WEDNESDAY September 14, 2016
10
THE NEWSPAPER OF THE SNOWY MONARO REGION
Celebrating
Years...
We’re 10 years old... The Monaro Post is celebrating its 10th birthday this week. The Monaro Post newspaper came into being on August 17, 2006, with the formation of the Monaro Media Group Pty Ltd. It was established by four local people, all with extensive experience in the newspaper industry. The first edition appeared on September 13, 2006. This weekly, local, independent newspaper quickly grew from an original 24-page publication to today’s version, which averages 48 to 56 pages. The newspaper has recently opened a new office in Bombala to meet demand generated by the local community who want their own local newspaper. The newspaper is owned by five
local people, three of whom are directors of the company and work in the newspaper. Now approaching its 10th birthday, The Monaro Post has clocked up some milestones along the way. The business was named the Best Small Business of the Year in the Small Business Awards of 2008. It was a state finalist in those awards in 2007 and 2009. A regular competitor in the NSW Country Press Awards, The Monaro Post has won awards for its technical excellence, its presentation, news content and special features. Its sister publication, The Snowpost, has also won NSW Country Press Award accolades. Editor, Gail Eastaway, is also an award-winning journalist, picking
up an E C Sommerlad Award for journalism in 1983 and for news photography in 1984. Since its beginnings, the business has employed local staff, giving a number of young people their first taste of employment after school. These young people include Alistair Wharton, Nick Chapman, Mark Salvestro, Sarah Kleven and Jack Needham who completed traineeships before moving on to tertiary studies. In production Ben Smith, Libby Goggin, Jess Plumridge and Kylie Hinton have been given apprenticeships in prepress graphic arts. Jess is now production manager and Kylie has completed her apprenticeship. To cope with the increased size of the paper and number of advertisements to
be created, James Hanna and Shannon Mackay have both been employed as part-time pre-press production staff. Our production team designs and creates our adverts in-house, so our clients can quickly receive a proof of their ad for approval. In editorial, Elle Mackintosh has completed her first year as journalist and is now 2IC in the newsroom. Elle has degrees in journalism and law. Sam Tonks is the Bombala journalist. She is also a journalism graduate. Nick Chapman, who is due to graduate from his journalism studies this year, is back on board as the sports cadet journalist. The Monaro Post also has Jindabyne identity Chrissie Webb helping in editorial, with Lisa Ashurst
contributing her Riposte column. The sales department, which keeps the business alive, is led by Tracy Frazer who has won national sales awards when working for a large media organisation. Tracy’s enthusiasm and experience in designing ad and ad campaigns, is a great asset for local businesses. She is supported by Louise Platts, who is the Bombala sales manager and Lynne Kingston, who also has many year’s experience in newspaper sales. Lynne is the Jindabyne and Adaminaby sales rep. Together, the team at The Monaro Post strives to give our community the news and advertising opportunities they require, while continuing to employ locals and supporting other local businesses.