THE Ararat Advertiser and the Stawell Times-News were out seeking feedback and suggestions as part of Community Journalism Day on Wednesday.
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Community Journalism Day was about celebrating the special relationship mastheads like The Courier (Ballarat), the Bendigo Advertiser, The Standard (Warrnambool), the Moyne Gazette, the Wimmera Mail Times (Horsham), the Ararat Advertiser, The Advocate (Daylesford) and the Stawell Times-News have with readers.
"Community Journalism Day was a chance for us to engage with the communities, to listen to reader concerns and to take on board their thoughts and ideas about our newspapers," Ararat Advertiser and Stawell Times-News editor Kim Quinlan said.
Ararat Advertiser media consultant Nick Smith, sports journalist Adam Hill and senior journalist Rex Martinich started the day at Vines Cafe in Ararat.
Mr Martinich said a loyal reader provided some great feedback and constructive criticism about the paper.
“The woman who spoke with us had read the Ararat Advertiser for the past 80 years and our newspaper was the first thing she picked up on the days we publish an edition,” he said.
“Though we have expanded our coverage of Ararat Rural City council, including live online updates from meetings, it was a good reminder that not everyone has access to our digital stories.
“It was also a reminder for us to stay up to date on what’s going on the great towns and communities that surround Ararat.”
The Ararat Advertiser also visited the Grampians Store at Pomonal.
Mr Hill said it was great to get out to the community and meet people that journalists do not normally come across during their work.
"We got some mixed feedback and will be working hard to continue improving our publications for the community to enjoy in the future,” he said.
Mr Smith said he wanted to thank everyone who took the time out to speak with staff members for Community Journalism day.
“It was good to get some feedback from members of the community and hear what we are doing well and what we can improve on,” he said.
Stawell Times-News sports journalist Lachlan Williams and journalist Anthony Piovesan headed to the Black Duck Cafe.
Mr Piovesan said it was a great opportunity.
“We had members from community and not-for-profit groups attend and provide constructive feedback about the newspaper,” he siad.
“It was a good day to get out in the community, meet key faces around the town and get a more precise view of what readers want from the Stawell Times-News.”