The Bunyip


The Bunyip is a weekly newspaper, first printed on 5 September 1863, and originally published and printed in Gawler, South Australia. Its distribution area includes the Gawler, Barossa, Light, Playford, and Adelaide Plains areas. Along with The Murray Pioneer, The River News, and The Loxton News, The Bunyip is now owned by the Taylor Group of Newspapers and printed in Renmark.

History

Originally a monthly publication, the first issue of The Bunyip, subtitled "Gawler Humbug Society's Chronicle" was issued on 5 September 1863 and consisted of eight pages and was priced at 6d. The name was chosen because "the Bunyip is the true type of Australian Humbug!" It was warmly greeted by the South Australian Register, observing that it was "full of racy articles and local hits... a very humorous article on the Gawler Agricultural Society's last dinner, which not only very amusing but strictly correct... undoubtedly prove a great success."
With the paper's success, publication increased to bi-monthly in February 1865, appearing on the first and third Saturday of each month. With new printing machinery, the paper up-sized to broadsheet format, and its title had become The Bunyip or Gawler Chronicle and Northern Advertiser. The following year it became a weekly. By this time however, the paper's original offbeat stance had quite vanished and it had become a regular newspaper.
With three newspapers published in Gawler at the time, conditions allowed William Barnet, the proprietor, to purchase rival the Gawler Times. Another rival, the weekly Gawler Mercury also folded after a brief run of less than nine months. In February 1885 The Bunyip's building was destroyed by fire. Barnet again wasted no time in having its competitor of seven years, the Gawler Standard, take over printing duties, then arranged with Richards, its proprietor, for an immediate merger.
In January 1969, the newspaper absorbed the Junction and Gilbert Valley News, which had been published in Hamley Bridge since February 1940.

Controversies

The Bunyip's first issue elicited a libel case against the publisher, William Barnet, by one Dr. Home Popham who had set up a hospital in the town and who had advertised boastfully in The Northern Star. The court proceedings were a merry affair with Mr. Stow appearing for the defence and the jury found for the plaintiff, awarding damages of one shilling. Four years later, Barnet was sued in the SA. Supreme Court by Henry Edward Bright MP, for libel and found not guilty. This was greeted by both The Register and the Advertiser as a landmark decision.

List of owners

  • William Barnet married Hannah Burfield. His daughter Edith Violet Barnet married Frederic C. Custance, son of Professor John D. Custance in 1919.
  • Robert Henry Barnet was third son of William and Hannah
  • Frank L Barnet, a graduate of Roseworthy College, was owner from 1917. He was fifth son of William and Hannah, married Clarice Isobel Carne in 1919.
  • Kenneth Lindley "Ken" Barnet was son of Frank and Clarice.
  • John Barnet ran the paper from 1975.
  • It remained in the Barnet family until 2003. It is now owned by the Taylor Group, also a family concern, who are also owners of the Murray Pioneer, based in Renmark.

    List of editors

  • Dr. George Nott 1863 to 1866
  • T. Godfrey 1867 to 1868
  • J. B. Austin 1868
  • Benjamin Hoare 1869 to 1871
  • Edward Grundy 1871 to 1875
  • George E. Loyau 1878 to 1879
  • Louis Joseph Wilson 1880
  • Alfred Drakard 1881 to 1882
  • Henry John "Harry" Congreve 1885 to 1890
  • E. H. Coombe 1890 to 1914
  • Robert Barnet 1914 to 1917
  • Leslie S. Duncan 1917 to ca.1945 Duncan was M.P. for Gawler, and with the Bunyip for 30 years.
  • Ken Barnet ca.1945 to ca.1965
  • Paul Vincent ca.1965 to ??
  • Ken Barnet
  • John Barnet 1975 to 2003
  • Terry Williams 2003 to 2004
  • Heidi Helbig 2004
  • Rob McLean 2011
  • Grady Hudd 2016

    Distribution

Like other Taylor Group publications, the newspaper is also available online.