Keeping Communities Connected

Community newspapers play a significant role by keeping people connected in many rural and remote areas around Western Australia. These publications are an important part of keeping people in the community connected and informed about what’s on. From sharing local news stories and information about community events to highlighting the local sports teams’ triumphs and amusing anecdotes from a farmer’s escapades. According to Sharon Lampard from Boyup Brook CRC and editor of The Boyup Gazette, having a regular community platform to share these stories can "serve to unite a community, give a voice to local stories otherwise untold and celebrate the distinct identity of a town."

With around 40 Community Resource Centres (CRCs) helping produce community newspapers throughout WA, they are working alongside their community to help bring people together and stay informed of local matters. As hubs that are embedded at the heart of their community, CRCs are uniquely placed to create and distribute community newspapers. These newspapers are driven by local people, compiled with contributions from various members of the community, and are the culmination of local efforts.

"Our newspaper is like the glue that holds us together - it keeps everyone in the loop about what's happening around Walpole. Whether it's a local event or something bigger, the Weekly makes sure nobody misses out."
– Cherie Smith, Walpole CRC

Community newspapers play a valuable role in the local economy as they offer a convenient space for local businesses to advertise and connect with their community. "It's also a win-win for local businesses and the paper itself," says Cherie Smith from Walpole CRC,  "businesses get their ads out there, and that ad money helps keep the [Walpole] Weekly going strong."

These community newspapers also provide an avenue for CRCs to communicate their various projects and activities, showing their impact to the community, which is invaluable in securing grants and reporting to funders. They also help generate income for many of the CRCs, assisting in them building a sustainable financial base to be able to continue to provide inclusive spaces to bring people together, and respond to the needs of their communities.

Linkwest is increasing efforts to support this network of community newspapers by fostering a space to connect for people involved in their creation and distribution. Linkwest also offers advertising brokerage to create an efficient pathway for organisations to reach people in regional Western Australia . This assists in reaching people in communities with important information they may otherwise miss.

Despite the majority of modern communication now taking place online, most community newspapers continue to have printed editions, often alongside a digital version. This ensures that there is a local source of news and information readily available for people can pick up and read, keeping people connected where digital access and inclusion is otherwise a barrier.

Through the creation and distribution of community newspapers, CRCs across Western Australia are helping to ensure that people are connected through the local stories and information shared in their pages. In the creation of the papers they are also building on the assets in their local people and representing the unique culture of the town and its history in the pages. Each is rightly unique to its place even with names like the Wagin Woolpress telling of the history and fabric of the town. Without these valuable publications, there would be reduced connection within communities, increased social isolation and exclusion, a gap in the reach of information to people not connected online… as well as a lot fewer bad jokes being shared at kitchen tables!

"[The Boyup Gazette] is an integral way for the community to stay connected and informed by sharing local news, upcoming events, government activities, school updates, and other community-related matters."
– Sharon Lampard, Boyup Brook CRC/The Boyup Gazette