JOY Cunningham is well-informed on global, national and local current affairs, although she freely admits to slowing down a bit in recent years.
And, at 95 years of age, she’s got every right to take things a little easier.
Despite failing eyesight, Joy still reads daily newspapers and watches news bulletins when she can.
Not that long ago, this Moree icon was every newspaper editor’s favourite.
Joy not only read the local news, but she analysed the content and shared her views.
Over the years, Joy’s letters to the editor filled column inches week in, week out, and her opinion was sought and respected.
Her letter-writing has slowed down considerably in recent years – and so has her stance on local issues, she says with a smile.
“I used to be a bit of a stirrer and get very wound up about everything, but not anymore,” she grinned.
Joy Cunningham, 95, is still very much interested in local news (Image Copyright)
Joy was a regular contributor to the “letters” page in local newspapers, long before the internet and social media became the preferred method to get opinions heard.
During the 1980s, 1990s and into the 2000s, Joy shared her thoughts – especially on local politics – with thousands of readers across the black-soil plains, much to the delight of editors, sub-editors and journalists.
It’s an absolute honour to now have Joy share her thoughts with Moree Online News, as part of our website launch.
“I’m still interested in what’s happening, but I’ve slowed down a bit,” Joy said.
These days she’s not quite up to putting pen to paper – arthritis gives her fingers merry hell – but she was tickled pink when told 10 of the 15 candidates in the upcoming Moree Plains Shire local government elections were women.
“That’s a bit of a blow for the boys, but it might liven up the show a bit,” she grinned.
Joy is as cheeky as ever. Her wry sense of humour shines brightly, and the possibility of a nine-member council being dominated by women makes her smile.
“I wonder if Moree is ready for that,” she mused.
“They’re all game. Local government is a funny thing, and it’s very interesting to see the girls stepping up.
“It will be big news, of course, but it won’t be unusual because this sort of thing seems to be happening in other places as well,” she said.
Moree’s list of candidates includes current deputy mayor Susannah Pearse and current councillors Mekayla Cochrane, Kelly James and Brooke Sauer.
Debbie Williams, Fred McGrady, Peter Mailler, Wayne Tighe, Dominique Hodgkinson, Karen Munn and Liz Taylor are first-timers in the race for a seat in the Max Centre bunker.
They join former Moree councillors Stephen Ritchie, Michael Ivanov, Kerry Cassells and Meryl Dillon, who are seeking a return to the fold after previous terms.
Mayor Mark Johnson, as well as councillors Lisa Orchin, Greg Smith, Murray Hartin and Mike Montgomery have not stood for re-election.
“I heard the mayor was stepping down, but I really haven’t been in touch with what’s been happening. Not as much as I used to, anyway,” Joy said.
“But an all-female Moree Council? Now, that’s very interesting,” she winked.
Words and Image: Bill Poulos
FOOTNOTE: Moree Online News will extensively cover the local government elections in the coming days.
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