Our staff are the backbone of Dubbo Photo News. Without them, there wouldn’t be the stories you read, the advertisements on the pages, and indeed, how the paper looks and feels.

In an age where artificial intelligence (AI) use is rising across many industries, it’s good to know that in our newspaper business, creative humans are responsible for what you see and read. We’re very proud of that, and that we employ local people – and a few from afar – to bring you the Dubbo Photo News.

Here are some reflections from former and current staff on working with Dubbo Photo News over the years.

Jen Cowley – former Dubbo Photo News journalist and Dubbo Weekender editor, now a Councillor with Dubbo Regional Council

I started back in the old Dubbo City News days, before it morphed into Dubbo Photo News. Tim gave me a start as a columnist way back then so I was involved from the start.

I always both wanted to do a regional current affairs and issues kind of magazine, and that's how Dubbo Weekender was born. I had many, very happy years as a founding editor of Dubbo Weekender. Some of your readers will remember it very fondly.

Donna Falconer – former DPN administration and sales manager, now Regional Coordinator, Country Hope Dubbo

I was there from day one. It was the brainchild of Tim, and I was there with him, and we made it happen.

Every Thursday [publication day], I used to go out on the streets and people just loved it. And you could just stand there and watch people picking the papers up off the stands. It was a superstar thing happening.

We started the I Love Dubbo campaign, the instigators of that in town [to counteract] the negative publicity about Dubbo.

The paper has saved lives over the years, you know, allowing people to tell their stories about cancer, melanoma etc with the broader community. That awareness is priceless, really.

People love to see themselves or people they know reflected in the pages of the paper at a social event or a community event or in sport. The paper highlights some of the good things happening in the community.

Yvette Aubusson-Foley – former DPN journalist, now a freelancer

I started as a journalist [around 2007], and back in those days, they had a dedicated arts page. I was the arts editor, writing stories about people and events and things in the community specific to dance, music, fine arts, the gallery and performances coming to town.

Because it was a small team, you inevitably did everything. You could be filling in at the front desk, or out doing photos at an event or a school, or interviewing a community member who's done something great, or a sportsperson.

One of the wonderful things about Dubbo Photo News... You really get this beautiful look inside the community. It's like a real journal of all the people who have lived there.

Lucie Peart – general manager

Dubbo Photo News has a proud and strong history in Dubbo. And you know, any milestone is great. Twenty years in publication is obviously very exciting for the team and recognises their commitment to the community producing local news.

Lana Eather – journalist

I started in October 2023 and I mostly work on the profile pieces, and my weekly favourite – the new born babies!

I like finding out about all the wonderful volunteers, charities and lovely people we have in our community. It is always interesting to learn about all the things Dubbo has going on, and sharing the work of our local support services. We have such a beautiful community! Every day with the Photo News is different, and there is always something new to learn!

Sharon Bonthuys – deputy editor, journalist

I’ve been involved with the paper since 2022, in different capacities. There are so many stories to tell and we help people do that, which is important.

David Dixon – journalist

I've been working for Dubbo Photo News since 2022 and, before that, worked on their sister paper in Orange, since 2010. I write a variety of stories, from Council catch-ups, to human interest, sport, advertising features, profiles, major events, and regional and Wellington news. I also copy-edit articles for our amazing sport section, overseen by the incredible and irreplaceable Geoff Mann.

Dubbo Photo News seeks to "bring out the best in people", and admirably achieves this with warmth, character, candour, and honesty.

There's nothing quite like Dubbo Photo News anywhere else in Australia and, probably, the world. With humour and a real "feel" for the Orana region, it shines a mirror back at us on all that is good in the greater west, and for which we should be duly proud.