For International Women's Day, Kate O'Mealley of Coal Coast magazine teams up with a fellow editor and champion of local independent media, Genevieve Swart from the Illawarra Flame. Together, we're doing a world first – interviewing each other!
Meet editors Gen and Kate – their journeys, inspiration, and how they bring fresh and positive perspectives to the local media landscape.
How did you find yourself in the world of local media?
Coal Coast editor Kate: Back in 2018, I'd returned to Wollongong (my hometown) from Melbourne, having lived away for 18 years. I spotted a 'new magazine coming soon' sign in Thirroul and offered to write some articles. I'm a lover of print from way back (I also have a Masters degree in Publishing!), but helping to connect people and build a sense of community is really special.
How about you?
Illawarra Flame editor Genevieve: My daughter had just turned 3 and I was looking to fill in a few hours while she was at preschool. She's now in year 11.
I'm a journalist by trade, started my career in South Africa in an age before the internet, then worked in London and Sydney. When we moved to the 2508 district, I filed a few articles for Angela Fagerstrom, editor of the Helensburgh Herald at the time, then stepped in when she decided to sell up. My husband, Marcus Craft, is also a journalist and the magazines hitting the streets each month – come hell and highwater, sick kids, Covid and a cost of living crisis – has totally been a team effort.
We started by printing 3000 copies a month. Now it's at 11k and our website has 12k unique users a month. I work a lot of late nights and stay sane by occasionally going kayaking.
Local news is all about connection and community. What stories have made you laugh and cry?
Kate: I’ve always enjoyed talking to creatives about their process and craft – comedians Melanie Bracewell and Suzi Ruffell, playwright Rose Maher and musicians Elana Stone and Timothy James Bowen – easy, free-flowing conversations that felt like chatting to old friends. I could have happily chatted with them for hours!
I’m very proud of our story about two centenarians David and Henry, who met at the Diggers Home in Corrimal. With over 200 years of life between them, they both have experienced so many things – family, work, love – it’s very sweet and the portraits that Micaela Adams photographed are incredibly emotive. I love that it’s a simple story of friendship at any age, and shows that there’s so much value in community and connection at every stage in life.
What's been some of your favourite feedback?
Genevieve: My absolute favourite was an 80-something lady who rang me and said, "Your magazine makes me feel like I belong. It makes me feel a part of the community." And then when I asked what her favourite article was, she said: Dr Rip's Science of the Surf.
Our March editions for northern and southern Illawarra – which tell the story of everyone from an Electrify Illawarra leader to what happened when three citizens of the year sat down to lunch – came out today and my current favourite feedback is a text just in saying: "In a world of mistrust and negativity, you're making a huge contribution to building positive community links in our region."
What's the nicest thing you've heard from a reader?
Kate: That Coal Coast magazine is their "little bit of luxury". A reader said that she doesn't buy magazines as much anymore, due to the cost, but to have a high-quality magazine (that is free!) is her regular treat. She appreciates the paper quality and premium texture, and loves to take the time to read each story slowly. Coming into the colder months, I love the idea of readers sitting quietly with a cuppa and leisurely reading our magazine!
Tell us about a memorable interview...
Genevieve: I've lost count of the hundreds of smart, kind, funny and incredibly talented people I've interviewed over the past 11 years. Right at the start, I had tea with Helensburgh Historical Society leaders Jenny Donohoe and Jim Powell, the retired fire chief turned champion camellia grower; just this morning I sat down with Wafaa Izzeddin, a Syrian mother who fled Asaad's regime and now works at MCCI helping other families in the refugee community.
But if we're talking memorable from a professional perspective, then it's probably a conversation with Michelle Voyer, who is a marine social scientist and associate professor at the University of Wollongong. Michelle and Energy Futures Network Director Ty Christopher have been very generous in sharing their time and knowledge as we make the transition to clean energy.
In this instance, the interview led to a story titled Whale of a Tale, about a fake journal article quoted in the offshore wind wars on social media. That triggered a whole series of national conversations about fake news, and the Illawarra Flame ended up on Media Watch as the small local paper that broke the story.
I find producing the magazines like writing a huge exam each month – it's a lot to take in. How do you unwind afterwards?
Kate: Admittedly I find it hard to turn off my magazine brain, I'm always keeping an eye out for new venues and interesting stories. Movie nights with my boys, and getting outside with my beautiful Bordoodle Buddy is how I like to relax – many trips to the dog beaches and parks.
These are tricky times for media everywhere. How do you think people can support local independent media and why should they?
Kate: In an era of big media companies, fake news and a focus on digital "everything", taking the time to share local stories fosters connection and community. It's good to feel like we're a part of something bigger. It feels good to hear about good news, smart people doing inspiring things.
I often say that we'll never be short of articles – the Illawarra is full of people doing amazing things! How can you help? Share the magazine with your friends, buy an annual subscription, ask your local business to stock it, leave us a 5-star Google review – and if you're a business owner, consider advertising with us. We're both locally owned small businesses too!
Genevieve: I totally agree: local stories absolutely foster connections and readers love them. Big media – all interestingly still owned by men – is losing readers in droves, part of a global trend called "news avoidance".
International Women's Day seems like a good time to acknowledge that women media owners of small local companies like ours can bring fresh and positive perspectives – I recently even wrote a piece on this called 'Behind the headlines: Women are leading local, independent media'.
Everyone has a role to play in creating the media they want to see. You can support us by becoming a $5 per month Friend of the Flame on our website, advertising your local business or even contributing an article on your local sports club or society – citizen journalists welcome!
