Sutherland Shire Gazette Journalist Accidentally Added to Council WhatsApp Chat, Learns Nothing of Value

Finn Seabrook | Local Correspondent | Sutherland Shire Gazette

27 March 2025

In what can only be described as a monumental lapse in digital security - or just a poorly aimed thumb - The Sutherland Shire Gazette’s own journalist was mistakenly added to a private Council WhatsApp chat group this week.

The error, which appears to have been made by an overworked staffer operating on muscle memory, granted brief but uneventful access to the inner workings of local governance. Unfortunately, any hopes of uncovering scandal, intrigue, or even mild workplace drama were swiftly dashed.

The chat, titled “SSC – URGENT Council Matters (No Memes)”, proved to be an uninspiring mix of forgotten attachments, councillors asking for meeting times that were emailed days earlier, and a worrying number of “Let’s take this offline” responses.

During the short window before being ejected, our journalist witnessed:

• A councillor mistakenly sending a GIF meant for their family group chat.

• A stern reminder from an admin to “please use reply all” in a medium where that is literally the only option.

• A single unread message from last year containing a still-unanswered budget question.

• A lively side conversation about where to get the best chicken parmy in the Shire.

Our journalist was removed moments after typing, “While I’m here, any updates on the Bundeena ferry zipline feasibility study?”

When pressed for comment, a Council spokesperson said, “That chat is strictly for operational purposes, and no, we don’t know why Councillor Johnson keeps reacting to messages with a thumbs-down.”

More to come -