At our recent Breakfast meeting, we were privileged to host Cyril Ayris, the renowned former chief reporter and feature writer for The West Australian. With a journalism career spanning 25 years, Cyril brought with him a treasure trove of stories, insights, and reflections from an era of reporting that now feels worlds away from today’s digital landscape.Cyril shared firsthand accounts of covering major breaking news events and offered an inside look at the fast-paced, high-pressure tempo of the traditional newsroom. Hearing the lengths reporters once went to in pursuit of the story of the day was both sobering and captivating. His anecdotes—equal parts entertaining and demanding—highlighted the relentless chase to stay ahead of the next headline.
What stood out most was Cyril’s unmistakable passion. Every story was delivered with the energy of someone who had lived through the urgency, pressure, and excitement of old‑school journalism. This enthusiasm made his presentation thoroughly engaging, and the flurry of questions from members at the conclusion of his talk showed just how deeply his experiences resonated.
A key takeaway from the morning was the dramatic shift in how news is gathered, verified, and published today. Cyril reminded us how profoundly modern media has changed—something many of us had not fully appreciated until hearing his reflections.
His visit offered our members a chance to revisit a nearly forgotten chapter of “media life,” one that still sits within our own lifetimes, when reporters raced the clock to secure a genuine media first.
For those wishing to explore more of his remarkable journey, Cyril’s book Chameleon: Reporter At Large brings together true-life stories, investigative pieces, and historical accounts from his distinguished career.