mmg.com.au

Alan English has an ideal surname for a journalist.

It is no wonder the Shepparton retiree is excited to use his English skills as one of five News journalists for a day on Tuesday.

‘‘I was expecting to learn about the daily composition of a newspaper, I wasn’t expecting to be the new boy as a journalist,’’ Mr English, 83, said.

‘‘I hope to improve my skills with being able to present something because I occasionally write (letters) for The News.

‘‘If there is something I feel is important, I will say my piece.’’

Mr English remains interested in agriculture, a school subject he taught for 15 years until 1974.

He has six tanks that save a combined 10000 litres of water at his house.

The keen gardener has gradually replaced grass in his back and front yards with flowers and vegetables.

‘‘My wife (Lola) lives in a nursing home, but she spends a day or two at our house each week,’’ Mr English said.

‘‘I want the garden to look nice the days she visits.’’

Mr English moved to Shepparton in 1965 and taught at the former North Technical College before retiring.

The Shepparton Scots’ Uniting Church parishioner volunteered driving for the disabled for 20 years.

‘‘I am keen about the community — social welfare and what is being done to improve it,’’ Mr English said.

‘‘I want to hear more positive news because bad news only gives people depression.’’

The News selected five applicants to join its editorial team for one day.

The lucky five will spend a whole day with the editorial team — attending jobs with journalists and photographers, offering story ideas and writing their own story about an issue of their choice.

Read tomorrow’s News for another profile about one of the competition winners.