There's an amazing new publication out on the hot dusty horizon, Rasp and Sturt. Rasp and Sturt is a creative oriented lifestyle magazine founded in Broken Hill.

It is an amazing read with a clever, artistic twist.

The publication creates compelling stories about the people of west and far west NSW.

It covers the outback and the various aspects of life in Broken Hill and the Far West.

Kimberly from Back Country Bulletin and The Riverine Grazier was lucky enough to have a talk with Steven Powell, Managing Director and Editor of Rasp and Sturt.

Give us a bit of background, Steven. Where do you come from, what interests you?

My initial background until my late 20s was the Australian Army (soldier).

This also started my own travel experience seeing Australia for myself at the age of 18 ( I travelled early in my life with my Dad being a NSW Police officer for 36 years).

I then ventured into the security industry finally owning my own company for eight years called The Colour Green back in Broken Hill before venturing into Juvenile Justice in Perth, WA.

The security industry is where I became a little famous appearing on national television (60 Minutes, A Current Affair, Today Tonight, SBS Insight twice, The Sunday Program twice), and International TV Shows as a security expert with some of the high level jobs I did.

From there I started my own professional photography business in 2010 and still have that business called The Nomad Company.

I started Rasp & Sturt in January this year. What interests me is a good question - I own three businesses so I work 18 hours a day.

I love music and have it on 24 hours a day (literally) so have that on whilst I work and my partner and I travel as much as we can - nationally and internationally.

(The Nomad Company was called that for a reason haha).

How long have you been a journalist?

I am not a journalist but once I started photography in Perth, I learnt on the job to be a photojournalist with regional newspapers. I’ve just grown from there.

Your photography is amazing - how long have you been a photographer, did you learn by doing or did you attain qualifications also?

Thank you. I am self-taught; always had a camera as a kid and my time in the military so as mentioned above around 2010 I took it more seriously and have developed a style since then - always chasing that next great image that never seems to come.

Your passion for delivering news in the area is evident, where did this originate?

Always had an interest in helping people - hence the Army.

I think this is just a different way to do that.

Get news out, tell a story that may get lost in the noise etc. It allows the small people to have a genuine voice.

What is your favourite method of delivering news, or perhaps a better way of putting it is - my favourite is feature articles do you have a preference?

My preference is the same as yours. I like to have two feature articles in each of the issue I produce especially if I am the only news outlet or media producing that story.

What do you hope to achieve with your amazing publication Rasp and Sturt?

I hope to build a brand or small empire that brings to the people of the west and far west of NSW fresh, new, vibrant contemporary stories and images on an ancient land.  

I have a saying I use In the magazine "new light through an old window".

Do you find people in the area are communicative, do you have a good response to what you’re trying to achieve?

It’s a very mixed response normally as you would know.

So, I’ve found people are very keen to help but less keen to be involved themselves - a very Aussie, Outback way I feel.

People are genuinely and generally interested in sure - but being busy as everyone is I struggle in the waiting process.

Waiting to hear back or waiting on a return email... takes forever sometimes lol.

I really admire where you are taking things, such as your request for travel stories on the Sturt.

Thanks Kimberly.

Yes, I think there are so many stories of things we just do.

Things we have always done and just thought this is what we do like travel from Broken Hill to Adelaide for sport, holidays, medical appointments etc.

But in those things, we do are thousands and thousands of variations and stories.

Our next issue has a story about those who live along the Barrier Highway from Broken Hill to Adelaide and the locals who make that trip every day.

Don't forget - issue three of Rasp and Sturt is due out February 1, 2025. 

Stockists include Tibooburra Food & Fuel, Cobar Newsagency, The Silly Goat Schinella's Friendly Grocer Giovanni & Co, Broken Hill Bernels Fish Shop, Fresh Pizza Broken Hill, Sunbeam Deli, Broken Hill Sturt Club, The Demo Club, The Broken Hill Pub, The Astra Broken Hill, Wanaaring Store and Caravan Park, Silverton Bakery & Cafe, Silverton Outback Camels, Broken Hill Distillery, Barrier Stationers Coco & May, The Deli Newsextra Coles Village, The Old Salt Bush Restaurant & Catering, and Cameron Corner Store.

You can also visit the Rasp and Sturt website to order your copy mailed to you for $5 plus postage.

https://www.raspsturt.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/p/Rasp-Sturt-61558848147454/

https://www.instagram.com/raspandsturt/