National Library of Australia

ANPlan in Your State/Territory

Each State or Territory Library has primary responsibility for the newspapers published in its jurisdiction. Click on a State/Territory for further information about how ANPlan is preserving access to newspapers in that area.

ANPlan in the Australian Capital Territory

The National Library of Australia and the ACT Heritage Library work cooperatively to ensure the preservation of newspaper titles published in the Australian Capital Territory. The National Library of Australia has responsibility for both national newspapers and newspapers published in the ACT. Retrospective ACT titles microfilmed in 2006/7:

  • Canberra Advertiser: 11 Jul 1973-17 Dec 1975
  • Capital Senior: Winter 1997–Autumn 2003
  • Canberra City Advocate: 1 Oct 1977-3 March 1979
  • Northside Chronicle: 23 Jan 1990-24 Dec 1990; 15 Jan 1991-27 Dec 1993; 1 Jan 1994-25 Dec 1995; 15 Jan 1996-16 Dec 1997; 13 Jan 1998-14 Dec 1999
  • Atlas Northern; Southern; Canberra: 15 Dec 1954-26 Jan 1955

See also the Australian Capital Territory ANPlan page.

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ANPlan in New South Wales

There are over 1,917 NSW newspapers in the State Library's collection including 305 current titles and 1,612 'dead' titles. None have significant unfilmed periods. The State Library's paper copy is completely filmed for 1 880 or 98% of titles.

Newspapers are a heavily used resource and provide an interesting reflection of the community. The city/country breakdown is 55% of NSW newspaper titles published in rural areas and 45% of titles in cities. Twenty-three percent, or about 70 titles, currently received are in 35 community languages other than English.

In addition to the current newspaper microfilming program, in which all current newspapers are microfilmed systematically as a volume is completed, in 2006/7, two retrospective titles were acquired and microfilmed. NSW public libraries, historical societies, newspaper publishers and members of the public identify new newspapers or unfilmed newspapers and bring them to the Library's attention so that claiming and filming may take place. In 2006/7, a total of 1,066,358 pages (5,447 reels; this number includes masters, duplicates and negatives) were added to the State Library of New South Wales' collection. Transfer of newspapers filmed on the unstable cellulose acetate to polyester is a continuing program for the Library as is the creation of 'printing master' copies for each newspaper, thus preserving the original 'preservation master'.

The State Library of New South Wales is currently re-filming the Sydney Gazette & New South Wales Advertiser to complete and improve the quality of the master so that it will be suitable for digitisation.

See also the New South Wales ANPlan page.

In 2006/7, in addition to the current newspaper microfilming program, the following retrospective titles and periods were acquired and filmed:

  • Pix newspaper: Jan-June 1964
  • Glebe observer: Vol 1 No. 1 Fri. Feb 15, 1957-Vol 11, no. 49 Fri. Feb. 7, 1958

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ANPlan in the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory Library preserves both current and retrospective newspaper titles. It is currently engaged in a cooperative microfilming project with the National Library of Australia and the State Library of South Australia to re-microfilm the Northern Territory Times (1891-1932) to a standard suitable for subsequent digitisation.

Retrospective titles filmed in 2006/7:

  • Jungle Juice: Nov 1976-Dec 1980

The following newspapers on acetate were duplicated:

  • Centralian Advocate: Jan 1980-Sep 1985; Jul 1992-Apr 1996
  • Katherine Advertiser: Apr 1979-Jul 1989
  • Katherine Times: 16 Jun 1983-Dec 1995

Regional titles filmed are: Alice Springs News, Centralian Advocate, Katherine Times, Northern Territory News and the Sunday Territorian.

See also the Northern Territory ANPlan page.

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ANPlan in Queensland

The State Library of Queensland's microfilming program includes both current and retrospective newspapers. In 2006/7, the SLQ microfilmed 30 titles, 275 reels in-house, 131 reels by contract; total 406 reels (214,311 frames).

See also the Queensland ANPlan page.

Newspapers filmed in 2006/7:

