A long chapter in local Tasmanian news has come to a close, with the Circular Head Chronicle closing down following nearly a century and a half in business.
The Smithton-based newspaper, which had been in circulation since 1906, published its final edition on Wednesday after almost 120 years.
The weekly paper’s demise was driven by financial challenges and declining advertising revenue, issues faced by regional news outlets across Australia.
“I have always enjoyed the Chronicle as long as I can remember,” one reader shared online.
“I bet a bunch of us had our family members cut out pictures from the paper and put in our scrapbooks.”
Another said the news had left many in the community “saddened”.
“This is so sad for the people of Circular Head who have lost their voice and information source,” they wrote.
Print coverage for the north-west will now fall to The Advocate, which is also grappling with its own financial troubles.
Owner Australian Community Media (ACM) recently closed its printing plant in Launceston and reportedly offered voluntary redundancies to staff as a cost-cutting measure.
The Chronicle says its Smithton office will permanently close on November 1.
The closure follows a similar outcome for the Derwent Valley Gazette, whose owners—publishing and PR firm Font—announced the end of its print edition in June due to rising costs.
