Journalist Pam Zierk-Mahoney , formerly of Mansfield, has won the position of Editor of the newly-formed Riverina Media Group, which operates the Gundagai Independent, Tumut and Adelong Times, and Tumbarumba Times newspapers.

The Wangaratta-based North East Media group (Provincial Press), run by the Higgins family over the past century, has taken over the titles from the Wilkie Watson group, and also includes the Temora Independent, Narrandera Argus and The Lake News (Lake Cargeligo) in New South Wales.

Ms Zierk-Mahoney was previously part of the Mansfield Courier team, part of the North East Media group. Her career also included stints at the Geelong News and Geelong Independent titles.

It has been a busy 12 months for the North East Media group, which also took on seven other NSW titles in a venture with Australian Community Media: Pakres Champion-P:ost, Forbes Advocate, Canowindra News, Grenfell Record, Cowra Guardian, Boorowaq News and Young Witness.