The Western Plains App plans to welcome a string of new casual reporters around the region in coming weeks and the latest to join the team is Gina Martin. 

Born and raised in Cobar, Gina considers herself an ‘iron ringer’.

“I’ve been here my whole life. I did move away for about a year and a half and worked on a dairy farm down in Eugowra…(Cobar) is very small and very isolated, but it’s home,” Gina said. 

With just a few days under her belt as a casual reporter, Gina said there is plenty for her to learn.

"I haven't had Facebook for about two years but the App is such a different way of sharing," she said. "I'm really interested to see where it goes."

Prior to arriving at the Western Plains App, Gina had found herself in a completely different role, working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service as a mental health, drug and alcohol community engagement officer.

Gina Martin is excited to be using her talents and local knowledge to bring Cobar's stories to app readers.

The 26 year old may be new on the journalism scene, but it’s not her first time sharing other people’s voices. 

“Mental health is a passion of mine…I kind of grew an interest in being a voice and a support for people, because, you know, it’s a silent killer,” she said. 

“It’s still stigmatised in these smaller communities and it’s just nice for people to have someone who knows, and someone they can turn to if they need to.”

In the meantime, Gina is eager to report on the happenings across the Western Plains App, shining a light on the trials and triumphs of living in Western NSW. 

“Being in isolated communities is tough enough as it is, but there’s a lot of issues contributing to that, and we don’t have access to a lot of services,” she said. 

Gina will cover issues across the Western Plains from her post in Cobar. 

Editor of the Western Plains App, Lee O'Connor, said she was excited to welcome Gina to the team.

"Gina has come highly recommended for her understanding of the local community and for her creative talents so we're confident she'll be able to turn her hand to news reporting," she said.

"It will be great to be able to share more of what's happening in the western parts of our Western Plains region."