Geelong Advertiser

The Geelong Advertiser: A Historic Legacy of  Journalism in Victoria

The Geelong Advertiser offers much more than a simple daily newspaper. It is the oldest newspaper in Victoria and second-oldest one in Australia. The Geelong Advertiser, which circulates not only in Geelong but also in the Bellarine Peninsula region and nearby regions for more than 180 years has played an important role in keeping local communities informed.

A Legacy of Reporting – The Beginnings

The Geelong Advertiser’s story begins with James Harrison. A Scottish emigrant who played an important role in creating this iconic publication. Harrison was sent to Sydney by the English company Tegg & Co. in 1837. He then moved to Melbourne, where he found work with John Pascoe Fawkner. Fawkner founded the Port Phillip Patriot. Harrison was both Fawkner’s compositor as well as his editor before purchasing a printing machine from him in 1840.

Harrison, in a momentous historical event, offered PS30 for Fawkner’s original press. Fawkner decided to use the Geelong’s first newspaper and launch the Geelong Advertiser. The first edition, which was originally published weekly, appeared on Saturday, November 21, 1840. The publication was then edited by Harrison, and printed and produced by William Watkins on behalf of John Pascoe Fawkner.

Ownership changes and growth

Harrison became the sole owner in 1842. This marked the start of a new era for the Geelong Advertiser. The newspaper was first printed in demi folio size for the first seven of its existence. It then transitioned to a larger widesheet.

The brief period between 1845 and 1847 when it was called the Geelong Advertiser and Squatter’s Advocate was an interesting part of the history. It highlighted the paper’s emphasis on local agricultural and pasture issues, which were a major concern in this growing region.

After Harrison’s departure, took on the role of coeditor, and later he was succeeded by “Horace. Westfield became co-editor after Harrison’s departure. Horatio Rowcroft then took over the position. The paper underwent a period transformation before merging with the Advertiser in 1869. The paper underwent a period of transformation and expansion in the region, led by Berry.

Technology Advancements and Format Changes

The Geelong Advertiser is always keeping up with the latest technology. The newspaper upgraded its 1858 to a mechanized Steam Press. The paper was able to print faster and distribute more widely after this upgrade.

The Geelong Advertiser underwent a major change in its design on 21st June 1924. The front page now featured news instead of classified ads. This was a major change to align the newspaper with modern journalistic standards. This significant redesign was made possible by the introduction of a new printing press.

The Geelong Advertiser, in recent years, has been able to adapt to the changing trends of the newspaper industry. The paper first experimented with the tabloid size during the Sydney Olympic Games. The experiment was a success, and the paper switched permanently to the format in 2001. This offered readers a compact, modern layout.

Recognition and Impact

The Geelong Advertiser’s commitment to quality journalism has been recognized over the years. The Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers Association awarded the newspaper the Newspaper Of The Year in 2009.. This was to recognize its excellent reporting for the 25-90,000 circulation range.

The Geelong Advertiser is a part of the News Corp Family. It continues to provide local news and events to the Geelong Community, as well as stories and articles that are important to them. Its influence in the region is unquestionable and its legacy as an established news source continues to endure as it adapts itself to the challenges of modern media.

Conclusion

Since its humble beginnings, the Geelong Advertiser newspaper has come a very long way. The Geelong Advertiser has evolved from a small, locally-owned printing press owned by James Harrison, to a modern tabloid newspaper published by News Corp. It played a key role in shaping Geelong, documenting its growth and challenges and providing a forum for important voices and stories. The Geelong Advertiser has a rich history that spans over 180 years. It is more than just a paper–it is a testament to local journalism’s power and an important institution in Geelong