In Bob Dylan’s hit song ‘The times they are a changing,’ he warns, writers and critics who prophesize with their pens, to keep their eyes wide, as the chance won't come again.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This was the advice I took on board when I took the job as the new journalist of the Katherine Times.
My name is Paul Bidmeade, I'm 23 years old and I was born in Adelaide.
On my application to the Katherine Times I wrote “I’m attracted to this position because I miss playing AFL.”
Perhaps it was my distinctive honesty which landed me the job.
I started my journalism career eight months ago, in a town called Gilgandra in New South Wales.
A fresh faced 22-year-old, I had never heard of the town before but I was thankful for my first break in the industry.
When I arrived in my Adelaide Crows Guernsey I was disheartened to discover that there was no AFL team or fans.
Instead, I was deep in Rugby League territory.
It took some adapting, but I soon adjusted to this new and strange way of life.
I learnt what a 40/20 was and I accepted the fact that there were no points for kicking the ball close to the uprights.
The Geelong versus Hawthorn preliminary final was shown on a tiny television at the local pub, while the one-sided Rugby League final was televised on the projector.
On AFL grand final day I was posted to a country race-meeting to take social photos for the following week’s edition.
You can’t miss AFL Grand Final Day it’s sacrilege.
An entire AFL season came to a close and I had seen three games.
When the opportunity to work in Katherine came about I jumped at it.
I felt I owed the Northern Territory.
After all, the Adelaide Crows greatest Indigenous footballer Andrew McLeod was born in the top end.
AFL is just one of my many sports obsessions.
I am pretty handy with a tennis racquet.
I coached in Adelaide for five years, mostly specialising coaching juniors.
I’m yet to apologise to past students who had to put up with me saying “paint the rainbow on your forehand.”
Basketball is another favourite sport of mine, along with golf.
I don’t mind a bit fishing, however my ‘ugly stick’ tends to get caught on strange objects, quite a lot, so if some locals can teach me how to fish that would be much appreciated.
I like to think that I’m not a one dimensional sports maniac.
Since moving to the country I’ve learnt it’s great to be involved in everything.
I’ve attended Country Women’s Association functions, poetry nights and even embroidery club meetings.
I learnt an afternoon at the Embroidery Club will leave you in stitches. Pun intended.
I apologise in advance for the lame dad jokes and puns that may fill the Katherine Times, but I won’t stop making them.
I love being a journalist and I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Katherine on November 20.
Bob Dylan said “the times they are a changing,” and I hope the Katherine Times are in for a change for the better.
> You can contact Paul Bidmeade, the new Katherine Times journalist at paul.bidmeade@fairfaxmedia.com.au