THE Dandenong Journal, Victoria’s oldest community newspaper, has been bought by Star News Group.
The purchase, from Metro Media Publishing, was finalised today.
Star News Group, the largest independent Australian family-owned newspaper company, began in Berwick in 1909. Managing director Paul Thomas is the fourth generation of the family to run the business.
Mr Thomas said that historically, Star News Group had worked closely with former owners of the 148-year-old Journal, which have included every major newspaper publisher in Australia – David Syme & Co, Rupert Murdoch and Fairfax Media.
The purchase follows Star’s recent
acquisition of mastheads in NSW and Queensland. Mr Thomas said it
demonstrated the company’s confidence in the continued strength of
quality local, community-focused newspapers.
“We are excited about the transaction
as it significantly strengthens Star News Group’s community connection
in Melbourne’s rapidly growing south-eastern suburbs,” he said.
“Our newspapers are about people and communities. We have ambitious plans to reinforce and build on The Journal’s
already-strong community connection, and ensure it continues to be the
newspaper of choice for the local community and local businesses.”
Dandenong Journal editor Narelle Coulter said staff were looking forward to an exciting new chapter in the paper’s history.
“The Journal has
been a proud advocate for the Dandenong community for nearly 150 years,
a tradition that will continue well into the future,” she said.
