Editor of the Champion Post, Roel ten Cate is retiring.
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Mr ten Cate, the longest ever Editor of the local newspaper, will end his 48 year career with the newspaper on Friday, July 8.
He will be replaced by former local journalist, Christine Speelman who has spent the past four years with the Young Witness.
The appointment is one of several changes at the Champion Post.
Long serving senior journalist, Bill Jayet is also retiring after more than 35 years with the paper, and Sports Editor Denis Howard has been promoted to Editor at the Young Witness.
Mr ten Cate started as a cadet with the Champion Post in October 1968 and apart from four years as Managing Editor with the Forbes Advocate, has spent all his career with the Parkes paper.
Along the way, he has been honoured with an OAM for services to the local community and country journalism, and received Rotary’s highest honour of a Paul Harris Fellowship for service to the community.
He retired briefly eight years ago (2008) although continuing in a part time capacity with the paper.
His ‘retirement’ did not last long as he was asked to return as Managing Editor after a couple of years.
Mr ten Cate said the Champion Post was heading into exciting times, capitalising on the amazing development in technology.
“I’m a little wary about retiring, I still enjoy my job very much. But it’s time for me to leave it all to the younger generation,” he said.
“I have two beautiful granddaughters, a large garden, golf sticks covered in dust and cobwebs and a desire for a bit of travelling which will keep me busy in the future.”
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Christine Speelman is extremely excited about returning to Parkes to take on the position of Editor.
She was employed by Mr ten Cate more than six years ago and became a popular, local community member before being promoted to a senior role at Young, where she has taken on the role of Acting Editor on occasions.
However, before Christine takes on her role in Parkes, she has had another major event to enjoy.
Christine married Matthew Little last Saturday, May 28, and they are now honeymooning in Europe.
Matthew is one of the managers of Big W in Parkes.
Christine (31) said she was really looking forward to returning to Parkes after four and a half years and in a challenging new role.
“I remember leaving Parkes and moving to Young in December 2011, telling myself I wasn't done with Parkes yet," she laughed.
"I always had the feeling I was meant to come back but when, was the question...I've been waiting and training for this moment.
"I'm so grateful to have been given the opportunity to return, I've learnt so much in Young as their senior journalist.
"I still have many friends in Parkes and now I'll be setting up a home with a husband!"
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Bill Jayet is a very popular and well known ‘face’ of the Champion Post.
He started out as an advertising representative way back in 1977 and following changes at the paper, moved into reporting about nine years later.
“I became a journalist overnight,” Bill said.
Bill had a brief time away from the paper when he became a house dad and worked as the Community Liaison Officer for Parkes High School.
But the rest of the time, he has covered many of the major events which have occurred in the town, including visits by Australian dignitaries, tragedies, achievements by local residents, police reports, local government….the list goes on and on.
In fact, most of the photographs which have appeared in the Champion Post in the past couple of decades are Bill’s work.
Bill is looking forward to his retirement, saying it will give him time to see more games of his favourite sporting team, the Swans, as well enjoying his beautiful garden - "and a huge list of duties that Lindy has prepared for me!”
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Denis Howard has a wonderful career opportunity in front of him after being promoted to Editor of the Young Witness.
Denis has been Sports Editor of the Champion Post for more than three years and is well prepared to take on a more senior role of overall newspaper Editor.
Denis married local woman, Jane Chambers and they moved back to Parkes about 10 years ago.
Since then, he has involved himself in the local community through his children’s school, and sport, especially golf.
He has played a major role in the development of local sport through his position at the paper.
“We are moving into an exciting era in newspaper and news creation,” he said, “and I am very grateful for a chance to be part of that.”
It is expected Denis will start in Young during June.