Friday, 25 July 2003
Waikato Times Editor Retires
Venetia Sherson announced her retirement from the position of Editor of the Waikato Times today.
Ms Sherson has "had a remarkable career shaping one of New Zealand's most successful newspapers," Fairfax New Zealand Chief Operating Officer Peter O'Hara said.
"Her record of service to the Waikato Times will always be a part of the successful history of this outstanding newspaper," Mr O'Hara said.
Venetia Sherson first joined the Waikato Times as a reporter in 1966 - her first job - and filled roles including deputy editor and chief sub-editor before becoming editor in August 1997.
She worked elsewhere as a journalist for newspapers and magazines during the intervening years but spent most of her career at the Hamilton-based newspaper.
Ms Sherson decided earlier this year to leave the editorship but first wished to complete an important project for Fairfax New Zealand - converting the Saturday edition to a morning newspaper. This has been carried out with resounding success in recent weeks, with the new-look newspaper offering a big weekend read and achieving new advertising and circulation objectives. Sales increased nearly 5% in the first month.
Other achievements for Ms Sherson have been winner of the Qantas Editorial Writer of the Year (twice), editing the newspaper when it was runner-up to the best newspaper of the year in 1998 and as a finalist in two other years.
The Waikato Times was also a finalist in the Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers Association newspaper of the year competition twice during her editorship.
Ms Sherson has also led the Waikato Times as it campaigned successfully on community issues including the Waikato expressway, a neurosurgery unit for Waikato hospital, and the ongoing one of a public arts policy for Hamilton city.
The newspaper meanwhile produced record readership of 112,000 last year - a 12 percent increase on the previous year.
Ms Sherson said: "It was never going to be an easy decision to leave this newspaper. But I feel I have achieved everything I set out to.
"The paper is robust and ready for new challenges. The staff are exceptionally talented. The Waikato Times is respected and enjoyed by its many readers. You can't wish for a better legacy."
She added that she looks forward to new challenges. "It's likely that writing and publishing will feature in those plans.
"In the short term I'm going to take a short holiday and enjoy sleeping through the alarm at 5am."
