General News
17 December, 2024
Local paper seeks volunteers
Dunolly’s community newspaper is in danger of being forced to close down as their calls for a new editor have been left unanswered.
The Welcome Record is a volunteer-run weekly paper that has informed the Dunolly and surrounding community for over 40 years.
Despite recently winning multiple Community Newspapers Association of Victoria awards, including Best Newspaper in Victoria in 2023 and Best Community Content in 2024, the paper is under threat of shutting down next February.
Current editor Angela Ang will be stepping away from the role after two and a half years, and with no current candidate ready to fill the position, the paper’s future remains in jeopardy.
Ms Ang said the groundwork has already been set for a new leader to take over seamlessly.
“We have been calling for a new editor for quite some time now, it’s trying to find someone passionate enough to want this paper to continue,” she said.
“We will provide the training and it’s not as hard as it used to be, previously you would be a single editor doing everything from writing, editing, printing and production all in one go.
“All that’s cut back down now — all we are asking for is someone with a basic understanding of Microsoft Word, everything else can be picked up.
“In the past two and a half years we have built a great team of people that does production, what we are missing is an editor.”
Ms Ang said the role could be catered to potential candidates’ schedules, with the local paper contemplating the possibility of co-editors or moving to fortnightly publication to reduce workload.
“Personally the committee believes that a singular editor trying to run the whole paper on their own is a tough job especially if you are a volunteer,” she said.
“We would be very welcome to getting two co-editors and they share the role, I think that would be the way to go.
“We are one of the few weekly community papers in the whole of Victoria and that’s only possible when you have got enough volunteers.
“We believe strongly we’re probably going fortnightly because we have to be realistic.”
For Ms Ang, the role of editor became a ‘passion project’ for her, motivated by showcasing the best of Dunolly.
Ms Ang said it’s a privilege to help connect residents to their town and urges anyone passionate about the community to consider taking up the challenge.
“It’s one of the most rewarding things you can do in a community,” she said.
“It’s a responsibility, but I can’t even describe the joy of getting an issue out every week knowing people in this community depend on it, love it, and are proud of it.
“What I’m most proud of is that it’s a true community paper, everyone knows it, everyone loves it and they see themselves every week.
“It’s a celebration of the community, about uplifting the community, recognising our achievements and who we are.
“People are very, very busy with their own lives and we get that, but this paper has been going for 40-plus years and it would be a shame not to continue.”
For further information or to express your interest, call 5468-1054 or email editorial@thewelcome record.com.au