  • Bayside Bulletin (Cleveland): 4 Jan 2005-30 Aug 2005
  • Beaudesert Times: 4 Jan 2006-28 Dec 2006
  • Boomerang (Brisbane): 19 Nov 1887-29 Dec 1888
  • Bundaberg Newsmail: 1 Feb 2006-30 Dec 2006
  • Bundaberg Newsmail: 1 Mar 2000-31 Mar 2000                                 
  • Cairns Post: 1 Feb 2006-30 Apr 2007
  • Capricorn Coast Mirror: 19 Jul 1995-27 Dec 2006
  • Catholic Leader: 2 Jan 2005-32 Dec 2006
  • Central & North Burnett Times: 5 Jan 2006-28 Dec 2006
  • Central Telegraph: 10 Feb 1971-31 Dec 1980
  • Daily Mercury (Mackay): 16 Feb 2006-30 Dec 2006
  • Dalby Herald: 3 Jan 2006-29 Dec 2006
  • Fraser Coast Chronicle (M’Boro ed): 1 Feb 2006-30 Dec 2006
  • Gatton, Lockyer & Brisbane Valley Star: Jan 1994-Dec 2006               
  • Gold Coast Bulletin: 1 Feb 2006-8 Jan 2007    
  • Guardian (Bundaberg): 7 Jul 1999-Dec 1999
  • Guardian (Bundaberg): 3 Jul 2002-31 Dec 2002
  • Gympie Times: 1 Feb 2006-28 Feb 2007
  • Gympie Truth: 2 Jan 1931-30 Jun 1941
  • Hervey Bay Independent: 24 May 1991-29 Dec 2006
  • Nambour Weekly: Jan 2006-Dec 2006
  • Noosa Citizen: 5 Jan 1994-30 Dec 1998
  • Noosa News: 1 Dec 1968-28 Dec 1974 
  • North West Star: 1 Jan 2006-29 Dec 2006
  • Queenslander: 3 Feb 1866-31 Dec 1870
  • Roma Leader: 20 Oct 1971-3 Jul 1981
  • Sunshine Coast Daily: 1 Feb 2006-20 Feb 2007
  • The Weekly (Caloundra): 4 Jan 2006-27 Dec 2006     
  • Townsville Bulletin: 1 Feb 2006-31 Mar 2007
  • Western Times (Charleville): 5 Jan 2006-28 Dec 2006

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ANPlan in South Australia

The State Library of South Australia (SLSA) maintains preservation standard in-house microfilming facilities and has been contributing to the Australian Newspaper Plan (ANPlan) since its beginning as the National Newspaper Plan Working Group in 1991.

Each year, SLSA microfilms all current South Australian newspapers and as many ‘old’ newspapers as funding will allow. In the 2006-2007 financial year, SLSA produced 475 reels of microfilm - the highest number filmed in 12-months by the Library since ANPlan began.

All retrospective filming of newspapers is funded either through ANPlan microfilming cooperative project payments from the National Library of Australia or in partnership with South Australian local councils, public libraries and newspaper publishers.

The State Library of South Australia’s current goal is to complete retrospective filming of The Advertiser, South Australia’s longest-running daily newspaper. The gap in preservation standard film for this important title has been reduced to the editions from 1939-1959. It will be reduced further in 2007-2008 when SLSA uses ANPlan funding to film 1940-1944. The National Library is digitising The Advertiser from SLSA’s high quality microfilm for the Newspaper Digitisation Project.

SLSA’s next priority is the South Australian Register, South Australia’s first newspaper. Its first edition was printed in London in June 1836 shortly before its publishers set sail for the new colony. The Library has recently piloted its own newspaper digitisation projects using the earliest years of this title as well as The Border Watch (1910-1912) funded by the Mount Gambier Public Library, and the Southern Argus (1866-1913) Victor Harbor Times (1912-1941) funded by the Victor Harbor Public Library.

In January 2007 SLSA surveyed regional and suburban newspaper publishers about the possibility of receiving from them the ‘pre-press’ electronic files that are used to print current hard-copy newspapers. These files could become important elements in preserving access to Australian newspapers.

Newspapers at the State Library of South Australia

Newspaper titles recently microfilmed

  • Advertiser 1929 – 1939 (funded by ANPlan), 2007 (funded by Advertiser Newspapers Ltd).
  • Blyth Agriculturist 1909 – 1911 (ANPlan)
  • Mount Barker Courier 1960 (Mount Barker Community Library)
  • Green Room 1913 – 1915 (ANPlan)
  • Naracoorte Herald 1987 – 1991 (Naracoorte Lucindale Council)
  • Penola Pennant 1978 – 1990 (Millicent Public Library)
  • Recorder (Port Pirie) 1987 (Port Pirie Public Library)
  • South Australian regional and Messenger Press newspapers 2004, 2005 (SLSA)
  • South Eastern Times 1990 – 1991 (Millicent Public Library)
  • Southern Cross 1951 – 1970 (Catholic Archives)
  • Sunday Mail 2007 (Advertiser Newspapers Ltd)

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ANPlan in Tasmania

Responsibility for Tasmanian newspaper titles is shared between two organisations. The Archive Office of Tasmania is responsible for collecting newspapers prior to 1912 and the State Library of Tasmania is responsible for newspapers from 1912 onwards.

The State Library of Tasmania has complete microfilm collections of almost all of the state's newspapers. It manages the microfilming of major Tasmanian newspapers (Mercury, Examiner and Advocate) and a range of Tasmanian regional newspapers (see list below).

See also the Tasmania ANPlan page.

