Three clients from the Yooralla Community Hub, in Benalla, recently had the experience of a lifetime visiting the McPherson Media Group Printing Press in Wodonga, on Wednesday, January 29.
Joel Lotherington, Andrew Forster and Vito Hajro had popped into the Ensign office on Bridge St East a few weeks earlier and inquired about seeing how a newspaper was printed.
The staff in Wodonga who operate the press were more than happy to invite the men for a tour.
Yooralla Community Hub disability support worker Vicky Lane said the day started with a picturesque drive up the Hume Fwy, at a leisurely pace.
“We arrived and entered the vast building and were met by Peter (Brown), the production manager, who welcomed us warmly and gave us an outline of the printing press operations,” she said.
“We suited up, handsomely, into high-vis, and put our ear plugs in at the door into the operational area.”
Vicky, Joel, Andrew and Vito were then escorted in to see the printing press and were told how it all works.
“We saw the huge rolls of paper, and the whole process, right through to seeing the finished product, where newspaper copies literally ‘hot off the press’ were put into our hands,” Vicky said.
“The press manager, Scott Wilson, and foreman, Jason Boyer, welcomed us up to the second level to see the top of the printing towers.”
Vicky said Vito and Joel were full of smiles when they were allowed to flick the switches that powered up some of the huge machinery.
“We were welcomed warmly wherever we went throughout the plant, by all the workers who were busy doing their respective roles.”
Vicky said Joel, Andrew and Vito were engaged throughout the tour and on the drive home were happy and chatting about the experience.
“I am grateful to (the Ensign, McPherson Media Group and Newsprinters) for this opportunity, provided so generously and in a way that made it truly interesting for us all.”
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