Connecting Communities: The Local Newspaper Bringing Print Back to the Regions

Whitsunday Life Newspaper is proud to be nominated for two categories at the upcoming Whitsunday Business Awards: Business of the Year and Regional Game Changer.

For the past five years, Whitsunday Life has been dedicated to restoring the community’s free voice in print. The newspaper was born in response to the sudden closure of 14 regional papers. With almost a decade of magazine-publishing experience behind them, the company took on the challenge of launching a new newspaper to fill the void.

“It didn’t feel right that regional communities would lose their local papers,” said owner and publisher, Bec Douthwaite.

“From the outset, we were determined to return a free voice to the community. That’s why every printed paper is free, and all our online content is free as well—there is no paywall.

“A big thank you to all our loyal advertisers, many of whom have been with us since the start. You have made the revival of printed newspapers in our community possible.”

Since launching Mackay and Whitsunday Life in 2020, the publishing company has celebrated remarkable success, including more than 10 state awards—most notably the Best Free Newspaper in Queensland in 2024.

The company has also continued to grow, expanding into new regions after being approached by communities eager to see a printed newspaper return.

“It has been an absolute privilege to help neighbouring communities,” said Editor-in-Chief Rachael Smith.

“I remember fondly when we received a call from the Burdekin Economic Development Committee. They loved what we had achieved in the Whitsundays and asked if we could help bring back local news in their region.

“It was an ambitious and slightly daunting task, but we’re proud to say we’ve been successfully publishing a weekly newspaper in the Burdekin for the past two years.

“In 2024, we received another call—this time from the Mayor of Hinchinbrook, who had seen Burdekin Life and asked if we could do the same for his community.

“By November that year, we had launched, and we have now been delivering a free printed newspaper to Hinchinbrook for a full year.”

The company’s growth continues, with its magazine publications now expanding into Townsville.

“It’s incredible to think this is all being achieved from our little publishing house in Cannonvale. We have certainly grown, but our foundation remains firmly rooted here in the Whitsundays.”

The team has expanded significantly since inception, growing from five staff to more than 20. The central office in Cannonvale employs 10 local staff, while the remaining team works remotely across the regions they serve.

What sets Whitsunday Life and the broader Life Publishing Group apart is the uplifting and positive nature of their publications. While the journalists do not shy away from important issues, the guiding sentiment across all titles is one of optimism.

“You don’t need shock or sensationalism to sell newspapers, or to encourage someone to pick up a free one,” said Rachael Smith.

“We believe good quality, uplifting community stories about local personalities and faces reveal the true heart of a region. That is at the very core of our success.”

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The Whitsunday Life office team. Photo credit: R Jean Photography

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