubs across the area have been doing such as fundraising for local charities and towards Rotary International's aim of trying to eradicate polio.

"It was great to spend time at Peninsula News and to see that the hard work taking place in the community, by groups such as Rotary, does not go unreported."

Email, 9 Apr 2012

Andrew Kay, Buckinghamshire