Tuesday, April 02, 2002

CR NGO FAREWELLS TWO OUTSTANDING JOURNALISTS

Fairfield Councillor Ngo was sorry that the area will lose two top notch local journalists.

Last week saw the departure of Aaron Parnell from the Fairfield Champion and today was the last day for Meeka Bailey from the Fairfield Advance.

"We all know Fairfield is one of the most challenging places in Australia to work as a journalist" said Cr Ngo.

"Journalists for local papers would normally expect to deal with ‘softer’ issues, instead, drugs, policing, problem gambling and controversy seem to be the norm in Fairfield.

"Many people may not know that Aaron Parnell actually broke the news to Tim Priest about Cabramatta MP, Reba Meagher’s appointment as parliamentary secretary to Police".

Aaron’s contacts are first class.

While Meeka has demonstrated time and time again she could work under extreme pressure and tight deadline.

"As a journalist, Ms Bailey is fair, thorough, with an eye for detail and one of the fastest in terms of being able to sniff a good story" said Cr Ngo.

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Meeka as a journalist and as an individual person.

"I deal almost daily with journalists from the Herald, the Daily Telegraph and even the TV news journo’s - Aaron and Meeka could easily cut it with the best of them".

Aaron and Meeka’s departure will be a loss for both the Fairfield Champion and Fairfield Advance.