General News
2 October, 2026
Stewart signs off after four decades
After more than 40 years, Scott Stewart departs the Wimmera Mallee News family, poised to embark on a new chapter in life.
After more than 40 years, Scott Stewart departs the Wimmera Mallee News family, poised to embark on a new chapter in life.
Since 1986, the man known by many names, Scotty, Scotts and even Stew, has been a cornerstone of the Warracknabeal Herald.
When the fresh-faced 18-year-old joined the Warracknabeal Herald, photographs were on film and newspaper pages were put together by hand.
Scott was farewelled by past and present Wimmera Mallee News staff on September 18 at the Warracknabeal Racing Club, ahead of his final day on the press on September 25.
Wimmera Mallee News director Andrew Ward said Scott would be sorely missed.
“Forty years in the newspaper industry is a huge effort, constant deadlines, breakdowns and the pressure of getting the paper out on time, week after week.
“That is close to 7000 issues that Scott has helped get out the door, every single one of them with a deadline.”
Andrew said Scott has evolved as the industry itself grew, noting much of what he first learned four decades ago has since been replaced by new technology and processes.
“To Scott’s credit, he has adapted to it all, and just got on with the job with no fuss,” he said.
“Right through until now, Scott has been willing to have a go at anything.
“It’s only in the last few years that he learned to run the press, a huge change from his usual role of typesetting and designing ads at the computer.”
Andrew said Scott was dependable, loyal, and rarely missed a day of work.
“A huge amount of the growth, steadiness and success can be attributed to Scott, and the work he has reliably done in the background without any fuss,” he said.
“We’re all very grateful to have had you part of the team for so long.”
Wimmera Mallee News owner David Ward said Scott was a highly valuable colleague.
“Scotty is a real team player and virtually part of the family,” he said.
“He’s worked through thick and thin of it all, rarely with complaint.
“He’s been here in the early hours and then late into the night with no helpers, equipment breakdowns, press crashes and power failures.”
David added Scott’s knowledge of locals came in handy countless times, often picking out people in pictures whose names were missing, or in some cases, created on the spot.
“Scotty’s invaluable local knowledge has been enormous over the years, especially when he picked out all the bogus names provided for captions at the Easter sprint winners, which they thought was funny,” he recalled.
“You’ve been a friend and an extremely valuable part of the Herald for all of your working life.
“We’ll miss you, Scotty and wish you and Nicole everything that you wish for in your new life ahead.
“Don’t forget the door is always open, mate.”
Scott expressed gratitude to Frank Ward for taking a chance on him when he was inexperienced and just starting out.
“They took a chance on me. A Big Chance,” he said.
After settling in, Scott valued the opportunity to work with a diverse group of colleagues over the years.
“I've worked with a lot of people over the many years and seen plenty come and go from the front office,” he said.
“Plenty of characters, which made for some great Christmas parties.
“Working with Jenny Stewart was always a calming influence. She was always organised and made our job that much easier.”
Scott noted that changes in his role renewed his enthusiasm for the business.
He explained that reintroducing the Horsham Times during the Covid-19 pandemic provided him with renewed purpose.
“The Horsham Times created a whole new challenge and really changed my work,” he said.
“It gave me purpose and something to work with every day; it really changed my life.
“I even ended up writing some sports stories, which I enjoyed…”
Transitioning to the printing side of the business was the final skill Scott aimed to master.
“Moving into the printing side of things a few years ago was another good change.
“It gave me more diversity in a job and got me out of the production side, where I was getting a bit stale.”
Scott joked that the Goss Newspaper Press has never been on his side.
“I'm in my first week with this printing thing… I think the first time I ever put a plate on, I messed it up,” he said.
“The first time I ever folded a plate, I messed it up. To this day, we’re still not friends.”
Scott highlighted the versatility of his role, which allowed him and his wife Nicole to raise their young family locally.
“Warracknabeal has been a great place to raise a young family,” he said.
“Working at the Herald gave me the flexibility to be there for the kids, drop-offs, the pick-ups, and all the school activities along the way.
“That flexibility meant a lot to us.”
Scott thanked everyone he had the pleasure of working with throughout the 40 years.
“It's been a great ride with plenty of laughs,” he said.
“It has let me have a career and a family life at the same time, which to us is very important.
“I miss the people, but not the press."
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