Two long serving local journalists last night received recognition from Campbelltown City Council.
Mayor Paul Hawker presented Mandy Perrin and Eric Kontos with community service awards at last night’s council meeting – the last before elections on September 10.
Ms Perrin, of Raby, has been the editor of the Macarthur Chronicle for the past 23 years.
She took the reins from Eric Kontos in April 1993.
He had served six years as Chronicle editor.
In 1994 he assumed the editorship of the Fairfax masthead, the Macarthur Advertiser, and was there for more than a decade.
He lives in Kentlyn.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Tonight, I would like to formally recognise two of our most outstanding local community members – Eric Kontos and Mandy Perrin – for their contributions to the city,’’ said Mayor Hawker in his last Mayoral Minute.[/social_quote]
“Between them, they have clocked up almost 70 years of reporting on the local scene in Campbelltown and the wider Macarthur region.
“While I may not always agree with their point of view, their commitment and dedication to the city cannot be overstated.
“The Macarthur Advertiser was recognised as Best Local Newspaper in Australia in 2001, under the leadership of Eric.
Online news venture going from strength to strength
“After many years in print media, Eric turned his attention to the digital space and launched his own online paper, the South West Voice in Macarthur, in 2014. With the goal of providing timely, relevant information to the community, ‘without fear or favour’, his online endeavours are going from strength to strength.
“Earlier this year, Mandy received a Jubilee Award, recognising that she has been a member of the Campbelltown community for 50 years.
“After graduating from Hurlstone Agricultural High School, where she was part of the first intake of girls, Mandy joined the Macarthur Chronicle as a cadet reporter.
“The Macarthur Chronicle masthead has be recognised with many accolades while Mandy has been at its helm, and she regularly campaigns on behalf of readers to make the community an even better place to live, seeing her role as editor as a privilege to be able to advocate on behalf of her community.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Both Eric and Mandy are proud and vocal supporters of the Campbelltown community.[/social_quote]
“The passion they display for the city and its residents is genuine and authentic; their hearts are entrenched in Campbelltown and the wider Macarthur region.
“On behalf of Campbelltown City Council and the local community, I would like to present Eric Kontos and Mandy Perrin with a Community Service Award each to thank them for their considered efforts to showcase the best of what our city has to offer.
“May their excellent work continue for many more years to come.’’
