The latest 'fresh face' to join the Western Plains App has a long history with rural news and has carved out a career getting amongst the stories of regional communities. 

"We're very pleased to welcome Abigail McLaughlin to the Western Plains App," said Managing Editor Lee O'Connor. 

"She brings an amazing range of experience and fabulous connections across so many different areas." 

"She also has a deep appreciation of the complexities of life out here and is clearly very invested in both the news and strengthening communities so we feel she's a great fit for what we're trying to achieve with the App." 

Abigail grew up on a property at the edge of Lake George near the small township of Bungendore, between Canberra and Goulburn, and after completing a Communications degree at the University of Canberra embarked on a series of roles as a regional journalist. 

She cut her teeth at the Queanbeyan Age and Yass Tribune before switching to a more agricultural focus with The Land newspaper. 

Her seven year stint with The Land took her from North Richmond to Tamworth and eventually to Dubbo where she moved from being Rural Reporter to Magazine Editor. 

Marrying Jim McLaughlin brought her to 'Merryanbone', their mixed farming and Merino stud property located on Duck Creek between Nyngan and Warren. 

While raising their three children – now aged 22, 20 and 17 – Abigail still managed to maintain her career working as a freelance writer for publications including Cotton Outlook, Outback magazine, Eye to Eye and The Bulletin. 

At one point she wrote speeches and media releases for National Party politician John Cobb who was Member for Parkes before Mark Coulton. 

More recently Abigail has been Community and Economic Development Officer for Bogan Shire Council, finishing in August 2021, and continues to provide Communications services to them on a contract basis as well as teaching at TAFE and "doing a bit of whatever." 

Abigail McLaughlin is adding the Western Plains App to her list of activities. PHOTO SUPPLIED.

Abigail says she is looking forward to being part of the team bringing regional news to regional people through the Western Plains App. 

"I think it's probably the future but we really need to educate people about it," she said. 

"It's not a natural way of getting news for a lot of people out here but once people learn it and are looking for it, it'll be invaluable." 

Despite the distances involved Abigail says being part of the team being built across the region was part of the reason she put her hand up to get involved. 

"I'm really excited about the idea of working with journos again," Abigail said. 

"I haven't done that since I left The Land newspaper in 2000." 

As a professional all-rounder, Abigail says she doesn't expect to be working on any specific subjects when she is reporting for the Western Plains App. 

"I've always loved profile pieces and bend toward magazine content but I love a news story if one comes my way," she said. 

"One of our jobs at The Land was to go to country shows on the weekends, and my editor said any reporter worth their salt would find stories beyond the show and if you're driving along the road and see a farmer in the paddock - get out and see what they're doing."

"That took a lot of guts as a 20-something-year-old but it's stuck with me," Abigail said. 

"Stories are out there everywhere, you just have to see them.".