General News
20 June, 2025
Hopetoun Courier joins Wimmera Mallee News
The Hopetoun Courier, one of the Mallee’s longest-running community newspapers, is set to continue publishing following an agreement for Wimmera Mallee News to take over production and management of the title from early July.
Following several months of discussion and a public meeting in Hopetoun, the Courier’s board has confirmed that Wimmera Mallee News will assume responsibility for the weekly newspaper, ensuring its continued presence in the Southern Mallee.
The first edition under Wimmera Mallee News will hit shelves on Thursday, July 3, 2025, with a renewed focus on local news, community voices, and regional storytelling.
Wimmera Mallee News general manager Clint King said the Courier is a much-loved publication with deep ties to the Hopetoun community.
“We’re honoured to be continuing the Courier’s proud legacy," Mr King said.
"It’s more than a newspaper, it’s a vital community thread that keeps people informed, connected, and represented."
The decision follows the upcoming retirement of longtime editor and manager Lisa Magee, who has led the Courier through significant changes in recent years.
With no clear successor from within the community, the Courier’s board sought a sustainable solution to ensure the paper’s survival.
“We’ve been printing the Courier at our Warracknabeal press for some time, and this transition means we can continue to do that, but now with the added support of our editorial, design and sales teams across the region,” Mr King said.
“Our goal is to maintain the Courier’s local character while giving it the tools and resources it needs to thrive into the future.”
While the paper will now be operated under the Wimmera Mallee News umbrella, the Hopetoun Courier name and masthead will remain, with a commitment to maintaining its local identity and voice.
The Courier’s board and Wimmera Mallee News are working through the administrative side of the transition, with Lisa Magee staying on in a short-term support role during the handover.
Wimmera Mallee News will also be exploring local staffing options in Hopetoun to ensure the community maintains a strong connection to the paper.
“We’ll be reaching out to community groups, businesses and readers to make sure the Courier remains relevant, accessible and grounded in local life,” Mr King said.
The move has been welcomed by locals as a positive outcome for the future of the paper and the town.
Readers can expect the Hopetoun Courier to return in print each Thursday from July 3.
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