Top reporter heads home for the holidays

There are points to be scored, there are games to be won.

And the magical things you can do with that ball

Will make you the winning-est winner of all.

Fame! You'll be famous as famous can be,

With the whole wide world watching you win on TV. (Dr. Seuss)

ALLISON Langdon has had one incredible year.

In the last 12 months, the girl who spent her childhood in Wauchope and now works as a reporter for Channel Nine's 60 minutes program, has climbed icefields, abseiled into active volcanoes, had a knife pulled on her in Nigeria and mingled with gorillas and great white sharks.

She clearly deserves a break and in a few short weeks will make the journey to her much loved family home in King Creek to unwind over Christmas and take stock of the last 12 months.

During her holiday, she has graciously accepted an invitation to be a special guest at the Hastings Co-op 98th Birthday and Shareholders Shopping days.

"When I was growing up, going back 20-25 years ago, Wauchope was really small and we did all of our shopping at the Co-op," she recalls.

"I used to use dad's fuel card all the time when I got a car, even though wasn't mean to," she adds cheekily.

"Back then when you would go in, you knew the people who were serving you, they knew you, they knew your family and nothing was ever too much trouble in Wauchope.

"The customer service is wonderful; it's genuinely friendly service and the people are genuinely interested in you".

David and Helen Langdon raised their three children Allison, Kirsten and Heath in King Creek.

Allison attended Wauchope Primary School and Wauchope High School before completing her HSC at Port Macquarie's Mackillop Senior College.

With a hint of pride but a touch of sadness, she recalls being a "self-motivated student" who was often hard on herself and definitely not cool.

"I loved school but I was really hard on myself as a kid; I'd feel sometimes my best wasn't good enough or I would be upset if I hadn't come first in something.

"Although I don't think I was naturally smart I was just a really hard worker and I just loved learning. 

"It's difficult when (doing well at school) is not valued and can sort of have you on the outer at times.

"That's the sort of thing you really want to tell the 10 or 12 year old you; that it's a really good thing to be like this and it will lead to some really great opportunities."

Opportunities that have taken her from a gig at 2WAY FM when she was a teenager, to internships with CBS in New York and eventually to Channel 9 and her current role as a reporter on 60 minutes.

She is an award winning journalist, passionate about her job and a naturally inquisitive person.

"When I first got this job, someone said to me, "What do you want to do next?"

"I mean 60 minutes is the only job I ever really wanted - this is it.

"This is the job that I have aimed for".

This humble and vivacious woman is no longer a Wauchopian but her heart belongs here and really, she hasn't changed a bit.

"I love Wauchope, I loved growing up there, I love returning home to see my family.

"I will always see it as my home.

"I'm not sure I appreciated all it had to offer growing up but I'm definitely the person I am today because of my childhood".

"Every Christmas when I return for a few weeks I help my dad out mowing lawns, just to let him know that I'm that same girl - my principles haven't changed, I haven't changed.

No Ally you haven't and we are delighted.

Giving back to her community

As well as being a guest of the Co-op for their 98th birthday celebrations, Allison will also make a presentation to students at Wauchope High School and attend an event for the Hastings Education Fund.

Tim Walker from the Hastings Co-op has been instrumental in bringing Allison Langdon back to the Co-op as a guest.

"I was incredibly pleased to see that Allison has accepted our invitation," he said.

"She is a terrific local girl that has grabbed the opportunity's life has presented to her and has gone on to make a wonderful life for herself and enjoy her amazing career.

"The Hastings Co-op is very thank full for her support at this year's shareholder event on December 5 and we are incredibly honoured to welcome her here as our special guest.

"It would be perfect to see as many locals come down and say hello and welcome her back".