IT IS a tragic event when we lose one of our own.

Shock and grief were part of the many emotions felt by our community and staff at this newspaper yesterday when we heard the terrible news of Ian Weir’s death.

Mr Weir had long been associated with The Northern Star as a columnist, letter writer, contributor and correspondent.

His last rural column, ‘Off the Rails’, was published in this newspaper only yesterday.

We have received many calls and email tributes for this wonderful man, and I am sure there will be many more to come.

Mr Weir was a man who gave back to his community 110 per cent and he was very involved in his local church.

He was highly respected and loved by so many people and will be a great loss to the community.
Northern Star photographic editor Jacklyn Wagner said she knew Mr Weir through the saleyards.

“He loved The Northern Star and his community,” she said.

“He was very friendly and relaxed, and he always had time for you.”

Northern Star general sales manager Janet Bowden said Mr Weir had a long relationship with The Star that went back decades.

“He was well known to many of our team and it was his down-to-earth approach to his business dealings that earned him many friends. Our thoughts go out to his family,” she said.

All at The Northern Star send our condolences and sympathies to his wife, Florence, and all of Mr Weir’s family at this very difficult time.