1 School celebrates
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Community carols delight
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2024
OBSERVER SPORT $3.00 inc GST
SUNDAY evening’s Community Christmas Carols had students from Bundarra Primary School (bottom left), Portland Primary School (top left), All Saints Parish School (top right) and Portland North Primary School (bottom right) performing for friends, family and teachers. Also using their best singing voices Pictures: KAREN HODGE were the Portland Citizens Brass Band, secondary schools, a mass choir and the Community Rockers. See more on PAGE 4.
Ink dries on sale of Observer JO REID
THE future of the Portland Observer is in good hands, with the news that the masthead has been bought by experienced newspaper publishers Paul Thomas and Damian Morgan.
The contract has been signed for the sale of both the Portland Observer and the Hamilton Spectator mastheads, two of Victoria’s most historic regional newspapers, to SA Today Pty Ltd. The sale is set to be completed next Friday, an early Christmas present for the employees and families and indeed the local community. The change of guard marks a significant new chapter for the mastheads, which have served their communities with dedication for generations. While all current staff will be made redundant by the current owners, the new proprietors intend to offer positions to as many existing team members as possible who wish to continue working with the publications. Current editor, Marlene Punton, is excited for
the future of the newspaper. “The news that we have been bought and will continue is fabulous. “I was really saddened that so much history could be lost but the future looks bright, especially being bought by an expanding group that has deep roots in country and community newspapers,” Ms Punton said. “We’ve had enormous supportive feedback from the community since the closure was announced and thank people for their kind words.” While the paper remains, there will be some changes. The paper will become a weekly publication, expected to be on the Friday. In the next week roles for current staff will be decided and then the preparations begin for a new-look Portland Observer in 2025. Speaking about the acquisition, new co-owner Paul Thomas said, “These newspapers are cornerstones of their communities, and we are honoured to take on the responsibility of
ensuring their future. Our aim is to rejuvenate these mastheads, grow their reach, and continue delivering quality, public-interest journalism that serves the people of Hamilton and Portland with integrity and passion.” “Print still has a really important place in the community, the Observer has a strong readership and strong circulation. What newspapers do is give the community a voice, they hold the powerful to account and for a democratic Australia, newspapers are vital to the community,” he said. “We do see a really bright future and we would really hope that the local community will support us. Our first edition will be on Friday, January 31 and there will be a small increase in cost but the two papers will essentially amalgamate into the one edition so it will provide great value for money, still less than the price of a cup of coffee,” Mr Thomas said. Co-owner Damian Morgan added, “We see enormous potential in these newspapers and
are excited to invest in their future. Local journalism is crucial to a vibrant democracy, and we are committed to maintaining the traditions of these publications while adapting them for the digital age. Our goal is to strengthen their connection to their communities and make them even more relevant to their readers.” The new owners are committed to preserving the legacy of these historic mastheads while modernising operations to ensure their long-term sustainability. The plan for the company is to focus on growing readership and advertising revenue, investing in both print and digital platforms, and delivering the highest standards of local journalism. The completion of the sale will usher in a new era for these newspapers, ensuring their vital role in supporting their communities continues for years to come. “Personally, I’m excited by the prospect of change and the reinvigorating of our 182-yearold newspaper,” Ms Punton said.