Hello everyone. I am Janet McKinney, and I have been dragooned into being the editor for the Gunsmoke at the recent AGM. Actually, I did volunteer - it has been a dream of mine for several years to be a part of a community publication like this.

I completed a Degree in Mass Communication in 2004, and discovered a real passion for writing and communication.

It is my vision to see the GunSmoke work hand-in-hand with the website to provide you - the residents, business people and workers in Gungahlin - a vehicle to have your voice heard in the community.


GunSmoke is a wonderful community paper, and I congratulate Roma and Evelyn for their excellent work over the past 15 years in establishing this valuable resource for the community.

GunSmoke will be making some changes in the near future, but our purpose is to make it more useful and friendly to you the reader. Don't be shy with your ideas! Contact me at gunsmoke at gcc.asn.au (yes you have to replace the "at" with "@" to beat the spammers) with what you want to see in a new format.

Some of the ideas we are working on are:

• Letters to the Editor - this is your forum. As there is such a long period between Gunsmoke editions, we will provide a place for your letters to be read on the website in between editions. Yes, of course I retain editorial rights to your letters - we don't want to be sued for slander you know.
• Vox Pop - the voice of the people. Don't be surprised if you get approached in the shopping centres for your opinion on a range of matters. There will be an opportunity for you to express your opinion from the website as well.
• Photographs - well I have a problem with this one. I am a writer not a photographer. Are there some people out there who just love their camera and would be willing to take some photographs of what is happening in Gungahlin for the Gunsmoke and the website? Contact me at gunsmoke at gcc.asn.au if you would like to volunteer your talent with the lens.
• Business Directory - a place for Gungahlin businesses to let us know what they have to offer. It makes sense economically and environmentally to use businesses that are close to home.  Who wants to travel all the way to Woden for a car service when you can have it done right here in our community?  For a very competitive rate, businesses can be listed in the Gunsmoke business directory and on the website in the near future.
• Advertising - this is where reality takes its bite. The Gunsmoke is financed exclusively through its advertising. We are working on some changes to the format of advertising to make your advertisement have more punch for its buck.  

Businesses, community groups and organisations, sporting teams and service providers - this is your opportunity to make your presence in the community known, and support your local community. Please consider being a part of our newspaper.  
When we reach a viable level of advertising revenue, I believe we need to move to a monthly publication.

That is enough for now - but ideas wake me up at 2.00 in the morning and so lots more will happen over time.

See you soon
Janet McKinney

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