Robert has been with the Register for decades. There's hardly a local he doesn't know or who doesn't know him. I've walked the streets with him many times and on each occasion he's bailed up by people wanting to say G'day or share a story lead. This is how local journalism is done. We have a beat and we "walk" it with ears and eyes open.

Stuart Thomson was virtually walking his beat, scouring Twitter for leads, when he chanced upon a tweet from Aboriginal academic Marlene Longbottom, who'd taken aim at a statue of Alexander Berry, saying it pushed aside the suffering Indigenous people endured when the region was settled by Europeans. It's a thoughtful read that stresses how important it is to view history from all perspectives.

Courtney Ward also focused attention on racism. His interview with the El Togby brothers is a fascinating insight into the ways young people from multicultural backgrounds routinely confront discrimination. Their clever way of drawing attention to racism - by wearing one white and one black sock - has won praise throughout their school community.

In good news for gardeners this week, Shoalhaven City Council will be sending out three free green waste tipping vouchers. Of course, this triggered renewed calls for a green bin service, understandable really given the constant reminders to keep our properties clean ahead of the looming bushfire season.

Meanwhile, long suffering residents of Berry will be pleased to hear tenders have been called for the noise wall for which they've been campaigning since the bypass was completed. At last, peace and quiet is on the horizon.