A recent mine explosion in Cobar, New South Wales, has left two people dead, reigniting discussions about the emotional toll of reporting in small communities. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the lasting effects such events have on local journalists and their towns. Earlier this year, the deaths of two young boys in Coonabarabran, allegedly caused by their grandmother, similarly shook the community and highlighted the challenges faced by local reporters. Kait Britton, editor of the Coonabarabran Times, shared how this incident changed her perspective on her role as a journalist. “My piece was born out of frustration at a very tragic event that occurred in our town with the loss of two little boys,” Britton said. Her heartfelt reflection, titled "I Measure Every Grief I Meet," earned her the Editorial of the Year award at the Country Press NSW Awards. As a mother of three young children, Britton felt a personal connection to the tragedy. “I wasn't just an editor and a journalist, I was also a mum to three young children who were impacted by what happened. So I turned to words,” she explained. Britton emphasized the importance of acknowledging the community's feelings. “There are long-term impacts affecting our community long after the event,” she said. “I still have to live here and get groceries, so we tread lightly and we are sensitive to issues that happen here. We report the facts, but we do it in a sensitive way.” She also noted the differences between local and metropolitan media. “I do realize that I'm part of the media pack, but I was an outsider to the metropolitan journalists,” Britton said. “There were people there talking about what was happening on the weekend, but I was worried about how I was going to break the news to my children and write about it for my community.” The investigation into the Cobar mine explosion is expected to be lengthy, according to a leading Australian expert in mining safety. The expert noted that “mining is getting more complex,” which could prolong the inquiry. Tricia Duffield, editor of Bourke's Western Herald, echoed the sentiment of community connection. “Newspapers are the fabric of our local communities, so when tragedy like this strikes, it's felt deeply in our region,” she said. Duffield highlighted the role of local media in helping communities process and remember tragedies. “Without local media, radio, and newspapers, how do we keep the issues that are important to us alive?” she asked. As communities grapple with the aftermath of these tragedies, local journalists continue to navigate the delicate balance of reporting while being sensitive to the emotional landscape of their towns.