A Tasmanian community newspaper that has been in circulation for over seven decades has printed its final edition.
The Derwent Valley Gazette, produced by PR and publishing company Font, was sold as a standalone newspaper for the last time last week.
The paper, which was distributed from New Norfolk to Brighton and the Central Highlands, was “forced” to shut down due to multiple factors.
Managing Editor Brad Stansfield told readers the closure of the Australian Community Media (ACM) print centre in Launceston was the main reason.
“[This] has had significant flow-on cost impacts through the local community newspaper sector in Tasmania,” he said.
“The Gazette will continue to be available [online] and there will be a dedicated Derwent Valley Gazette page in the Tasmanian Country newspaper once a month.”
“When we acquired the Gazette in 2019 from its former owners [News Corp], publication of the printed copy had ceased and it was set to disappear entirely.”
“We are proud to have been able to breathe life back into the newspaper and keep it in hard copy publication for an additional five years.”
The alternative local community newspaper in the area, the New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News, say they will continue to print every fortnight.
Other newspapers have found ways to adapt to the ACM closure, with North Eastern Advertiser owner Rachel Williams, who previously saved the paper from shutting down, saying they will now print in the state’s south.
The Derwent Valley Gazette is one of several small titles owned by Font, including the King Island Courier and East Coast View.
