Hi, I am Margaret Stepniewski, the Editor.
I moved to Mulgoa with my family in 1987 and decided to start the Mulgoa Valley Gazette in June 1998 with a front page article on the desperate need for volunteers for the Scouts. The paper was distributed in Mulgoa and the neighbouring villages of Wallacia & Luddenham…….. but it didn’t prevent the Scouts closing down.
The paper was on its way though and Warragamba and Silverdale were added to the circulation in 2001. The name changed to the Mulgoa Valley & Warradale Gazette and our 5 local villages had the chance to become a community. We have the same rural background, the same desire for a quiet lifestyle away from the city and we are mostly within the Anglican and the Catholic Church Parishes. However we are divided into 3 Local Government areas, 2 Federal areas and 2 State areas. We are all on the far boundaries of these areas, so a long way from the political centres and the allocation of resources.
The Mulgoa Valley & Warradale Gazette has helped create an identity for us.
The Glenmore Gazette was started in July 2004 to give the residents there the same opportunity to feel like a community. The suburb has grown quickly with many families moving into the area with little family support or local connections. The area has been designed with the community in mind, but it needs regular information to cement that feeling of belonging, especially when so many people have to travel out of the area for work. Those residents, too busy to be involved in the community, can still read about it and feel a part of it. The Glenmore Gazette helped set up the Glenmore Park Action Group, which has developed into an important part of the community, has achieved a great deal of positive action over the past few years.
The Emu & Leonay Gazette was started in May 2006. This area has its own unique identity. It is over the river from Penrith but not part of the Blue Mountains. It has a well established community but not even its own post code. It needed its own paper to highlight local issues and promote local achievements. The Gazette has fulfilled this important resource for the area and has been really well received by the residents.
Local businesses and community groups have been delighted with the response to their advertisements and announcements.
The Echo was added in November 2008 with 9000 papers delivered to Katoomba, Leura & Wentworth Falls in the Upper Blue Mountains.
The team behind the Gazette includes Linda the office manager and bookkeeperand Jodie, our part time graphic designer who has had the challenge of setting out the adverts and the editorial layout.
We are always happy to promote, free of charge, community news and events and local achievements. Community announcements such as births, deaths, obituaries, weddings, engagements, anniversaries and birthdays are welcome. Articles of interest are accepted at the Editor’s discretion and ‘Letters to the Editor’ may be printed and edited if necessary. Names must be submitted but can be withheld from publication at the writer’s request.
The advertising policy is that priority is given to businesses connected to local residents. An editorial focus on a local business may be included if space permits.
Adverts are accepted on the basis that the Terms & Conditions are accepted.
