Gladys Relf takes a turn in the spotlight

“I loved it,” Mrs Relf said.

“I loved the writing, and I loved the people. I covered all the news in the district, everything that was on – day and night. You’d get home, and then the pressure was on to meet the deadline the next day. It was not easy work, but I really enjoyed it.”

Mrs Relf also took the photos and had to drive the film to Armidale where the film was developed, and the paper was printed.

Mrs Relf  (nee Partridge) was born in Armidale in 1928 but moved to Sydney when she was sixteen-years-old because she says her father thought the education and job opportunities would be better for her.

“I was always strong-willed, and he thought I’d do better in Sydney,” she laughed.

“I moved back to Walcha when I was fifty because my people are all from here and I lived here for most of my childhood.”

After finishing her Bachelor of Arts degree and diploma of education Mrs Relf went to train at the Armidale Express office where she worked with Mike Knowling writing for the Walcha News, the Armidale Express and the Glen Innes Examiner. When the masthead editorial teams were split up, Mrs Relf moved to the Walcha office to write  exclusively for the Walcha News.

One of the highlights she recalls is the time when the Armidale office called her at 7.30am in the morning and told her there was a truck loaded with explosives hanging over the edge of a cliff at Stockyard Creek. 

“It was quite exciting – I climbed up the bank on the other side and took a photo – no one was going to stop me,” Mrs Relf said.

“There were so many highlights while I covered the news – and also confronting things,” Mrs Relf said.

“There was a murder in Yarrowitch, and the body of the man was stuffed into the trunk of a tree. I was on the property when they searched and found the body. I did not look or take any photos, but it was quite an experience.” 

On Sunday Mrs Relf celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends in Walcha.