The Loxton News

The earliest roots of what was to become The Loxton News began with the founding of the Loxton Clarion (1925–1928).[1] Its proprietor, Jack Irving, endeavoured to produce a publication reflecting the concerns of Loxton and surrounding districts. Its articles covered crops, care of livestock, vehicle maintenance, and local sport.[2]

Thirty years later, the Loxton Community Newsletter (June 1956–March 1960),[3] published by The Loxton District War Memorial Community Centre, began publication monthly as a separate (i.e. non-Irving) publication. In April 1960, this newspaper was incorporated into the newly-formed Loxton News (first issued 28 April 1960), since Irving had come out of retirement to found a new newspaper published in Loxton by J.C. Irving & Co., Ltd.[4] In 1964 it was sold to the Murray Pioneer[2] and (after moving from its former East Terrace location) it is now published at premises on Riverside Avenue in Berri.[5][6]

Along with The Bunyip, The Murray Pioneer, and The River News, The Loxton News is now owned by the Taylor Group of Newspapers and printed in Renmark.[7]

It is published weekly, on Wednesdays, and has a circulation of 2400 copies.[8] The newspaper's distribution includes: Barmera, Berri, Renmark, Waikerie, Moorook, Kingston-On-Murray, and Northern Mallee towns including Alawoona, Mindarie, Karoonda, Wanbi and Wunkar.[9] Like other Taylor Group publications, the newspaper is also available online.[10]

The newspaper has won many Country Press SA awards.[2] To date, it has received 24 awards, with 15 for the best newspaper in its circulation category (the first in 1963 and the latest in 2010).[8] Other awards are for excellence in journalism, graphic design, advertising features and outstanding community involvement.[8]

Australian National Library carries images and text versions of the newspaper from 1960 accessible using Trove, the on-line newspaper retrieval service.[11]

• Official website