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 2011/12, the following newspapers were found:

  • Advocate (Coffs Harbour) 1991-1995 (Wed.& Sat.; 30 reels) donated to the SLNSW by the Coffs Harbour Regional Museum.
  • District reporter (Nov. 2002-Dec. 2011; 9 reels) donated to the SLNSW by the publisher.
  • Gilgandra weekly & Castlereagh (pre-1949) back issues prior to 1949 were donated by the Editor/General Manager of the Gilgandra Weekly newspaper, and part owner of Gilgandra Newspapers Pty Ltd, Mrs Marion Ferrier.
  • Maitland Mail (20 Dec. 1909). Copy lent to SLSA by the National Trust for filming, with the assistance of the Yorke Peninsula Country Times.
  • Myall Coast nota (1997-1999) loaned to the SLNSW for filming from the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Family Research Group.
  • Nota (Hawks Nest, N.S.W.; 1970-1996) loaned to the SLNSW for filming from the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Family Research Group.
  • Southern star (Moruya, N.S.W.; May 1970-July 1989; 61 reels) donated to the SLNSW by Moruya and District Historical Society.

See also:

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 15 October 2012