mmg.com.au

Kialla mother of three Karen Parker has always been fascinated by words and how newspapers work — which is why she jumped at a chance to be a journalist for a day.

Ms Parker is one of five Shepparton district residents selected in the The News’ You Write The News competition.

‘‘I’m very interested in the news. Every morning I read the Shepp News and The Age online. I’m interested in our community and how news is collected and disseminated,’’ she said.

After several years of working as an operating theatre nurse in Shepparton, Ms Parker decided on a change of direction a few years ago.

‘‘I’ve always loved English and history, so I thought I should make a career of it,’’ she said.

She studied part-time for a Bachelor of Arts degree at La Trobe University and went on to complete a postgraduate Diploma of Education last year.

She is now looking for teaching work.

But meanwhile, she wants to combine her love of words and research by delving into an intruiging slice of Australian history.

‘‘Every town has a Ned Kelly story — I was in Beechworth with friends recently and I thought ‘what’s Shepparton’s connection to Ned Kelly?’,’’ she said.

Ms Parker has already discovered a News article from May 22, 1878 which mentions the infamous bushranger.

You can read the results of her research and interviews with local amateur historians together with stories by the four other competition winners in The News next week.