The Courier will mark the start of a new chapter in its 111-year history when it publishes as a weekly Thursday newspaper from July.
The change will mean readers receive one bigger edition of the newspaper each week, including the regional North Western Guide and weekly Woolworths catalogue.
The Courier has traditionally been published twice weekly – believed to be the only bi-weekly publication in country NSW for many years, and one of only a few bi-weekly newspapers in regional Australia.
The Courier also publishes the Wee Waa News, Gunnedah Times and North Western Guide which have always been, and will continue, as weekly local papers.
Publishing arrangements have varied over the decades – originally The Courier was published on Mondays and Thursdays, then Tuesdays and Thursdays – and even three times weekly for a period in the dim past.
The Courier’s managing director Wanda Dunnet said while the newspaper is changing to weekly frequency, its commitment to the community remains the same.
“Our online presence is growing but we proudly continue the tradition of maintaining a printed newspaper in Narrabri Shire, and beyond,” Mrs Dunnet said.
“The Courier has been with the shire community in good times and bad times – covering occasions like the Narrabri Show through to myriad social events to the disaster of floods across the years, and that chronicle of community life continues.
“In 111 years of publishing, The Courier has only missed an edition twice – a track record we are proud of.”
As a result of the change in frequency, The Courier’s cover price will become $3 from July 2024.
Mrs Dunnet said the change in price would be value for money for readers.
Readers who currently buy two papers a week pay $4.40. Under a weekly model, readers will pay $3.
Postal subscriptions will also reduce in price.
“While readers will ultimately pay less for the paper, the value will increase as the community receives a more substantial product,” she said.
“The Courier will still be packed full of local news with all of the things readers enjoy.
“The Courier and its sister publications are held in high regard as award-winning members of Country Press NSW and Country Press Australia.
“The Courier again was awarded best newspaper in NSW for a second year in a row in 2023, as well as other awards recognising editorial, production and advertising excellence.
“As a bigger, weekly newspaper we anticipate that our success at the annual industry awards will continue.”
The last Tuesday edition of The Courier will be published on June 25, 2024.
The first weekly edition will be published on July 4, 2024.
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