National Library of Australia

Newspapers found

No copies of the first editions (1908-1911) of the Blyth Agriculturist, a mid-north South Australian newspaper, were known to have survived until a brittle bundle of them was discovered in the offices of the Northern Argus newspaper in 2006. Recognising their significance from the list of missing newspapers that the State Library of South Australia maintains through the Australian Newspaper Plan, the Clare Regional History Group donated them to the Library for preservation.

Picture of restored Blyth Agriculturist

Blyth Agriculturist: The pages of the 1908 issues were in brittle fragments and before the Library’s reformatting staff could microfilm them for ANPlan, conservation staff humidified the fragments to remove creases, painstakingly reassembled them and adhered them to acid-free backing tissue with wheat starch. Photo courtesy of the State Library of South Australia.

Similar discoveries may be waiting in other states. Please tell us if you think you may have one of Australia's missing newspapers.

In 2007/8, the following newspapers were found:

  • Spring Creek Advertiser and Rodney Standard (1868-9) VIC
  • The examiner: north-west (1 Jan 1968-30 Apr 1969) TAS
  • Weekly Courier (17 Jul 1913 and 29 Oct 1914) TAS
  • The Norwester (May 1926) QLD
  • Jindaleader (Aug 1965 – May 1970; selected issues Jun 1970 – Mar 1981) QLD
  • Centenary News (Jan 2004; Oct 2004) QLD
  • The Satellite (1967-1969) QLD
  • Barcoo Independent (15 Nov 1902; 3 Apr 1906; 12 Oct 1907; 15 Oct 1910; 22 Oct 1910; 23 Dec 1916; 9 Oct 1926) QLD
  • Daily Record Rockhampton (9 May 1907) QLD
  • Warwick Daily Argus (4 Dec 1945) QLD
  • Warwick Daily News (19 Jun 1914; 4 Dec 1945) QLD
  • Longreach Leader (3 Jan - 5 Dec 1930 & Sep 1955) QLD
  • Kanowna Democrat (1896) WA

Queensland found newspapers

Previously missing Queensland newspapers found as a result of the State Library of Queensland's Search and Rescue campaign. Conservation treatment was required to preserve these newspapers once they had been found. Photo courtesy of State Library of Queensland.

Last updated 25/02/09

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Wanted: Australia's Missing Newspapers

Lists of missing titles:

Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales

Northern Territory

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia