PEOPLE power wanting a local voice was responsible for the creation of the Kiama Independent.
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In June, 1949 A.J Weston (Bert) wrote the history of the paper to that point and told of the paper’s interesting beginning – newsworthy in its own right.
"The Kiama Independent has a rather unique history in that it was commenced as a result of a public meeting"and that during its 86 years of existence it has remained on the control of the Weston family.
The first newspaper in Kiama was the Examiner (started by Robert Barr) which first saw the light of day in 1858.
However, due to being involved in a libel action, it became insolvent and was purchased by Thomas Garrett, incorporated with the Wollongong lllawarra Mercury.’’
But this move angered the townsfolk, who felt that the paper would not adequately service their needs.
On April 10, 1863 prominent citizens held a meeting at the Steam Packet Hotel (later the Brighton Hotel). A committee of 20 was formed which issued a prospectus of a weekly journal to be called the Kiama Independent.
The prospectus detailed the sentiment that the committee was unhappy with a paper being run in Wollongong by someone from the north. While older than Kiama, Wollongong was smaller and there was a bitter rivalry between the two towns. According to AJ Weston’s account, the prospectus read, in part.
…“The committee also felt, that in a district like Kiama, having such large resources and so public spirited a population a local newspaper must be a kind of social necessity.’’
The prospectus called for 300 pounds needed to buy the necessary equipment and the committee flagged its intention to seek subscribers.
Joseph Weston, a carpenter and son of a farmer, had come to Australia from England in 1852, aged 27. He took on the exciting new venture, with Robert Barr as printer.
The first issue was published on July, 1863. It was four pages and cost 6d.
A number of other publications entered the market in the paper’s early days including the Kiama Pilot, (started by Robert Barr) and the Kiama Reporter.
Among his many early important contributions to Kiama life both through and outside the newspaper, Joseph Weston became known as the father of the co-operative movement. At his suggestion and via his efforts and influence through the paper, the first dairy farmers co-operative in Australia was established in 1883.
When he died in 1913, the paper was left in the hands of his family John McLean, Joseph, Mary and Eleanor.
John McLean, ably assisted by his sister Mary, edited the paper for 33 years until he died in 1946, aged 71.
John’s son Bert (AJ) Weston took the reins upon his father’s death.
Like his grandfather, Bert became a prominent member of the town and under his stewardship, the paper underwent a terrific period of modernisation until his death at just 42.
Bert’s wife, Marj, and three sons, John, Colin and Bruce, took over the running of the paper and took into its most successful period, employing some 90 staff and adding two mastheads – the Lake Times and Wollongong and Northern Leader.
The Weston family sold the papers to Southern Independent Publishers in 2005.
Fairfax Media bought the Kiama Independent and Lake Times in 2010.