Bunyip (newspaper)

The Bunyip newspaper building, Gawler South Australia established 1863

The Bunyip is a weekly newspaper originally published and printed in Gawler, South Australia, covering the Barossa, Light, Playford and Adelaide Plains regions. Since 2003 it has been a member of the Taylor Group of publications, printed in Renmark along with The Murray Pioneer (Riverland), The Loxton News (Loxton), The River News (Waikerie), The Border Times (Pinnaroo and the Northern Mallee) and The Mid North Broadcaster.

History

Originally a monthly publication, the first issue of "The Bunyip", subtitled "Gawler Humbug Society's Chronicle" was issued on 5 September 1863, consisted of 8 pages and was priced at 6d.^[1] 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 (was) not only very amusing but strictly correct ... (and should) undoubtedly prove a great success."^[2]

With the paper's success, publication increased to bi-monthly in February 1865 (there was none printed in January), appearing on the first and third Saturday of each month. With new printing machinery, the paper upsized to broadsheet format. And its title had become The Bunyip or Gawler Chronicle and Northern Advertiser.^[3] 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.

In February 1885 the Bunyip's building was destroyed by fire.^[4] William Barnet, the proprietor, 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.^[5]

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.^[6]

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.^[7]

The Owners

• William Barnet (1834–1895). His daughter married F. C. Custance, son of Professor John D. Custance.
• Robert Henry Barnet (ca.1869–1917) 3rd son of William
• Frank L. Barnet ( – ), a graduate of Roseworthy College,^[8] was owner from 1917.
• Ken Barnet
• John Barnet ran the paper from 1975.^[9]
• It remained in the Barnet family until 2003. It is now owned by the Taylor Group, also a family concern,^[10] who are also owners of the Murray Pioneer, based in Renmark.

The Editors

• Dr. George Nott 1863 to 1866^[11]
• T. Godfrey 1867 to 1868 (went on to Wallaroo Times then New Zealand)^[12]
• J. B. Austin 1868 (then founded Gawler Times)^[13]
• Benjamin Hoare 1869 to 1871 (later to have an illustrious career with the Melbourne Age)^[14]
• Edward Grundy 1871 to 1875 (ex-parliamentarian and political aspirant 1875)^[15]
• George Loyau 1878 to 1879 (an important historian of the district)^[16]
• Louis Joseph Wilson 1880 (arrested for embezzling £107 10s. 6d. from Mudla Wirra council, of which he was clerk. Was also secretary of the Jockey Club)^[17]
• Alfred Drakard 1881 to 1882
• Henry John "Harry" Congreve 1885 to 1890 (also prominent writer to Adelaide papers as "H. J. C.")^[18][19]
• E. H. Coombe 1890 to 1914
• Robert Barnet 1914 to ca.1930
• Leslie S. Duncan ca.1930 to ca.1945 Duncan was M.P. for Gawler, and with the Bunyip for 30 years.^[20]
• 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 to now?

References

External links

• Company website
• "The Bunyip": Gawler Public Library Historical Pamphlet No. 5