This appointment began a life-long love of news which was surpassed only by her devotion to her family and her passion for North Wagga.

Ms Adair died on Thursday at the age of 80. She had been suffering from the complications of dementia.

Born Errella Blanche Gowland, Ms Adair was named after Errella “Smoke” Heard, a strong woman pioneer in the city of Wagga.

Like her namesake, Ms Adair put her heart and soul into everything she did.

Former colleague and editor Graham Gorrell described Ms Adair as “a great journalist in the regional newspaper tradition”.

“She had a vast knowledge of nearly all aspects of regional reporting,” Mr Gorrel said.

“She was the go-to person for young journalists. She always knew who the contacts were.”

Ms Adair’s daughter Sherry Barlett recalls her mum’s approach to life was “if you’re going to do something, make sure you do it properly.”

While Ms Adair lives in Sydney for some years when Sherry and sister Kristin were young, most of her life was spent in Wagga – and more specifically based around North Wagga.

Large parts of Ms Adair’s childhood were spent on her aunt and uncle’s farm at North Wagga, which Mrs Barlett thinks helps shape her mother’s life-long love of the area.

Ms Adair’s husband Arthur Seymour worked for the Agricultural Research Institute, so the couple lived there for many years.

But eventually they bought nine hectares of land in Hales Lane.

Even after her husband died of cancer, Ms Adair remained on her beloved farm, and close to her North Wagga community.

It was only after the 2012 floods that family were able to convince her to move into town.

“But her heart and soul remained in North Wagga,” Mrs Barlett said.

Mrs Adair leaves behind daughters Kristin and Sherry and stepchildren Chris and Janelle, as well as grandchildren Daniel, Kelly, Ethan, Lily, Jack and Harry.

Her best mate and fishing buddy – husband Arthur – had died previously, as had stepson Bobby.

A graveside service for Ms Adair will be held on Tuesday in the Wagga Lawn Cemetery,from 10am.