THE Derwent Valley Gazette wishes all its readers and advertisers a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year.
As is our custom we will take two weeks off to spend time with our families and friends and will return on Wednesday January 12 2022.
To mark our return, we will be expanding readership and distribution of the Gazette from the Derwent Valley and Central Highlands to the Brighton municipality and surrounding areas.
The decision coincides as the Gazette enters its 70th year serving the Valley and Highlands communities.
Local newspapers are the bedrock of communities wanting to celebrate, advocate and record the stories, events and news of the region.
At a time when many regional newspapers across Australia are closing, leaving their communities without a local and vocal voice, at Font Publishing, owners of the Gazette, the story is very different. Font Publishing has a history of stepping up to save local newspapers.
When the previous owners of the Gazette decided to shut it down, Font Publishing took over.
Font did the same to restart Tasmanian Country and the King Island Courier.
Font also publishes local newspapers the East Coast View, the Sorell Times and the Tasman Gazette.
When Font Publishing learned the Brighton community was losing its monthly newspaper, they decided again to step in.
Regional Tasmania needs locally owned and locally produced newspapers.
By expanding our offering we can continue to provide a voice for these local communities which are often ignored by the major media outlets.
Brighton, the Derwent Valley and the Central Highlands have much in common, not just geographic proximity.
The Derwent Valley and Brighton are each growing at an exceptional rate, with new families moving into the areas and boosting the population.
The demand for new services and more infrastructure is very strong and as a newspaper we will continue to champion the region at all levels of government.
The Gazette will be available at IGA Everyday Brighton, Covehill Newsagency, Bridgewater Newsagency, Old Beach Neighbourhood Store and Bagdad local post office.
We look forward to returning in the New Year.