Raphaella Kathryn (RK) Crosby – Publisher
Raphaella (or Kath to many in the New England) is a journalist and broadcaster with extensive political and industry experience. She founded New England Times as the first step in a three stage vision to give the New England region back her voice. An experienced leader, she is also the founder and chair of health charity Migraine Australia, and is passionate about delivering the services people need and want where governments and big business have failed. Having travelled extensively for her consulting and strategy work, and needing to be near major hospitals when her hemiplegic migraine demands it, she will always call the New England home and tries to get back to Armidale as often as possible. Her fun weekend job is keeping her hand in radio on the Super Radio Network. Raphaella is the main editor of New England Times and heads up the Investigations Unit.
Kate Brown – Senior Journalist and Editor
Kate is a proud mum of two with a wealth of journalism, media and communications experience across the New England and its surrounding regions. She raises guide dogs in her spare time, loves a good chat with her friends and colleagues, and enjoys living her best life floating between country living and the big smoke. In addition to being one of our main story writers, Kate helps manage our newsdesk and freelancers.
Tom Plevey – Senior Correspondent
Former Bingara and now Tamworth local Tom is a highly experienced journalist and former editor of the Gwydir Times. He also writes for The Guardian Australia’s regional freelance team. Tom works mostly on Investigative Unit stories, politics, and Tamworth stories.
Bec Gracie – Senior Journalist
Tamworth based Bec is a senior journalist specialising in country music with more than a decade’s service at the Northern Daily Leader.
Marie Low – Senior Journalist
Marie Low has over thirty years experience as a journalist and communicator, including stints as the editor of the Namoi Valley Independent and Tenterfield Star.
Michèle Jedlicka – Senior Journalist
Delungra based Michèle is a highly experienced local news journalist and former group editor for the The Inverell Times, Goondiwindi Argus, Moree Champion, and Border News when these great mastheads were owned by Fairfax. She is also a photographer and videographer, currently working on an independent film.
Michelle Hespe – Senior Journalist
Michelle has worked as an editor, journalist, travel writer, foreign correspondent and TV presenter over the past 25 years, including producing the NSW Farmer magazine for a number of years, and extensive experience in business reporting.
Penelope Shaw – Journalist
Penelope is a broad spectrum writer and journalist by trade and passion. After spending over a decade working in health and government, she was awarded her Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in English Literature in 2018, and has since pursued writing full time. The softest spot in her heart is reserved for stories about literature, the performing arts and good food. In her free time, Penelope enjoys travelling with her family, playing the piano, reading and photography.
Jim A Barker – Journalist and Photographer
Respected photographer Jim A Barker started just doing snaps for us, until he revealed he can write a yarn too.
Beth Platford – Journalist
Beth resides in the village of Rocky River, near Uralla. She is heavily involved in the local community – both with the school as a parent, and as an advocate for the recognition and preservation of Rocky River’s unique history. Beth strongly believes that small communities are largely unsupported in mainstream media channels. She is proud to help give these places and their people a voice, in support of their proud history, spirit, and character.
Reuben Artmann – Digital Content and Data Journalist
Originally from Melbourne, Reuben is a chef who fell in love with data and works with the team to display data better.
Lia Edwards – Staff Writer
Lia is a disability advocate and writer who lives on a classic Northern Tablelands property where you can’t see anything but nature. She is the main staff member who manages the newsdesk, writing up stories from press releases and other announcements.
Molly Beare – Student Journalist
Molly is a final year journalism student at Griffith University who proudly calls Tamworth home.
Joanna Dolan – Sub Editor
One luxury we insist on keeping for our investigative pieces is a sub-editor. Jo is a professional editor and proud Rocky River resident who provides this service for us.
Ingrid Rothe – Advertising and Marketing
With RK since the beginning of the idea, Ingrid and her team at Vivid Thinking are integral to the success of the New England Times assisting with advertising, graphic creation and branding.
Skye Simpson – Advertising
Makenzie Wall – Advertising
Mak is a UNE student studying animal science and one of our advertising sales representatives.