Palmwoods
District News

October
1998

Page 9

We've come a long way

The Palmwoods District News was born in 1991, following on the birth of my son. And like my son, it has grown from a small but healthy infant into a strapping part of the community.

The Palmwoods community was active in many ways and yet was without a vehicle to share its activities. Larger publications could not be concerned with one small community and yet a growing population needed to be kept informed.

After running the idea for a local newspaper past key community people and businesses, it was all systems go.

With an antique computer system and the valuable assistance of Palmwoods’ Liffy Aarse, the first Palmwoods District News appeared in time for Christmas 1991, with 1000 copies of four pages printed.

There were many early difficulties in producing even a small newspaper and many nights spent burning the midnight oil to see that it met its deadlines, but it soon became apparent that the paper was filling a niche.

Further, it had become part of a national trend towards small independent community newspapers as larger publishers consolidated and continued to reduce their commitment to small communities.

It was soon time to expand in terms of circulation, page numbers, distribution area and technology. Bev Everson took over as advertising manager in 1993 and soon became the face of not just the Palmwoods News but also the community, introducing a number of initiatives and promotions to foster support for local business.

The Palmwoods District News now covers the districts of Palmwoods, Woombye, Eudlo, Chevallum and Hunchy and has increased its circulation to 3500 with an average of 12-16 pages each month.

It is now with some sadness, that as I go on to pursue other interests, I hand "my baby" to a new owner, happily a "local" and one who plans to continue the paper’s commitment to its community.

I would like to thank the loyal advertisers who have made it possible to continue publishing the Palmwoods District News during the past seven years.

I would also like to thank Palmwoods Police, Snr Constable Paul Campbell and Sgt Rod Gibson, Cr Geoff Littler, Val and Roger Brooke, Wendy McMullin and the many community organisations and schools in the Palmwoods, Woombye, Chevallum and Eudlo Districts who have so willingly contributed to the news.

The Palmwoods District News is a community newspaper and without the loyal support of its readers, advertisers and its community, it would not survive. We look forward to your continued support.

Dorothy Whittington
Founding Publisher/Editor
Palmwoods District News

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