After more than 100 episodes of Company this is the FINAL EPISODE. I will *miss* the privilege of stepping into the lives of ordinary and extraordinary rural women in such an intimate way. But chapters end and that's what's happening here. It seems fitting to have Ali Smith - one of my greatest friends - as my final guest. She really does embody all I love about storytelling in rural Australia. She's bubbly and unbelievable generous in every role she's ever turned her hand to, she's endlessly thoughtful and respectful and despite all this she would never want any fanfare or grand accolades. Ali grew up in the city both Canberra and Sydney but she LOVES rural people and their lives, and thats perfect because she now lives on a farm with her partner Gus at Burren Junction in northern New South Wales. Gosh that community is lucky to have her as a journalist for the local paper. They're lucky because - many would never know the depths of her experience as a journo. She's worked for Laurie Oakes - one of the greatest political journalists Australia has known. During her 8 years with 60 minutes - another of Australia's greatest current affairs shows -she spend hours and hours beside Turia Pitt as she recovered from her horrific burns - a person she now remains very special friends with. She's also an author - last year she co-authored Outback Astronomer with Liz Hayes from 60 minutes. Smith to me is the antithesis of integrity in every avenue of life. I'm really lucky to be able to call her one of my closest friends. I'm so happy to be celebrating all her achievements here and I hope you enjoy it too. Company is a podcast produced in partnership with Rabobank Australia. Listen to more than 100 other stories just like this one in our backlog.