Cape York Weekly’s Chisa Hasegawa shows off the 200th edition cake as she reflects on her top five stories and why she loves community-driven, public-interest journalism. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
As I pass one year at the Cape York Weekly, it has been my honour to learn about the wonderful people who make up these unique communities.
I didn’t imagine I’d begin my career writing about Cape York, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.
The interesting characters I’ve spoken to, the talented and hardworking people I’ve written about, the conversations that taught me something I didn’t know, and the stories that pushed my limits and helped me grow have made this journey incredible.
A huge thank you to my mentors – Lyndon, Matt and Sarah – for helping me become the journalist I am today, and the journalist I hope to become in the future.
FIFA rolls out red carpet for Aurukun girls (Edition 147 – 15 August 2023)
It’s always great to hear about young people in remote Indigenous communities getting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity like this for their hard work. This story was about six girls from PCYC Aurukun who were selected to attend an all-expenses-paid trip to watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup. It was also my first connection to PCYC Aurukun youth support worker Norma, who has helped me highlight Aurukun’s hardworking youth many times since.
Parents call out bullies after daughter’s struggle (Edition 166 – 9 January 2024)
Up until this story, I had only really written positive stories, so when I was asked to cover a young girl’s suicide attempt after struggles with bullying, I was incredibly nervous. It was heartbreaking to talk to her parents, who wanted to spread awareness about the impact bullying can have, but I was also honoured that they felt safe to share their family’s story with me. I was very touched when they thanked me for the story, and it humanised journalism to another level and reminded me how important this job is.
Barefoot Ballerinas win new fans (Edition 189 – 18 June 2024)
As a former ballet dancer, I am an absolute sucker for tiny dancers in pink tutus. We attended this year’s Cooktown Discovery Festival, where I finally got to see the Hope Vale Barefoot Ballerinas live – spoiler alert, they’re even cuter than the photos show. I loved hearing about how the kids used dance to connect with their culture and learn their language.
The tiny Barefoot Ballerinas from Hope Vale were one of the standout performances of the 2024 Cooktown Discovery Festival. Photo: Chisa Hasegawa.
It’s a boy: Vin makes history as first Weipa-born baby in 25 years (Edition 187 – 4 June 2024)
My first front page byline – of course, it has to make the top five. In all seriousness, after writing about the many challenges of healthcare in remote communities, it was nice to write about a win as big as this. After learning about the travel soon-to-be-mothers had to undertake, often without their partner, it was amazing to hear that they would be able to give birth in their hometown surrounded by family and friends.
‘Heartbreaking’ fake Indigenous art drives artists from industry (Edition 177 – 26 March 2024)
For this story, I spoke to Kuku-Thaypan and Widi artist Connie Rovina, who told me all about the devastating history of Queensland Indigenous art. After rampant plagiarism drove First Nations artists out of the industry and essentially erased Queensland’s unique style, Ms Rovina has made it her mission to promote the state’s distinctive art style. When I think about the fact that I would have never even know this if not for this job, it makes me glad to be a journalist and have the opportunity to chat with people with so much knowledge.
It would be wrong to not include your first page one byline in your top five stories, especially for a yarn as important at little Vin Thorogood’s historic entry into the world in late May. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
