Apassion for motorsport has led one of the region’s most respected sports journalists from the Mount to the Mountain.
The SE Voice Sports Editor Thomas Miles has secured a role as a motorsport journalist at Australia’s number one motor racing magazine Auto Action.
Miles, one of the founding members of The SE Voice newspaper, has made the move to the big smoke to follow his passion.
Kicking off his new role covering the Bathurst 1000 race on the weekend, Miles said the excitement left him revved up and ready to go.
“Dreams really do come true,” he said.
“I have been watching Supercars for as long as I can remember and from the start Bathurst always gave me the biggest thrill.
“At home I have every Bathurst race on DVD since 1972 and have adored the 6.213km of road.
“I went to the Bathurst 1000 before as a very young fan in 2009, but much to my frustration I was dragged away before the finish, so I have been longing to return.
“Now to think I am not only at the Great Race, but sitting in the media centre, walking through the paddock meeting and mingling with some of the biggest names in the sport is mind blowing.”
Miles said his days at the track were frantic, but he loved every second of it.
“I have been on a high since driving towards the track and seeing the famous Mount Panorama sign,” he said.
“Having the media pass around my neck and looking around seeing many journalists I had looked up to was a very different environment compared to working in little Mount Gambier.
“Unfortunately I could not stop the nerves from arriving during my first face-to-face interview with a driver, but that has just been one of the many memorable mountain memories.
“The whole weekend did not feel real at all and has been easily one of the best moments in my life.”
Miles said his love for sports journalism had grown during his time at The SE Voice.
“I would not be here covering a lifelong passion at Bathurst if it was not for everyone who helped me in Mount Gambier,” he said.
“My life as a journalist started just three days after school and I had a lot of learning to do.
“I always had an ambition to cover sport at the highest level but did not imagine it would happen so suddenly.
“But I was lucky enough to work with some amazing people who were always there to provide support or guidance, especially during the countless times I thought I was not good enough to be a journalist.
“I thoroughly enjoyed covering sport in the Limestone Coast and it was very, very tough and emotional saying goodbye to The SE Voice and the team.
“Being the sports editor from the very start in strange circumstances meant the paper had become part of me.
“It was inspiring to see the entire team’s dedication and desire to grow an amazing newspaper from scratch within two years in the depths of COVID in Mount Gambier.
“It was an honour providing sports news to the community and I will always keep a close eye on what is happening at home.
“But I have always centred my life around following my favourite sports and now it is time to chase a dream and do something I have always wanted to do.”
The SE Voice’s owner/editor Lechelle Earl was thrilled to see Miles securing his dream job.
“Right from the start it was clear that Thomas had a gift when it came to sport,” she said.
“His knowledge and abilities were mindblowing and it was an absolute privilege to have him on board to establish our paper and help it to grow from strength to strength.
“While Thomas will be deeply missed here at The SE Voice, I could not be prouder of what he has achieved and just know that he is following his dreams.”
