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The Moorabool News – 3 May, 2022 Page 3
It’s time … to say farewell By Lachlan Ellis After an incredible 18 years at the helm, Helen Tatchell, editor, and owner of the Moorabool News publication, is handing over the reins. “I’ve sold the newspaper and am stepping away completely from the role,” she said. “I would like everyone to know that the paper will be in very safe hands with new owner Warick Brown from the Times News Group. “It will be business as usual for the Times News Group as they will continue our community work; being an independent and locally-owned business with seven mastheads, they understand the importance that the community must still be connected.” Ms Tatchell said it has been quite an incredible journey. “I have seen a lot, heard a lot and printed a lot. Some not to the liking of a few. I never expected to be in the role for so long actually, one day just rolled into another really. “It has been an absolute pleasure to have been connected with the Moorabool community and the many loyal clients that have supported us over the time.” The journey started for Ms Tatchell with the Ballan News, a paid paper with a small circulation of around 600 each week, then the creation of Bacchus Marsh News, publishing on a Tuesday and a Thursday respectively. “I was probably working close to 80
Meet the new owner
hours a week for a long time and then husband came up with the great idea to merge the two papers into one, thus creating the Moorabool News. And the rest, as they say, is history,” she said. The Moorabool News went on to saturate the shire with over 12,000 free copies weekly. “My team, who work alongside me, have helped produce not just a ‘local rag’, but a credible and sought-after weekly country newspaper, that is Moorabool centric.” Ms Tatchell said she may have been a big part in Moorabool however,
“Moorabool has been a bigger part in me”. “I feel I really do need to thank the community and organisations so, I invite everyone to join me at St Annes Vineyard on Thursday 26 May, from 2-4pm, to share in a free afternoon tea and refreshments. All are welcome.” Mr Brown will officially take over the business on Wednesday 1 June with Ms Tatchell assisting with a 30-day transition. Bookings for the afternoon tea can be made at https://www.trybooking. com/BZFOV or enquiries to 0437 96 00 85.
Warick Brown is the Managing Director of the Times News Group, and he explains his decision to purchase the Moorabool News. “Extending our community news coverage to the Moorabool region has always been part of our thoughts,” he said. “It will be a great opportunity for us to represent the voice of the community, keep them well informed and continue our focus of ‘what’s good about where we live.’” Along with their other printed newspaper mastheads Ballarat Times, Bendigo Times, Golden Plains Times, Geelong Times, Surf Coast Times, Armstrong Creek Times and Bellarine Times, Mr Brown said the Moorabool News will provide another fantastic community focused print masthead. “But it will also extend our audience reach and engagement in the digital and social space. We will offer this community free hyper local content they can consume … how they want, and when they want.” Mr Brown said he wishes Ms Tatchell all the very best. “I also congratulate Helen for passing on the legacy to the region that she has.” The Times News Group is an independent organisation and locally owned and operated, mirroring the Moorabool News operation.
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