She grew up in Inverell from age one and her school years were forged at Ross Hill and Inverell High.

“My parents are both teachers at Inverell High and my oldest brother taught there for a while as well,” Naomi said.

She grew up in a household that encouraged learning and her natural curiosity. 

University was a probability for Naomi, but the tougher part was choosing her direction.

“I always knew I wanted to study more, because I’m a bit of a dork,” she laughed.

“I love learning and especially when it comes to words and people and all those things that journalism is about.

“You actually get to get out and talk to people and be part of the community, which is really cool.”

She investigated a Bachelor of Journalism, but as a self-admitted high achiever, she wanted more.

She earned a double degree with a Bachelor Degree in Journalism and International Studies.

Naomi is currently working on her Masters of Digital Media with the University of Newcastle.

Her road ahead seems rich in possibilities, but Naomi said it was hard to know where she might end up.

“My big problem is I am interested in so much, so many things, that I really struggle to narrow it down and say, ‘Yes, this is where I see myself in five or ten years’, because I see so many different opportunities,” she said.

“What I’d really love, I suppose, at the end of the day is a job where I get to write, be a little bit creative, do something with people, and that I felt had a good purpose behind it.”

Naomi will be working on community news for the print edition of the Times as well as writing for the Times website.