How covering Silverleaves flooding taught me about the importance of local news

From giant earthworms, chunky snot blocks and the Ladies of the Swamp, to nuclear protests, the Federal Election and beautiful old bridges, it’s been a big year at the Gippsland Monitor.

We launched in February, and this was my first job as a journalist. It was also my first job as a vanilla slice and meat pie reviewer.

I have been pleasantly surprised at the way stories can have an impact on people’s lives, and the extent to which the communities we serve are hungry for local news.

One such yarn was on the severe coastal erosion experienced by the residents in the Phillip Island suburb of Silverleaves.

The Silverleaves coastline has receded by about 77 metres since 1953 and is continuing to recede by six metres a year, potentially threatening the stability of homes near the water.

I interviewed Silverleaves resident Ken Haley at Silverleaves Beach. Haley is worried that as the coastline continues to recede residents - many of them older - may be forced to relocate permanently.

That video connected with people all over Gippsland, where severe weather events are not unusual.

Letting locals have a say is hugely important. It can paint a vivid picture to illustrate under-reported stories and let people know that the challenges they face are often universal. 

Journalism allows you to stick with a story over days, weeks and months. Recently, I followed up on this story when $18.4 million in funding was announced for coastal protection works across Gippsland from the state and federal governments, including in Silverleaves.

This is not the end of the story, and as the Monitor heads into 2026, it’s one of the many issues I will be keeping an eye on. 

I will also continue trying to shovel a whole vanilla slice into my gob. It’s a messy job, but someone’s gotta do it.