ABOUT US

The “Buloke Times” is published twice weekly, on Tuesday and Friday, and is circulated through the Buloke Shire and the districts of Birchip, Charlton, Donald, St. Arnaud, Watchem and Wycheproof.

Proudly locally owned and operated, serving local communities and employing local people.

The “Buloke Times” has its origins in the “Donald Times”, founded in Donald in 1875, by Mr Godfrey Morgan (pictured, 1836-1891). In 1865, Godfrey conducted the “Landsborough Times”, but in 1875, seeing the possibilities inherently in the rise of agricultural and pastoral activities as more viable than gold prospecting, he chose Donald as the place in which to start this district’s first newspaper, the “Donald Times”.

Moving the necessary plant and part of an office building by bullock waggon was symbolic of the hard grind that was to follow, but he and his wife (formerly Miss Mary Elizabeth Williamson, of Landsborough) were of true pioneering material, and saw their enterprise gradually rewarded.

The first edition of the “Donald Times” was produced on July 29, 1875.

Between 1908 and 1970, the “Donald Times” Office was located at 46 Woods Street, before relocating to larger premises at 6 McCulloch Street (formerly Bolden’s Garage).

On January 9, 1973, the first edition of the “Donald-Birchip” Times” was printed, following the amalgamation of the “Donald Times” and “Birchip Guardian”.

In 1987, at the time of his death, Godfrey William (G.W.) Letts, had completed 66 unbroken years as editor of the “Times”, having joined the newspaper in 1921, from Kalgoorlie, W.A., at the invitation of his uncle, W.A. Morgan (son of the newspaper’s founder). He is believed to be the longest serving editor of a newspaper anywhere in the world.

In 1995, in line with council amalgamations and the restructure of local government, the “Donald-Birchip Times” changed its name to the “Buloke Times”, to better represent its expanding readership, which now included residents of Donald, Birchip, Charlton, Watchem and Wycheproof.

The first edition was published on January 17, 1995.

Current editor of the “Buloke Times”, Robin Letts, son of the late G.W. Letts, has occupied the role since his father’s death. The newspaper is owned and operated by David Letts (son of Robin and great-great-grandson of the founder), who joined the printing staff in 1980.