State’s oldest now a Star

THE Dandenong Journal, Victoria’s oldest community newspaper, has been bought by Star News Group.
The purchase, from Metro Media Publishing, was finalised Monday.
Star News Group managing director Paul Thomas said that historically Star News Group had worked closely with former owners of the 148-year-old paper, particularly in the era when his grandfather Herb Thomas was at the helm of the Gazette and Greg Dickson had The Journal.
The Journal has been owned by almost every major newspaper publisher in Australia – including David Syme and Co, Rupert Murdoch and Fairfax Media.
The purchase followed Star’s recent acquisition of mastheads in New South Wales 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, who returns to Star, 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.
Star had its beginnings in 1909 when Albert Edward Thomas began producing the Berwick Shire News and Pakenham and Cranbourne Gazette, which moved to Pakenham as the Gazette in 1917. The Gazette is still published today.