Dear Readers,

AS I step away from the Ipswich Tribune following a redundancy, I want to express my heartfelt thanks for your support over the past three years.

Reporting on local issues – from efforts to protect Woogaroo Forest and to save Scott’s Farm, to covering the ongoing dumps concerns, the alleged institutional abuse at the Park State Forensic Psychiatric Unit at Wacol, and the history of Wolston Park Hospital – has been a privilege.

Your willingness to share your experiences, and your commitment to reading and supporting the paper, made this work possible.

I’m grateful that some of this reporting has been recognised by the Queensland Country Press Association. Those acknowledgements are a reminder of the significance of community stories, not of the journalist who writes them.

What I will miss most is connecting with readers like you, and witnessing the care and passion of our local communities. Your feedback, encouragement, and engagement have always been at the heart of this work.

Although I am leaving the Tribune, I look forward to continuing this mission through the Australian Advocate – reporting on issues that matter and ensuring community voices continue to be heard.

Thank you again for allowing me to be part of your stories.

With gratitude,
Rob Mellett