DARREN Chaitman, a 31–year–old man originally from Melbourne, has taken on the role of journalist at The Euroa Gazette.

He started in the role in early April, spending his first week at North East Media's Wangaratta newsroom for induction and moving to Euroa the following week.

It's Darren's first full–time job as a journalist and it was an exciting career change from his previous work as a freelance journalist.

"I was writing content for and designing online workplace and university courses before this, and when I tried out journalism on the side as a freelancer I really loved it, so I decided to make a change," he said.

"I have to admit I'd never heard of Euroa before, but when I visited the town it had a nice quality to it, and I've really enjoyed my first week living here and meeting many lovely locals."

Darren replaces former Gazette journalist, Gus Ridder, who has moved to Benalla to work as an electoral officer for member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland.

Gus said he recalled fondly his time at the Gazette, and enjoyed having a close connection with the editors in Wangaratta and praising The Euroa Gazette's advertising sales consultant Lorraine Millard as "such a great help, such a lovely person".

He also had good memories of living in Euroa, recalling "a lot of very, very nice days and nights" spent at the Euroa Hotel pub and saying the town was "such a welcoming and nice place to live".

"Thanks to everyone in Euroa making my time there so lovely," Gus said.

Darren is grateful for the space Gus has left, having moved not only into his old job but also the unit he had been renting.