Plenty of positive stories in Wanganui

Mark Dawson, Editor of Wanganui Chronicle

From adversity comes strength ... and the strength of feeling in Wanganui over last weekend's drubbing by the Sunday current affairs programme has been rattling the Richter scale.

It has been a strange week at the Chronicle with phone calls, personal visits, emails and letters from outraged Wanganui-ites, all incensed, all wanting to do something - or wanting the Chronicle to do something.

One woman thought we should publish a list of those people from the district who had gone on to national or international acclaim. Not a bad idea - she kicked it off with Sir Jerry Mateparae.

In many ways it is flattering to be a touchstone for such strength of feeling, and it has given us all pause for thought about our district and how we can address negative perceptions of it.

The anger and sense of injustice over the TV programme was understandable, and that emotional energy can be transformed into a positive if we remember that we are our own best ambassadors.

If the Sunday show galvanises greater community spirit and action to promote Wanganui better, maybe it will prove a blessing in disguise.

Already MP Chester Borrows has got TVNZ willing to return and look at some of our economic success stories, while - lo and behold - a TV crew from Campbell Live was in town yesterday seeking, hopefully, a more accurate representation of what we have to offer.

Mayor Annette Main is organising a public meeting for October 6 to discuss ways of improving the district's image, while the A Place To Live conference in November should also offer some useful ideas.

The Chronicle has, of course, been finger-pointed as a source of Wanganui's negative image. It is true that stories about the wastewater plant problems, roaming dogs etc do not reflect kindly on the district, but these issues are real and serious and we would be derelict in our duty if we did not treat them as such.

That said, there are scores of positive stories in our pages each week celebrating the many notable achievements by people and organisations in our community. And we are always keen to hear more.

I am constantly impressed by the number of successful and unique businesses in Wanganui - and just a bit sorry that they seem shy about having their efforts reported in our news pages. Perhaps it's time for them to start banging the drum.