Courtney will return to the chair on Monday after nine months of being a full-time mum, while eagerly searching for some adult interaction.

When she handed me the reigns last September she said I would have no issues and that I could lead the nations third-oldest newspaper "in my sleep".

What the boss failed to tell me was the government was about to announce Westbury as the site for the Northern Prison, 'you have to deal with all this HR stuff and paperwork', and 'oh, a global pandemic is about to turn the world upside down!'

It's been a challenge, but I have enjoyed acting as editor of a publication that I have worked at since I left college 10.5 years ago.

Most of all I have enjoyed working with Northern Tasmanians on several projects to try and deliver better outcomes, while ensuring our readers were well informed with the public health information they needed to get through the height of COVID-19.

But the most rewarding aspect has by far been working closely with the talent within The Examiner newsroom who work hard daily to deliver our loyal subscribers a community-minded news service worth paying for.

Thank you all for your support.