Cameron Carnell, Administrative Assistant
Written by Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper
For over half a decade, I’ve been one of the engines keeping the Lookout Newspaper moving — quite literally!
My name is Cameron (Cam) Carnell, and I am one of the team’s Administrative Assistants. I’ve been with the Lookout since 2019 when I first started delivering papers. Since 2020, I’ve also been tackling our biweekly mail-out process. My favourite part of the job has always been the Sunday morning drive. The stops have become familiar, and over the years I’ve met a lot of friendly, genuine people on my route. Knowing that someone is receiving yet another copy of the Lookout because I delivered or mailed it brings about a lot of happiness. It means something.
I was raised on a hog ranch in the East Kootenays, surrounded by a menagerie of animals. That taught me a lot about life, and what matters most. The motto ‘A job’s not done until it’s done well,’ comes to mind, and often guides me. As is in life, there are challenges. I had an automotive incident a few years ago, and since then, sitting or standing for long stretches of time hasn’t been easy. But I keep going — there’s a sense of purpose here, and the connection we have to the local Defence community helps.
“Service has always run deep in my family.”
One of my grandfathers served in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), and the other in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). My oldest brother was in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), and now both his oldest children serve in the RCN and CAF. My twin brother also serves in the RCN. With this around me, I’ve always seen the concept of service as straightforward: doing something real for others.
Outside of work, there are many activities that keep me grounded in life. I play basketball and have loved to shoot hoops since I was six years old. My love for it will likely never fade, and it keeps me active. I also collect Magic: The Gathering (MTG) cards, something I started back when I was a teenager. There’s a special camaraderie among players I really enjoy.
It’s special to think about how I’ve become a familiar face myself when it comes to readers across the region receiving their copy of the Lookout. My father used to do this route, and then eventually we’d do it together. I took it over from him. He has since passed on — now, the continuity of it all means something. Every drive, every copy, and every reader keeps this legacy alive.
