[update, February 2013 -- Wilcannia News renews publication, via new funding structure. More details soon]

After 8 YEARS and 378 editions, Wilcannia News has ceased circulation

Following Maari Ma’s abrupt removal of funding from the Wilcannia News, the last edition of the Wilcannia News under the current committee and in the current format was Vol. 9, Issue 35 (18th September, 2012).

It goes without saying that there are many people who can take the credit for Wilcannia News:

• Maari Ma have picked up the tab for any shortfall that was not raised through advertising and paper sales. Maari Ma received all the advertising revenue from the paper.
• The residents who have supported the paper by buying it each week from the local business’s who sold it without taking commission. 
• The hundreds of people who have opened up and let us record their “Community Profile”, this became one of the most popular sections of the paper.
• The advertisers, both regular and casual. The Wilcannia Golf Club and Sureway Employment have advertised in every edition since we began in December 2004, showing a  true commitment to the town.
• Local, State and Federal Government agencies who have found the paper a useful means of advertising jobs, meetings, workshops and general information.
• The schools who have given freely of material each week that highlights the good work that is being done by their students. Thanks to Patrick and staff at St Therese’s and  Michelle and Chloe at the Central School
• Contributors such as “Kookaburra” in the early years, “Bulldust” from the beginning to the end, “Clarrie” with his “I remember,” Harold Hunts words of wisdom, history and most importantly his “Friday Funnies”, Sister Flo’s “Thought for the Week”, Emma’s “Food for the Soul”, have all helped give the Wilcannia News its particular flavour.
• The Barrier Area Local Command police report, Centacare and Save the Children are recent arrivals, which reflect the changes that are happening in the community.

The committee finishes this paper with a feeling of disappointment at the extremely short (2 days) notice given to the paper by the Maari Ma Board.

This factor has made it impossible for the committee to find alternative sources of funding to ensure the continuity of the paper, especially with the added requirement to have the printer, desks and chairs etc returned to Maari Ma by Wednesday. (tomorrow). Thanks to Sureway for the brief stay in your office after we had to move out of the original office in order for renovations to take place.

It is also regrettable that another side effect of the sudden change to funding arrangements will impact on some of our advertisers, including government departments and non government agencies, who have supported the paper over the years and in some cases have requested advertising in future editions.  

Subscribers who have paid in advance—We will work with Maari Ma to process refunds of outstanding subscriptions.

And so, to the 139 subscribers and 180 regular paper buyers, thanks for your support, encouragement and loyalty. It has been a great ride.