By Jannette Thompson
Twenty-one years isn’t long in the life of a newspaper. The world’s first papers were printed in Germany in the early 1600s and The Worcester Journal, which first appeared in 1690 as the Worcester Postman, is still going strong. London’s Daily Post, The Observer and The Times all started in the early 1700s. So, by comparison, 21 years is a bit like a capital letter at the start of a sentence – just the beginning.
Nevertheless, we here at Mahurangi Matters are delighted to acknowledge that this is our 300th issue. In the challenging world that print news competes in today, when many more established and better resourced papers have closed, we are proud to be following, as best we can, the traditions of the newspaper pioneers. By definition, a newspaper is anything that is informative, freely available and published on a regular schedule. All the better if it is also accurate, topical and entertaining!
Ironically, as it gets easier to connect to people around the world, the value and importance of connecting with people in our immediate communities is being better appreciated – after all, people who share the same neighbourhood (and the same Council!) have a lot in common. And as long as that continues, then I feel confident there will always be a place for a community newspaper like this one, where editorial space is not for sale.
On behalf of the team that brings you your twice monthly dose of local news – from the production staff who put it together to the paper boys and girls who deliver it – we thank the business community for their loyalty and support over many, many years. We’ve said it before but it is worth repeating – without you, we would not have a paper. It is particularly pleasing to note that some of our advertisers such as Ray White Bogue, Mahurangi Marine and TV Aerial & Satellite Services have been with the Matters from the very beginning. What better testament can there be than that. Thank you all.
More stories from the author
