The Yass Valley Times hit the shelves on June 10 last year and it was during a world wide pandemic that a few local ladies decided they would provide the area with a print product and online presence.
They didn’t think that as of this week the Yass Valley area would again be plunged into Lock down. But here we are.
There was plenty of work carried out in the background before the first edition was ready for sale and much of this can be put down to the locals wanting to fill the void left by the Yass Tribune.
There is an old saying that a town is a town when it has a newspaper.
The target of providing a full colour 16 page paper which showcased the local business community and told our stories was vital to not only recording our history, but making clear that Yass was back on the map.
In the digital age, it is imperative that an online presence be provided to compliment the print version.
The Times staff will continue to print the print product for as long as possible and as newspapers transition to online products the Times will continue to provide content there also.
Our opinion is that there is nothing like holding the weekly paper in your hands on a sunny morning, flicking from page to page with the fresh smell of the recently printed ink on the paper wafting into the air.
Jasmin Jones, Nyssa Stadtmiller and Denise Smith are the three musketeers of the Yass Valley Times. Jasmin had a highly successful career of more than 10 years in Tv journalism. Denise had been the driving force behind a number of small businesses, keeping the books working and making sure the i’s were dotted and the t’s crossed.
Nyssa came with a background in bookkeeping, design and writing and provided the skills necessary to jump into any position to fill a void.
The Times staff were a tight knit bunch and didn’t take a cent in the first 6 months of operations to ensure the viability of the business and to provide the Yass Valley area with a paper that will continue to operate well in to the future.
It was this dedication which has put the Times in good stead.
The Times then hired Max O’Driscoll, a journalist from Melbourne with a love for life and what became an instant love for the Times, Yass and the local Aussie Rules club the Yass Roos. Max even put his body on the line in such a way that injury robbed him of completing the end of the season alongside the dreaded Covid Virus which prevented the regular season from operating as planned.
Denise Smith is a member of the community who should be cherished. If not for her and her husband Touie, the Times wouldn’t have commenced operations and been able to continue today. The Facebook page is a success in itself with over 5,300 followers.
Denise’s level head, wisdom and fighting spirit shone through and inspired the team to forge ahead when at times things became difficult. There was no looking back just forward with Denise.
Jasmin said, “Denise has been a valuable member of the Yass Valley Times team since we started planning the venture during the first lockdown in early 2020.
As a director, Denise brought a practical capital injection and decades of small business experience and know-how. She always wanted an exit strategy and was just proud to be a part of the venture in her home town. A place she proudly calls home.
Jasmin said, “In truth, we all thought it would take us a lot longer to get to this point, where Denise could exit as a director, so the paper’s success brings with it some mixed feelings to now be saying goodbye to Denise in her accounting role.”
Jasmin stressed there are no words strong enough to express her gratitude for Denise’s support and contribution.
“Of course, Denise went well beyond the role of payroll and accounts to encompass business mentoring and practical help on coordinating paper distribution.
Without our keel (Denise), we would not have weathered so well the storms of a business launching during a Covid lockdown.”
While Denise has many other responsibilities, such as grandparent duties, we are thankful Denise is staying on in a capacity with “paper day” coordination.
So, if you love your paper edition of the Yass Valley Times, please stop Denise on the street and say “thanks Denise.”
Nyssa Stadtmiller said, “I want to thank Denise for her trust in Jasmin and myself and for providing sound knowledge and business experience. She didn’t have to do what she did, but she did it because she knew the town and the area needed it and she helped guide us through the ins and outs of successfully running small businesses and the wisdom which comes with doing so. I was already a small business owner but I have learnt a lot from Denise.
Denise’s stoic attitude and warm nature and friendship won’t be forgotten and I hope the people of the Yass Valley area remember her each time they pick up a copy or read an online story.
Editor Matthew Stadtmiller said, “I have enjoyed the meetings with all 3 founding ladies and it has been a pleasure to work with Denise. I particularly like her quick wit and her strong business acumen. She will be sorely missed as a Director of the company but I hope she doesn’t go too far, there will always be a place for her at the Christmas staff party.”
The Times wants everyone in the Yass Valley area to stay strong and look after themselves as well as their friends and family during the next lock down. We will continue to print during this time.
Thank you Denise for your time, skills and contributions that you have made to the Yass Valley Times.
