About Us
Scoop Yass Valley is a publishing initiative borne out of a passion for breaking news and a love of this community. Our newsroom strives to report the main issues of the day in an accurate and inquisitive manner, while remaining objective and independent. We uphold the values of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance Code of Ethics for Australian journalists.
Scoop advertising aims to provide innovative and exciting opportunities for businesses to market their products in an eye-catching modern style, at terrifically competitive rates. As a business sponsor, you’ll have access to a loyal readership who check in every day to get the latest and best news available in the region.
Editor / Publisher Katharyn Brine is a career newspaper journalist with 20 years experience on papers such as the Canberra Times, Armidale Express, Glen Innes Examiner, Guyra Argus, and most recently as former Acting Managing Editor and senior reporter for the Yass Tribune from 2011-2014. She was the recipient of an Australian Walkley Award for Excellence in Journalism as part of the Canberra Times editorial team that covered the 2003 Canberra bush fires. She has worked within the Parliamentary Press Gallery and ACT Legislative Assembly, interviewed AIS athletes for the Sydney Olympics, and reported major criminal trials as a specialist court reporter at the ACT Supreme and Magistrates Courts. She has a Country Press Association cadetship, a Bachelor of Communications: Journalism and is a qualified digital graphic designer. She is passionate about contributing to the community and volunteers as a Cub Scout Leader and junior soccer coach. She settled in the Yass Valley 10 years ago.
Columnist Briony Barac has a love of all things Murrumbateman! She’s connected with various committees and projects across the Valley and is one of 40 local residents participating in Yass Valley Council’s Fit for the Future working group. She is also an executive member of the Murrumbateman Village Market, a Southern NSW Harvest Association committee member and a member of the Murrumbateman Progress Association. She has a passion for connecting people and has created roles and channels within the community to do that, especially via social media. She launched her own mini magazine in 2014, Murrumbateman Muse, under her local business, Murrumbateman Grapevine. “The Grapevine is all about connecting the village; the people with the businesses and services, what’s on, what’s been on and what’s available locally. We absolutely love living in Murrumbateman and all that the Valley has to offer, I couldn’t imagine raising my family anywhere else.”
Photographer Kim Gourlay moved to Australia 21 years ago and has lived in Yass for the last five years. She started photography as a young apprentice to her father as he travelled the state of Colorado taking landscape and nature photographs. As a photographer she attends many of the local events to help preserve the history of the Yass Valley. Kim has also volunteered as a member of various committees and associations, including the Mt Carmel College Ltd Board of Directors. She is also a member of YassArts organisation. She loves living in Yass with her family and is committed to seeing it remain a strong, thriving community it is today.
Photographer / Opinion Columnist Alex Tewes got hooked on photography when, as a very young boy, he found his dad’s ancient Kodak Brownie camera hidden in a cupboard. Later, he graduated to “borrowing” his Dad’s prized Rollei camera when it wasn’t hidden well enough. While Alex has grown to be primarily a portrait and street photographer, he is still inspired by the landscapes of the beautiful Yass Valley. Alex was born in Argentina but has lived in Australia since 1973. He moved to Yass in 2004 and has since become deeply enmeshed in the town’s community life. He is a member of the Yass Valley Men’s Shed, a member and former President of YASSarts, a member of the Yass Valley Business Chamber and a Board Member of Yass Valley Aged Care Ltd.
Columnist Ben Serafin was born and raised in Yass and has been fishing the local rivers and dams since he was a boy. A self described average fisherman, he is nonetheless passionate about all things fishing. He is also passionate about conservation and feels that for conservation efforts to succeed they need assistance from a community that is aware, connected and caring for the land right at their doorstep. Through his images and writings he hopes to inspire others to get outside, enjoy the natural beauty and get involved in protecting our beautiful and unique landscapes.
More people coming shortly…
Would you like to work for Scoop? Expressions of interest are being collected now for contributing columnists to write about events in our satellite villages (Binalong, Bowning, Bookham, Gunning and Wee Jasper. Murrumbateman has been filled). We are also keen to find authors who like to write about junior sport, senior sports codes, local youth issues, your club, charity or community group. Contact us at news@scoopyassvalley.com.au.
