Independent journalist and editor Susanna Freymark has been presented with the Lismore Electorate Local Woman of the Year Award during a ceremony at Mallanganee Memorial Hall. State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin praised Ms Freymark for her dedication to independent local journalism and her efforts to keep regional communities informed through platforms including Indy NR.com and The Inky, a free community newspaper aimed particularly at senior readers. Ms Freymark, a former teacher and experienced newspaper editor, said she preferred telling the stories of others to help communities stay connected. Her new collection of short stories and poetry titled SMOKE is set to launch at Kyogle Library.