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Weekly newspaper published in Gawler, South Australia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bunyip is a weekly newspaper, first printed on 5 September 1863, and originally published and printed in Gawler, South Australia. Its distribution area includes the Gawler, Barossa, Light, Playford, and Adelaide Plains areas. Along with The Murray Pioneer, The River News, and The Loxton News, The Bunyip was now owned (since 2003) by the Taylor Group of Newspapers and printed in Renmark.[1]
On 1 April 2020, The Bunyip announced that it would cease publication "indefinitely" as a result of losses due to the coronavirus crisis.[2] However, due to public support, the newspaper was able to return shortly afterwards.[3] In August–October 2020, with the temporary closure of The Border Watch, The Bunyip briefly became South Australia's oldest rural newspaper still in print.
Originally a monthly publication, the first issue of The Bunyip, subtitled "Gawler Humbug Society's Chronicle"[lower-alpha 1] was issued on 5 September 1863, consisted of eight pages and was priced at 6d.[4] The name was chosen because "the Bunyip is the true type of Australian Humbug!"[5] It was warmly greeted by the South Australian Register, observing that it was "full of racy articles and local hits ... a very humorous article on the Gawler Agricultural Society's last dinner, which (was) not only very amusing but strictly correct ... (and should) undoubtedly prove a great success."[6]
With the paper's success, publication increased to bi-monthly in February 1865 (there was none printed in January), appearing on the first and third Saturday of each month. With new printing machinery, the paper upsized to broadsheet format, and its title had become The Bunyip or Gawler Chronicle and Northern Advertiser.[7] The following year it became a weekly. By this time however, the paper's original offbeat stance had quite vanished and it had become a regular newspaper.[citation needed]
With three newspapers published in Gawler at the time, conditions allowed William Barnet, the proprietor, to purchase rival the Gawler Times (5 March 1869 to 27 June 1873).[8] Another rival, the weekly (later biweekly) Gawler Mercury (27 November 1875 – 8 July 1876)[9] also folded after a brief run of less than nine months. In February 1885 The Bunyip's building was destroyed by fire.[10] Barnet again wasted no time in having its competitor of seven years, the Gawler Standard (11 January 1878 – 27 February 1885), take over printing duties, then arranged with J. N. Richards (died 23 August 1886),[11] its proprietor, for an immediate merger.[12]
In January 1969, the newspaper absorbed the Junction and Gilbert Valley News, which had been published in Hamley Bridge since February 1940.[13]
The Bunyip's first issue elicited a libel case against the publisher, William Barnet, by one Dr. Home Popham who had set up a hospital in the town and who had advertised boastfully in The Northern Star. The court proceedings were a merry affair with Mr. Stow appearing for the defence and the jury found for the plaintiff, awarding damages of one shilling.[14] Four years later, Barnet was sued in the SA. Supreme Court by Henry Edward Bright MP, for libel and found not guilty. This was greeted by both The Register and the Advertiser as a landmark decision.[15]
This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2019) |
Ben Lennon, November 2023 - current
Like other Taylor Group publications, the newspaper is also available online.[32]
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