General News
9 August, 2025
We've got 140 reasons to smile
This month, the Warracknabeal Herald celebrates its 140th birthday. The anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the pioneers who brought the news to the community.
It is also an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of the men and women who spent countless hours ensuring the paper made it to the press every week.
With ink running through their veins, the Ward family have played prominent roles in Victorian country newspapers, with five generations holding senior positions since 1882.
The family's connection with the Herald began in 1932, when John "Jack" Vyvian Snaith Ward became a shareholder in the business and later the chairman of the directors in 1939.
Jack Ward's primary role was overseeing the operations of The Horsham Times, having taken over the newspaper following the death of his father, George William Ward, in 1920.
Mr Ward often visited the Warracknabeal Herald regularly to inspect the paper, not knowing that one day both his son, grandson, and great-grandson would run the newspaper.
Throughout the month, we will be looking back at the history of the masthead, some of the prominent names, and stories that defined the town.
When the Herald first hit the shelves in 1885, it was four pence, the equivalent of nine cents today.
While the price for many items increased with inflation, the cost of the Herald initially went down to three pence in 1931.
It didn't return to four pence until 1964.
Following the introduction of decimal currency in 1966, the Herald was sold for seven cents, which is only 88 cents today.
In 1990, the price hit double figures, with readers parting with 50 cents to get the 'local rag'.
It rose to $1 in 2000 and $1.20 in 2015, and today, it only costs $3.