Australian Rural & Regional News is proud that The Naracoorte News has been a contributor and part of the ARR.News network since its inception on 26 January 2021. The Naracoorte News is a great local independent paper and we wish it every success with its innovative REACH 900 campaign.

The Naracoorte News REACH 900 philanthropic campaign will launch with an aim to support the production, sustainability, and longevity of independent news and advocacy for the wider Naracoorte community.

The annual campaign works by aiming to pool $100 donations from 900 people just over 10 per cent of the area’s population to support a year of independent journalism and help the publication reach the communities of Naracoorte, Lucindale, Tatiara, Kingston, Robe and Wattle Range.

The News’ founder and volunteer Michael Waite said the campaign would ensure the publication’s future viability so it can continue to inform on healthcare, education, infrastructure, and communication outcomes.

“Philanthropic support from REACH 900 will help us to continue to level the playing field between The News’ community and the local, state and federal governments with transparency,” he said.

The campaign aims to fortify the future of reporting community stories, adding depth and perspective to community discussion, creating visibility in council chambers by holding local councils accountable and building a virtuous circle of impact ensuring government decision makers are more aware of Naracoorte and the surrounding communities The News serves.

The first to sign up to REACH 900 are ambassadors The Australian associate editor John Ferguson, 7News reporter Cassie Treloar and The Naracoorte News senior journalist Nasik Swami.

“The positive changes The News has brought to the community make it an amazing independent platform,” Nasik said.

Nasik, who grew up in main Fiji island Viti Levu and was previously editor of Shanti Dut, a publication of The Fiji Times and communications officer at the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and the Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network, is proud to call Naracoorte home and advocate on behalf of the community as The News’ journalist alongside Chris Oldfield.

“When I applied for the job, I knew nothing about Naracoorte. I had only been in Australia for six months, living in Melbourne. But the way the community accepted me and hearing all the great stories of the people at The News before me, drew me in,” he said.

The Naracoorte News began in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic to bridge the gap left by the sudden closure of The Naracoorte Herald.

The News has helped the community to be better informed on council proceedings and has supported the plight of farmers during the most recent drought in the South East by highlighting the stories and sufferings of the farmers and calling for government intervention and mental health support.

The publication has also recently played an important role in healthcare and education outcomes by advocating for Lucindale Health Centre to provide adequate services to the community, forcing the state government to make changes to opening hours and has run stories on two of Naracoorte’s largest public schools which have been grappling with escalating teacher shortages and understaffed classrooms.

“The News is by the community, for the community and our team work tirelessly to cover core stories and issues,” Nasik said.

“REACH 900 allows us to continue this work for many years to come,” he concluded.

John Ferguson who has worked at The Australian for over 15 years and grew up in Naracoorte has known Michael since “he was a baby” and is thrilled to support the REACH 900 campaign.

“There are few things more important in a functioning, prosperous society than press. The News is a great asset for Naracoorte and it deserves the community’s support, at a time when governments at every level seek to exploit the fracturing of media to maintain power,” John said.

“The paper has my full support as a former long-term resident with many friends in the area,” he concluded.

Casey Treloar, third generation dairy farmer and news presenter knows firsthand the difference campaigns like REACH 900 can make.

“It’s not lost on me that my media career wouldn’t exist without the opportunity to work in regional newsrooms,” Casey said.

“But beyond the opportunity for journalists, what independent news means to regional communities couldn’t be more profound.

“It is the vital link between locals, and the council, government, businesses and community organisations.

“It’s about ensuring the community has a voice on issues that matter most to its residents, and hold those in power to account,” she concluded.

The Naracoorte News REACH 900 philanthropic campaign will officially launch on Thursday, 14 August at the Naracoorte Town Hall with the support of local council, business leaders, community, elected members and the paper’s contributors.

“We invite anyone interested in supporting us from wherever they are around the world to sign up and support our community,” Michael concluded.

This article appeared in The Naracoorte News, 6 August 2025.