STEVE ETWELL

STEVE Etwell has set the daily news agenda in the Darling Downs for the past 12 years. Respecting the power of traditional media,

The Chronicle editor-in-chief has championed the Toowoomba community’s success in a way only a tangible news source can.

Celebrating its wins, mourning its losses and fighting always for a fair go, Mr Etwell and the team he leads have been there for the region.

With more than three decades of experience behind him, he leads one of regional Australia’s largest newsrooms with 18 journalists, publishing the daily newspaper and website reaching two out of three people in the region.

He pressed hard for the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing and Inland Rail, backed pivotal infrastructure and development, and held the Federal Government to account on social issues such as the Oakey groundwater contamination scandal - and backed the Wagners in their Wellcamp airport efforts.

Going from print to digital and adapting to the changing media landscape, Mr Etwell has extended the reach and availability of the daily news source.

From print to online, he and his newsroom have won prestigious industry awards including PANPA, multiple Website of the Year gongs and being named Editor of the Year in 2014 - the second in his career.

Toowoomba’s voice is amplified through his efforts, most notably - and controversially when he called on the front page for the Yes vote during the same-sex marriage plebiscite.

He has been described as a courageous editor - one not afraid to expose wrong and point out injustice.

He was awarded News Corp’s 2018 global news scholarship, recognising his success leading a changing digital landscape.