Local writer and online editor of The IndyNR.com, Susanna Freymark, has been awarded Local Woman of the Year for the Lismore electorate.
Lismore MP Janelle Saffin (Labor) paid tribute to the experienced journalist, saying her strong commitment to independent local news reporting reflected the distinct local communities of the Kyogle and Richmond Valley Local Government Areas.
“Susanna would be modest in accepting this accolade but is most deserving of it because she works hard to keep people informed of goings-on, particularly seniors with The Inky, a free print-your-own newspaper,” Ms Saffin said.
Ms Freymark thanked Ms Saffin, saying she was far more comfortable telling other people’s stories with the aim of keeping communities connected rather than being the centre of attention.
A former primary school teacher in Central Australia, Ms Freymark holds a Master of Arts in creative writing from UTS and previously edited The Richmond River Independent and The Richmond River Express Examiner newspapers.
Smoke, her collection of short stories and a poem, will be launched at the Kyogle Library on Friday, 8 May, from 5.30pm.
Her debut novel, Losing February, was published in 2013.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
