Bourke’s The Western Herald to close after 130 years, but editor hasn’t given up
Bourke’s independent news publication The Western Herald is to shut its doors after 130 years.
The Western Herald – which began in 1887 and serves Bourke and its surrounding towns – will stop publishing from December 20, with The Herald’s employees receiving termination letters last week.
A letter from managing editor Frank Povah late last week said a failure to make substantial profit, social media and a declining population in rural areas had contributed to the decision to axe the paper.
“It’s almost as much of a shock to us at The Herald as it no doubt is to you,” Povah wrote.
“We were working hard to develop new income streams, but that has now been put aside.
“We were just beginning to build the business up again by establishing a suppliers’ network further afield and by expanding into other ventures that we know will furnish a return in the first half of next year.”
A copy of The Western Herald, published on October 29, 1887. Source: Trove
But editor Povah said he would not leave Bourke, telling readers he would give it another year – working alone if he has to – to get a “new incarnation” of The Herald up and running.
He asked readers for support: “For many years I ran my own typesetting and editorial service including book and magazine production. I own the same equipment and software I used for the company and in the time I have been at The Herald I have built up a network of specialist suppliers of services,” he said.
A excerpt from The Western Herald in January, 1952. Source: Trove
“This means that I should be able to offer the same ancillary services as The Herald has done in the past – perhaps more,” he said.
“In conclusion, let me say that if there’s any possibility that I can keep a paper in Bourke, I’ll give it a red hot go.”
Povah was appointed editor of the title in January. At the time he told the ABC he saw a future in print media in rural areas, but warned newspaper owners they had to be innovative and learn from owners of start-up companies.
In January, the weekly newspaper had a circulation of around 1,600 copies.
