JAMIE CHAFFEY
Federal member for Parkes

In this age when community is more important than ever, local newspapers play an irreplaceable role in celebrating the wonderful people, places and organisations we love in regional New South Wales.

The rise of social media and online news has made media a very competitive industry, and it takes special people to uphold the important tradition of community news. These are people who recognise the role community newspapers play in many lives.

It was great to hear the Times News Group had taken on the mastheads of The Narrabri Courier, The Gunnedah Times, and The Wee Waa News. The Narrabri Courier, in particular, has a rich history of publication dating back 113 years, and the Gunnedah and Wee Waa papers also have earned a place in the heart of their communities.
Just when we thought these papers were lost, they have taken on a new life.

Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey welcomes the return of local newspapers to Narrabri, Gunnedah and Wee Waa following the Times News Group’s acquisition of the region’s historic mastheads. Photo: Supplied.

The Times News Group advises it has now successfully taken on 17 mastheads across regional Australia, bringing local news back to the people who love it. That is 17 communities who now have access to news about their local schools, community milestones, crime, events and so much more.

Not only do these communities have a print newspaper to look forward to each week, but they also have local news at their fingertips through digital platforms.

I congratulate the Times News Group on believing in Narrabri, Gunnedah and Wee Waa, and for investing in important local businesses. I also congratulate them for keeping up the newspaper tradition through recognised mastheads that already have a history of delivering for their communities.

I know this business brings 25 years’ worth of experience to their latest venture, and strong connections with Country Press NSW.

I look forward to enjoying these publications, and to working with the Times News Group team in the future.

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