Tracking Onslow: a community in transition. edition 6, mid 2015

As far as I know, this is the final edition of Tracking Onslow. Back in 2012 a collaboration was born between Edith Cowan University and the Shire of Ashburton. We agreed to make a series of six magazines over three years in order to track the impact of the gas hubs on the Onslow community. The deal required an understanding on the part of the Shire that the journalism in the magazine would be independent. This magazine is not a PR tool for the shire, for Chevron, for the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or for any particular group in the community.Our aim instead is to do the things that journalism ideally should do, and one of these is to function as a town square where everyone’s views are shared, so that questions can be answered and issues debated. This means that if we speak to people who are critical of the Shire or Chevron or other groups then those views can be published here. We hope that in doing so we give all of the parties involved in shaping Onslow’s future an opportunity to respond to each others’ concerns.Over the life of the project 19 ECU journalism students have worked on it and many of those are now working in the media industry. Overall, it’s been fascinating to be a part of this turbulent time Onslow’s story. We wish you all well and thank those of you who took the time to share your stories, perceptions, views and concerns.Best wishes for a harmonious future,