Independent newspapers hold annual conference

The NSW Country Press Association, representing NSW independent newspapers, held its annual conference and Annual General Meeting in Sydney last Friday.

The event was hosted by News Ltd at its Holt Street offices. Guest speakers included the chairman of the Australian Press Council, Neville Stevens and the Director, Advertising Regulation for the national industry body, NewsMedia Works, Lianne Richards.

The Association represents independent country newspapers in print and on digital platforms and is growing its membership after the withdrawal of Fairfax country newspapers, which were subsequently bought by Nine Entertainment and then sold to former Domain chief executive Antony Catalano and billionaire

Alex Waislitz’s Thorney Investment Group.

The Courier and Wee Waa News maintain a 106 year old tradition of independent newspaper publication.

“The Courier is committed to its independent status and proud to be serving the Narrabri Shire community as a local business which employs 14 local people – plus 16 paper boys and girls,” said manager Wanda Dunnet.

Proprietor of the Gilgandra Weekly, Lucie Peart was re-elected Association president at the AGM, with Barry Wilson deputy president, and proprietor of The Courier Wanda Dunnet and proprietor of the Coonamble Times Lee O’Connor re-elected vice presidents.

Following the AGM and business session, newspaper awards for the year were presented at the conference dinner.

Presenting the awards, deputy president Barry Wilson commended the dedication and professionalism of The Courier staff.

“Yes, social media has fragmented the communication industry, but publishers are adjusting with the support of their communities,” he said.

“The Courier is well down this path because they partner with their readers.”

The Courier maintains print as its principal medium, and will continue to do so, but is currently finalising development of two major online platforms to serve the digital information community.

“Narrabri readers obviously appreciate the dedication and professionalism of the editorial staff and must be justifiably proud of their newspaper,” the judges commented in the editorial analysis.

The judges commended three Courier advertising and graphic arts team-produced advertisements from graphic artist Dominique Madden, and advertising consultants Jodi Barnes and Barlow Roberts: “It is refreshing to see so much originality, generating content and combining with conversation for eye catching appeal,” the judges said. “This was most evident in the Watson’s Kitchen advertisement – “The more you weigh the harder you are to kidnap.” The entry, Logan and Co’s advertisement with the child sleeping reinforcing peace with dream bubbles ‘there’s no place like home…’. Where else would you shop for your family’s beds? The third entry for Nandewar Motel restaurant ‘When formal is your normal’ – for that special intimate dinner, came jumping off the page. The simple photo of a perfectly cooked steak on a white plate, white napkin and a glass of red wine graphically provided the easiest answer to a critically important question – where will we have a perfect night?’”