Social FocusPage 15

Hannan StreetStreaker?Page 3

Editor spotsmistake on Page 8

For all the Goreydetails

Visit www.gorey.com.auNO LONGER BLOCKED BY WA NEWS

WEBSERVERS

THURSDAY MAY 22 2008 $1.00* (INC.GST)

GOLD $USXXX.919.70 � $AU958.97 � NICKEL $US11.6672 � ASX 5823 � CURRENCY $AU1 = US 0.9590 � EU 0.6131 � UK 0.4881 �

FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2008

KALGOORLIE Miner editorMichael Gorey today bade fare-well to Western Australia’s onlyregional daily newspaper.

Michael has taken the positionof Editor in Chief of several pub-lications in Mt Gambier, SouthAustralia.

In his time at the helm of theMiner, Mr Gorey increased circu-lation, boosted picture sales andeven made it onto the ABC’s infa-mous Media Watch.

In trouble with the director ofpublic prosecutions after publish-ing background facts which hadnot come up in a gold theft trial,Media Watch tore strips offMichael, who took it all in hisstride.

“There was nothing inaccurateor misleading about our follow-up report. Other media includingABC radio, the Australian andnow ABC Television have beenhappy to add the extra detail,which was self evident to ourreaders,” he retorted in a letter tothe program.

Miner staff concluded Michaelhad reached a pinnacle in new-spaper editing.

“You’re not a real editor untilyou’ve been on Media Watch,”subeditor Ben Anderson said.

Unfortunately, Michael’s resig-nation has not left editorial stafflost for words. But where Michaelis concerned, the words have beennothing but kind. Deputy editorAnne Skinner said Michaelwould be greatly missed.

“I really appreciate the help

and encouragement Michael hasgiven me during the few months Ihave been here,” Anne said. “Hisdrive and enthusiasm – not tomention his quirky sense ofhumour – will be his newemployers’ gain and our loss.”

“I wish him and his family allthe best for the future.”

Sports reporter Jarrod Lucas

was thankful to his editor for hisfaith in his ability.

“Thanks for the job mate,” Jar-rod said.

Recent recruit Jasmine Healewished Michael luck in his newrole but said she would missworking with him. “It is a sadfarewell, he was a great boss,” shesaid.

Sub editor Tim Sadleir said hewould miss Mr Gorey’s quirkyheadlines.

“Michael had a love of interest-ing headlines, now I have to comeup with them all on my own,” hesaid.

From everyone at the Kalgoor-lie Miner, farewell and good luckMichael, we will miss you.

Farewell, MichaelBy Frances Pratt

The long goodbye: Back from left, Ben Anderson, Deputy Editor Anne Skinner, Tim Sadleir, DarrenJonker, Jay Rooney, and Travis Anderson. Middle from left: Georgia Loney, Zoe Rudder, and Jasmine

Heale. Front from left: Frances Pratt, Beau Pearson, Natasha Boddy and Nadene Parsons.Photo: Kellie Lewis

THERE was rejoicing among local public broad-casters with the resignation of intransigent Kal-goorlie Miner editor Michael Gorey, signalling theend of the two year ‘jihad’ against the AustralianBroadcasting Corporation.

The media blackout was proclaimed in 2006when journalist Simon Frazer unaccountablychose to accept the opportunities offered by thenational broadcaster rather than keep writing MyPet features.

Mr Frazer was attracted by the lure of rubbingshoulders with such celebrities as former Minercolleague Christien de Garis, reporter Tara deLandgraft and manager David de Kennedy.

Mr Gorey was enraged by this second exampleof a rival media organisation poaching his staff. Heresponded by poaching Jarrod Lucas from theGolden Mail and banning all professional contactwith the ABC.

The immediate effect of what soon becameknown as the ABC jihad was the cancelling of BenCreagh’s Monday morning sports wrap, the end ofRon Berryman’s appearance on the First TuesdayBook Club and the shelving of a pilot for a quirkyseaside drama written by Ben Anderson.

It is believed the title of “jihad” can be traced toMr Gorey’s promise that any other Miner journal-ist committing the “apostatsy” of leaving for theABC would be “beheaded and stoned in the nameof the Prophet Trish Seeney (Blessings be uponher)”.

Despite this, employees such as Lisa van Oyenand Ngaire McDiarmid continued to be heardoccasionally on the ABC.

They no longer work for the Kalgoorlie Miner.Mr de Kennedy said he welcomed the news.“We get most of our stories from the Miner, so

it’s nice to be able to talk to the journalists now andthen,” he said.

BEN ANDERSON

Jihad at an end

OutbackBeauty Page 17

MaskedBandit Page 5

User: timsa Time: 05-22-2008 17:18 Product: Kal_Miner PubDate: 22-05-2008 Zone: Full_Run Edition: First Page: kmsup_11 Color: CMYK