My family first arrived in Rockhampton on the immigrant ship Utopia in 1862. @the_bully was there to write about it, with the headline “GLORIOUS NEWS”. Just about every birth, death and marriage in my family in the 158 years since have been documented by that paper

My whole life is in its pages. Childhood sporting successes and failures, school results, social pics with mates. One day in 1999 I was even on the front page and it was glorious. I was famous for weeks.

When I was in Year 8 a few of the journos came to my school, did workshops with us and helped us write yarns which they published in a lift out. My very first byline!

I cried this morning when I read it wouldn’t be printed anymore. I feel like I’ve lost a friend. It’s not dead, but I’m heartbroken for the employees and for my town.

Anyway, I’m a digi subscriber and will stay that way! @the_bully