The Southern Wire
The Southern Wire is an independent digital news publication launched in 2025. After the closure of printed publications, and the reduction of local journalists on the ground, we knew that residents of Southern NSW were crying out for local public interest news journalism.
We provide that news service to locals across Southern NSW, in particular the Wollondilly, Southern Highlands and Southern Tablelands including Yass Valley. We are a member of the Local Independent News Association (LINA) and we are subject to the standards of the Australian Press Council.
We presently have two journalists who we introduce below. We also have other contributors for stories from time to time. If you would like to consider writing for The Southern Wire, please send us an email editor@thesouthernwire.com.au
Introducing our Editor - Paddy Moylan
Our Editor and Publisher Paddy Moylan started the Southern Wire in 2025 to fill a gap where local news was not provided for as strongly as it once was. Paddy’s view is that The Southern Wire works with existing media outlets, rather than competing with those outlets.
Paddy is a trained lawyer and therefore leaves the written work to our expert journalists. As editor, Paddy publishes the occasional opinion piece and will from time to time write about local sport, courts and police news and general community interest pieces. Our journalists have complete freedom over their work.
Paddy is proud that The Southern Wire is a member of LINA and is bound by the rules of the Australian Press Council. Our editorial policy is strong.
Paddy is a member of the National Press Club.
Introducing our Senior Journalist & Photographer - Stuart Carless
Stuart is a multi award-winning journalist and photographer from Bowral. He grew up in the Southern Highlands and attended Bowral Primary School and Bowral High School before leaving the region to pursue his career in journalism.
Stuart believes regional media outlets are essential for building stronger and more resilient communities.
He completed a BA in Communications (Print Journalism) at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst before working as a journalist and editor at a number of publications across regional New South Wales and Victoria.
Under his leadership the Milton-Ulladulla Times was awarded the NSW Country Press Association’s coveted EC Sommerlad Memorial Award for Editorial Leadership and Community Involvement.
Stuart is a former editor of the Eden Magnet on the NSW Far South Coast and The Guardian in Swan Hill, Victoria. He has also held senior roles at papers in Merimbula, Bega, Narooma, Cooma and Port Macquarie.
Stuart has managed communications for Bega Valley Shire Council and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and worked in the communications unit at Shoalhaven City Council. He also worked as a community engagement officer and stakeholder engagement manager for Tasmania’s water and sewerage provider, TasWater, as a community engagement officer for Sydney Water and as a community engagement facilitator for the City of Launceston in Tasmania.
He is an accomplished photographer who has exhibited in galleries across NSW and Victoria including the Bega Valley Regional Gallery, Spiral Gallery in Bega and Alley Gallery in Ulladulla.
His specific area of expertise is in local, state and federal politics, matters of public interest and investigations.
Stuart maintained a close association with the Southern Highlands through family and friends before returning in 2023.
He is a prolific reader and a self-described Scrabble fanatic.
Introducing our Journalist - Antony Dubber
Antony’s career in journalism commenced at the Goulburn Post as a cadet under the guidance of its prolific editor Gerard Walsh in 2012 after graduating with a degree in Communication Studies at Western Sydney University.
Raised in the Highlands and residing in Moss Vale, his most recent role was at the Southern Highlands Express where he reported on local news, community groups, theatre and music productions, youth initiatives, sport and he also crafted obituaries with sensitivity in collaboration with grieving family members.
Antony is actively involved with the Moss Vale Anglican Church where he has served as a Warden for two years.
