The SE Voice is set to expand its reach into south west Victoria after forming a partnership with The Casterton News.
The Casterton News will remain 100% local following next week’s final Spectator Partnership edition, with managing editor Kristy McDonald to be the new owner of the publication.
Ms McDonald said the printed paper would continue to hit the shelves in 2025 in the format its community knows and loves, but the addition of an online version would increase both the convenience for readers and benefits for advertisers, exponentially.
Ms McDonald said she was grateful and excited to have the opportunity to continue the great traditions of local news publishing, established by the Beks family and those before them, over more than 150 years in print.
“The news of the Spectator Partnership’s decision to cease publication was absolutely devastating and when (principal Richard Beks) urged me to make an offer to buy our local paper, I knew I had to make it happen,” she said.
“Richard understands the importance of local coverage for local communities – the end-of-year concerts, the footy, netball and cricket scores and match wrap-ups, the farming news and the checks and balances on local councils that come with a local paper.
“In high school, I was so proud to have work experience at The Casterton News with then editor Lynne Nadebaum and the legendary journalist Pat Cameron.
“It may as well have been the New York Times and I still have a folder of the photos I took (printed out by Len Bailey in black and white, at his home studio!) and the articles I wrote during that time, cut out of those printed editions.
“A phrase keeps getting thrown at me is: ‘Do not take it personally’.
“But it is personal – for me and for the local community.
“This newspaper has been part of my life, my whole life; I am really proud of its history, where it stands today and what it means to the community
“Again, I thank Richard, Nola, Greg and Donna for being the guardians of local news for more than 40 years and for the opportunity to build on the amazing legacy they leave behind.”
Ms McDonald said readers would see a seamless change to the new ownership, with the paper to remain in its current, weekly printed edition with trademark masthead and local content, but with the exciting addition of an online appearance to expand its reach to readers and benefit local advertisers.
“A print edition is a must for our local readers – we know there are many who like the feel of the paper in their hands, they like to put it in the paper rack and go back to it whenever they want until it goes in the recycling bin, the garden mulch or the kitty litter tray!” she said.
“Others like the convenience of having it at hand on the phone when they’re on the tractor, taking a break from a meeting or stopping for a coffee.
“To that end, I’m excited to announce that I will be partnering with my friend Lechelle Earl, just over the border at Mount Gambier’s The SE Voice, to publish the Casterton News online, every week.
“Lechelle and I have worked together for years to share resources that benefit our close, cross-border community and as an independent, local news publisher, she just gets the need for a local paper to have a physical presence and also move with modern times.
“The online edition will be free to read and the benefits of this for the amazing businesses who support the paper with advertising will be increased exponentially.”
The SE Voice Editor, Ms Earl said the decision to partner with the Casterton News was a no brainer.
“Kristy and I have worked together for years, sharing our resources to ensure that our closely aligned communities are well represented by proud independent publishers,” she said.
“We share a tight knit border community with plenty of common issues, not to mention that Casterton Sandford is also a valued member of our football and netball competitions.”
Ms Earl said the partnership would provide benefits for both sides of the border, with Casterton advertisers able to amplify their messages across the Limestone Coast through The SE Voice’s significant online audience, with in excess of 200,000 interactions through the website a month.
This is coupled with the publication’s huge social media presence, further spreading Casterton news, sport and advertising across the region.
“It’s so important that our communities have access to locally owned and produced news, created by people who actually live in our regions,” Ms Earl said.
“Our team at The SE Voice have already forged a strong working relationship with Kristy and the Casterton News and we cannot wait to build on that foundation.
“Both of our communities are the real winners here, with the new year set to further enhance local news, sport and advertising in the South East and South West Victoria.”
