Advertiser saved from closure
• New owner of the North-Eastern Advertiser Rachel Williams will take over on July 12.
June 28, 2023
The local legacy of the North-Eastern Advertiser will continue under the new ownership of respected journalist and former television news presenter Rachel Williams.
Through her communications business, Millwood Media, Rachel has purchased the newspaper from current owner Karen Hall with the tenure change to take place on Wednesday July 12.
New owner Rachel Williams is excited about taking on the role of editor when Taylor Clyne finishes work on July 12, to focus on the impending arrival of her second baby.
With 23 years’ experience in the media and communications industry Rachel is looking forward to spending more time in the North-East to produce the weekly publication.
She is no stranger to the region with family, friend and former footy connections - she met her husband, James, the year he captained Scottsdale Football Club’s reserves team to the 2000 premiership!
“My dad, Gary, was born in Scottsdale and some of my best memories growing up are of spending time with my Nan Shirley, and Pop Lionel, on their farm at West Scottsdale and camping at Bridport with them,” she said.
“I now holiday with my family in Bridport at our little shack - my boys Hamish (13), Rupert (11) and Edmund (7) absolutely love spending their holidays at the beach and we plan to build our forever home here in the future.
“I strongly believe in the future of this area and am genuinely excited about reconnecting with many familiar faces and friends and introducing myself to those I am yet to meet.”
Rachel began her career as a cadet journalist at The Examiner Newspaper in 2000 and is perhaps best known for her decade-long stint as a news presenter on 7 Tasmania News.
“I firmly believe in the importance of a strong, local media and I’m committed to the North Eastern Advertiser's long-term future,” she said.
“I would like to pay tribute to the Hall family for their dedication to this newspaper over the past 20 years and thank Karen for the opportunity to continue printing this much loved community offering,” she said.
“I would also like to acknowledge Taylor Clyne who has put her heart and soul into the paper.
“I look forward to seeing her welcome her new addition to her family and we will continue to stay in contact about her work plans when she is ready.”
Departing owner Karen Hall said the announcement was a fabulous outcome for the future of local news.
“We are thrilled the paper will continue as a weekly edition and for the continuation of distribution via our current paper kid families, shops and post offices, as well as our loyal subscribers and readers.
“I’m confident that the business will be in very safe hands with Rachel as she brings extensive experience in all things journalism and media as well as her local connections and community interests in the region.
“My family and I particularly want to sincerely acknowledge and thank our loyal and longstanding staff, especially the dynamic duo of Editor Taylor Clyne and Ebony Styles in admin and sales.
“Along with Daisy Baker, Peter Fish, Aga Sikorska-Meikle, Susie Goodall, Tony Scott and Dustin Hollick, we have had the privilege of a fantastic team of staff over a very long time,” she said.
“We are eternally grateful for the support from our loyal customers, advertisers and news contributors over the past 20 years and wish Rachel’s family and all concerned all the very best for a smooth transition and successful future.”
Rachel will officially take over the 114-year-old independent newspaper on July 12 and encourages the community to say hi when they see her around the region.