HE'S probably taken your photo or comment at some point over the past two years - but sadly, no more.

Whitsunday Coast Guardian and Whitsunday Times journalist Matthew Newton is leaving the area to become editor at APN's Chinchilla News.

He said he was looking forward to his new job and the chance to build on what he had learned here.

"I hope to keep learning and I'm looking forward to continuing my education as a journalist, as well as writing about a different part of Queensland and the day-to-day lives of the people who live there," he said.

After spending his first year at the Whitsunday Coast Guardian and his second also working on the Whitsunday Times, Matt has a deep love of community news.

"I've really enjoyed my time up here and I feel local newspapers have a special place in a community's heart," he said.

"Someone once said to me that when a community newspaper dies, so does the town.

"It's been a privilege to bring the news to the Whitsundays for the past almost two years and it's a responsibility that I've never taken lightly."

After 23 months, countless stories and even more photos, Matt said he was overwhelmed with the amount of fond memories he would carry with him to Chinchilla.

"In the Whitsundays there's so much going on, so to pick a fondest memory from my time here would be just too hard," he said.

"But I can honestly say there's never been a dull moment."

With Matt now on his way south, and the Whitsundays all the poorer for the fact, he had a parting message for all of us left behind.

"I just want to say thank you to everyone who I've met, and I wish them all the best," he said.