Distribution 2200
April 2015
Mannum, South Australia 5238
Issue Number 100
FREE
Happy Centenary Mannum Mag Issue 1 April 2006 — Issue 100 April 2015 he Mannum Mag began as the idea of Rod Mann (the Minister of the Uniting Church) for a community paper. Rod distributed a six-page mock up to Mannum mail boxes in December 2005. A very lively read, it resulted in an enthusiastic attendance at public meetings, that appointed a committee to explore the idea. While Rod was the paper’s instigator, he was greatly assisted by many, including the Uniting Church community, and found essential support from the committee. Community support for the idea, and the work of the committee that ran with it, saw the birth of the first edition of Mannum Mag in April 2006. Some of the initial group are still “running” 100 editions later! The Mid Murray Council gave us a $500 “float” to get the first issue published. We then had to pay for the commercial printing of the first few issues. Occasionally, Rod Mann had to “walk the streets” collecting advance payments from supportive advertisers so that we could pay the printer. We were a ‘small’ job and we had to negotiate for space in the printer’s line up. At first, it was a challenge to find items to publish and get them formatted in time. There was more than one last-minute ‘cross country dash’ to meet the printer’s deadline. This arrangement introduced a delay of two weeks between our copy deadline and the distribution of Mannum Mag. During our second year, the Mid Murray Council gave us an interest-free loan of $8000 to buy a second-hand, high speed printer (100 pages per minute). We now have an Executive Committee of six, a small group of proof readers, three printers and a loyal group who collate, fold and distribute. We also have a group of regular contributors for every issue; without them there would be little to publish. Everyone contributes voluntarily, and some of these volunteers have been with the Mag from the beginning. And, of course, without our paying advertisers we would not exist. Issue 1 April 2006 was 1500 copies of 16 pages. We now distribute 2200 copies of 28 pages, with an occasional 32-page
issue. Mannum Mag became a not-for-profit organisation with its incorporation in May 2008 as Mannum Community Magazine. Production Today, most of the content is emailed to the editor. Mid Murray Support Services kindly maintains a ‘post box’ where material can be left. The magazine is created over the weekend after the monthly Friday deadline. On Monday, the editor takes the proof copies, laptop and laser printer to the Show Secretary’s office (lent to us at no charge), where the proof readers do their ‘stuff’. Corrections are made and the printing team starts work using our printers (we now have two), also at the showground. It takes about five hours to print the 2200 copies. We also print 25 large print issues, which are distributed to the local hospital, surgery and aged care facilities. Tuesday is a “day in hand” in case of any problems. On Wednesday morning, the team of collators and folders work for about three hours (thankfully that includes a welcome morning tea) leaving the magazine assembled and bundled for distribution. A Community Forum The original aim was to establish a publication “produced by the community for the community”. The pages of Mannum Mag are serving the community. Local organisations and special interest groups promote their services and events; Mid Murray Council informs the community; the ‘Letters to the Editor’ page gives an opportunity for feedback and opinion; local writers provide reports, comment and entertaining stories and poetry; businesses directly address their local customer base and, through their paid advertising, support the production of Mannum Mag. We believe that’s success. Special Issues Mannum Mag has expanded its publications to include the Mannum Mag Holiday Issue, a Mannum Trade and Community Services Directory and a Visitor Guide.
Keith Baldwin (Editor), Elfrieda Wallent (Contributor, Committee), Vivian Garner (Contributor, Committee), Rod Mann (Founder). 8 July 2006.
The Folders: unseen, unsung, but without them the Mag would never get to you. Sing their praises. 8 July 2006.
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See also page 15. The centre spread contains a collection of items from past issues.
Murraylands Fire Danger Season: Restrictions apply from 15th November 2014 until 15th April 2015. Information Hotline: 1300 362 361
Ageing in the Murraylands Calendars & Dates Church Services
6 Classifieds 31 Musical Miscellany 32 Mid Murray Council 30 On My Bookshelf 3 Mid Murray Support Services 26 Out of this World
28 Pause A While 19 Whistle Toot 8
6 3