Narromine has welcomed a new resident in the form of Western Plains App reporter Luke Williams as he takes up the role of journalist at a local newspaper. 

Luke started to get to know the western plains region when he was selected to be a 'remote reporter' for the Western Plains App in December 2022 - and he liked what he learned.

He spent the first few months working from his home in Brisbane, but the stories and people of the western plains soon sparked his curiosity.

Inspired by the adventure of “going west”, the 43-year-old journalist, who is also the author of two books, wasn’t quite sure what to expect when he made the move from Brisbane recently but was pleasantly surprised by what he found. 

“I thought it would be semi-arid with sparse bushland and a temperate climate. It’s not! But it’s very cold here, coming from Brisbane,” he said. 

It’s a big change for the author and journalist who grew up in the sub-tropical climate of Bundaberg, Queensland, and has lived in Brisbane and overseas for several years. 

“People have been very welcoming and are pleased to have a reporter in town, and know I am new to small town life,” he said. 

Busy immersing himself into the central west community and culture, Mr Williams is keen to hear the stories of local people and what is important to them. 

“I’m getting to know what people want to know about. There is a commonality of issues across towns and cities. Things like housing, particularly in Narromine and surrounds, access to mental health services, the cost of living, renting, rising interest rates, and people now [living] in poverty,” he said. 

Having previously worked for ABC Radio and written for publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian, Brisbane Times, Crikey, The Global Mail, The Weekend Australian and Eureka Street earlier in his career, Mr Williams returned to journalism with the Western Plains App in the last year and is now the sole journalist at independent weekly, The Narromine Star. 

With his background, Mr Williams is keenly interested in investigative journalism and is looking forward to exploring this further in the western plains. 

“Being a reporter is the best job, as is being able to write stories that make a difference. It’s a fantastic job and a privilege to do it,” he said. 

Keep an eye out for Luke Williams as he further explores the region and don’t be afraid to say “hi” if you see him out and about in your local community.