Welcome to this week’s editorial,
It is not at all unusual for me to leave the editorial to the very last before publishing the latest Weekender. Sometimes I have an idea of what the editorial might be, but in all honesty, each week’s editorial tends to reveal itself only by way of sitting at my computer and watching it unfurl.
Up until half an hour ago I had no idea what the editorial might be this week. I looked over the rest of the edition and felt satisfied that there was a reasonable amount of news there and certainly a volume of Christmas events, concerts, markets and live music information. But as I do, each and every week, I acknowledge to myself the other news that didn’t make this weekend’s edition, simply because I didn’t want to burden you further.
Twenty three years ago, in 1999, I created a Tuross Head news paper. It was the same format as the Beagle Weekender and, like the Weekender, it arrived by email to those who requested it. For Free. For the first 18 months it was a weekly mailout and then, as my overseas journeys demanded more of my time, I produced the Tuross Giant monthly.
At the outset I was told that a local Tuross Head paper wouldn’t last long as there wasn’t enough news to sustain it. As it turned out there is more than enough news. So much news in fact that it was sometimes difficult to present it all. This week’s edition is 50 pages, not including the trades listings. And it could have been ten pages longer but there has to be a line drawn somewhere. So alas you won’t read that the first of the carnival rides have arrived at Corrigans Beach as Bells Carnival begins to assemble. Nor will you read of the local Liberal pow-wow in Moruya that saw past candidates and future candidates rubbing shoulders with local Liberal backers and supporters as the NSW State election approaches. Word has it that a previous failed Federal candidate will be standing again. Who knows? This time he might choose to be a Teal Independent.
There is much to report and I do my best. The Beagle is now read by an ever growing audience that reaches into the Shoalhaven and south into the Bega Valley. Being free, on-line, and generally timely the website attracts a high daily visitation. Created for the Eurobodalla in October 2016 The Beagle has become the leading on-line newspaper for our ever growing community.
Presently The Beagle remains within my capacity to deliver it and I hope that that continues for some time.
I must thank all of those who help to provide content though. The Chambers of Commerce, the sporting clubs, the social clubs, the contributors, the publicity officers and media personnel. All wanting to inform, celebrate and share. Local news relies on these dedicated few to inform the many.
In 2023 I expect The Beagle to grow larger still. There are already positive signs of others south and north who want to set up their own independent newspapers, following the free to read model of The Beagle.
This comes via a mounting dissatisfaction of the poor content and the pay-to-read monopoly the traditional mastheads have in the region. It is a continued disappointment to see the volume of news that these outlets don’t bother telling their readership. Maybe in 2023 the last remaining mastheads of a by-gone era might lift their game. I hope so.
In the meantime The Beagle will do its best to keep you informed and entertained as there is much to convey.
Until next - Lei
Above: I must admit that our regional mastheads continue to amuse me from time to time with their headlines, often reminding me of my favourite newspaper, the India Times.
