By Casey Neill
The Mail has tackled many difficult stories over the decades, but Black Saturday is arguably the toughest.
Covering the tragedy that unfolded as bushfire tore through so many communities in February 2009 took a toll on the community and in turn on our reporters.
Sharing stories of heartbreak and despair is never an easy task for a journalist, but the horrific reality of the disaster that claimed the lives of 173 people and destroyed thousands of homes was on a scale this local newspaper had never before encountered – and hopefully never will again.
In the aftermath, the Mail team encountered and shared the aspects of this community that make it so special, from the stories of those who fought to save lives and property, to those who supported the shocked and grieving community, and those who helped to rebuild the shattered towns.
The Mail revisited the ordeal 10 years on in February this year, and will likely continue to report on community progress
Black Saturday wasn’t the first bad news the paper covered and, unfortunately, won’t be the last.
From floods to damaging high winds, car crashes, murders, robberies and drug busts to too many tragic funerals for young lives lost on our roads.
The first edition highlighted the plight of the Healesville Railway. Restoring the railway and public transport woes continue to make news today.
Logging has been a perennial issue, always sparking debate, with broader environmental issues like climate change also now filling the Mail pages.
There’s always been plenty of good news to share, too.
Hatches and matches, anniversaries and debutantes have all found a place in the pages.
The Mountain Views Honours paid tribute to the volunteers who made a difference in their communities, and Ellena Biggs took readers back in time with Pages of the Past.
Historical societies from across the region now contribute regularly to the Mail through columns, as do politicians and experts in their fields.
Community events from fetes and festivals to local schools, service clubs, historical societies and churches are well recorded.
Sport is a constant, from weekly results to stunning achievements, the way clubs galvanise communities and, more recently, efforts to upgrade facilities to accommodate more and more girls and women hitting the sporting field.
Advertisers are as important as ever to the Mountain Views pages – perhaps even more so – and they continue to shine not only through their paid advertising spaces, but through features and news stories about their achievements.
Applauding locals and helping to lift up the community is something the Mail team has never tired of, and never will.