Major Daily Newspapers filmed in 2006/7:

  • Mercury: July 2006-June 2007
  • Examiner: July 2006–June 2007
  • Advocate: Feb 2006–Jun 2007    

Tasmanian Regional and Historical Newspapers filmed in 2006/7:

  • Luina News: May 1976-Apr 1984
  • Tasmanian Travelways: Feb 2000–Jan 2004
  • Eastern Shore Sun: 2004–2005
  • Circular Head Chronicle: Jan–Dec 2005
  • Tasmanian Senior: 1994–2003
  • Brighton Community News: 1999–2004
  • Gazette (New Norfolk): 2005
  • Huon Valley News: 2005
  • Island News: 2005
  • Tasman Gazette: 2005
  • Tasmanian Country: 2005
  • Togatus: 2003-2005
  • Glenorchy City Gazette: 1990–1992
  • Glenorchy Gazette: 1993-2005
  • Classified Trader: 2005
  • Treasure Islander: 2004-5
  • Trading Post: 2005
  • Western Herald: 2005

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ANPlan in Victoria

The State Library of Victoria microfilms both current and retrospective newspapers. A priority list for microfilming has been developed which will ensure that those newspapers of highest significance which are most at risk will be addressed first.

In 2006/7, the State Library of Victoria commissioned the microfilming of 5 significant retrospective titles (107 reels, 59,016 frames); 509 reels of acetate microfilm were duplicated.

In addition to these titles, the State Library of Victoria has an ongoing program to microfilm current and recent issues of the Melbourne daily newspaper the Herald-Sun, and the rural newspaper the Weekly Times. All back issues of these two newspapers have been microfilmed and this program ensures that microfilm holdings for these two major and significant titles are kept up to date. Approximately 48 reels of the Herald-Sun, and 6 reels of the Weekly Times are produced annually.

The digitisation of three Victorian regional newspapers is currently in a testing stage. The titles are:

  • Gippsland Times (Sale) 1861-1971
  • Bendigonian (Bendigo) 1895-1920
  • Portland Guardian 1842-1979

See also the Victoria ANPlan page.

Retrospective titles filmed in 2006/7:

  • South Bourke & Mornington Journal: 1923-Aug 1927  
  • Dandenong Journal: 1 Sep 1927 - Dec 18 1972   
  • Heyfield Herald: Jan 1910-Dec 1930, Jan 1933-Jan 1934; 11 Nov 1948-24 Oct 1956 
  • Talbot Leader: Jan 1879-Dec 1881         
  • Great Southern Advocate: 1921-1940

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ANPlan in Western Australia

In 2006/7, the State Library of Western Australia re-filmed 9 titles (529 reels) of newspapers classed as significant and at risk of loss due to deterioration and 4 titles (59 reels) of regional and local high demand titles (total frames: 392,785). In addition to this, 3 significant titles (46 reels, 32,997 frames) were microfilmed as part of a cooperative microfilming project with the National Library of Australia. At the State Library of Western Australia, The Historical Records Rescue Consortium (HRRC) project, funded by Lotterywest, includes a significant funding component for filming newspapers. This project runs to the end of 2007.

See also the Western Australia ANPlan page.

In 2006/7, the State Library of Western Australia re-filmed the following newspapers, classed as significant and at risk of loss due to deterioration:

  • Sunday Times: 3 August 1947-2 October 1960*
  • Coolgardie Miner: 1 March 1913–29  December 1917
  • Kalgoorlie Miner: 1 January 1906–30 December 1950
  • Northern Times: 26 August 1905–5 June 1952
  • Pilbarra Goldfields News: 7 January 1898–27 December 1900, 2 January 1902–20 March 1923
  • Eastern Districts Chronicle: 6 January 1906–7 January 1927
  • South Western News: 26 October 190 –29 December 1949
  • Geraldton Guardian: 2 October 1906–30 December 1950
  • Daily News: 26 July 1882–5 November 1925

Cooperative newspaper microfilming with National Library of Australia:

  • The Camp Chronicle: the soldiers’ paper: 9 Dec 1915-1 Aug 1918
  • The Fremantle Districts Sentinel: 11 April 1934-Oct/Nov 1948
  • W.A. Sportsman and its subsequent titles, The Call: Western Australia’s critical, sporting, dramatic, motor, society and motion picture journal, The Call-news pictorial, New Call, The new call and Bailey’s weekly, The call and Bailey’s weekly, The Call: 29 May 1914-30 Jul 1953

The following regional and local high demand titles were also filmed:

  • Esperance Express: 2 Feb–30 May 1995
  • Geraldton Guardian: 1 June 1994-27 Dec 2001
  • The Post: Sept 1977-25 Dec 1984
  • Stirling City News: 4 Feb 1971-13 Apr 1978

* The Sunday Times 25 Dec 1910-2 Oct 1960 was filmed with funding from the Sunday Times. The Sunday Times has made available funding for a fourth and final year to film this newspaper up to 1970.

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ANPlan in Your State/Territory