General News
4 August, 2022
Dunolly’s Welcome Record issues urgent call for volunteers
Continued from Front Page “These are not difficult jobs volunteers have to do but it is something you have to commit to and turn up each week which I think has put a lot of people off. “So many people in the community have been involved with the...
The volunteers behind Dunolly’s community newspaper have made an urgent plea for more residents to get involved, with the future of the publication in doubt.
The Welcome Record began as a news sheet over 40 years ago and proved to be so popular, it grew to become a widely read community newspaper with a high number of residents involved in creating and distributing the weekly publication.
Since then, volunteer numbers have dwindled at the paper with just one working in the office permanently and two working on a semi-permanent basis.
The publication has been putting the call out for volunteers for several weeks now, however there has been little to no interest and The Welcome Record president Jan Brock said while roles at the paper were not difficult, it was the commitment that made things challenging.
“We really just have our committee members now,” she said.
“Each volunteer has one main role so it’s not as if any of us can take over another role and that’s where we’re in great trouble — if someone is sick or can’t be here, we just don’t have a backup.
“These are not difficult jobs volunteers have to do but it is something you have to commit to and turn up each week which I think has put a lot of people off.
“So many people in the community have been involved with the paper over the years and we need some new people to come on board and give us a hand.”
The Welcome Record publishes news from the local area, items of interest and sporting results, promotes local events and provides businesses with an advertising opportunity at reasonable rates.
Within the first five years of its formation, there were 750 copies of the publication printed and distributed each week, a trend which continued through to the late 80s.
The paper’s editor, Sharron Fitzgerald, said the paper continues to be in high demand and an asset to the community.
“People hang out for it each week and a lot of them are older residents who like to keep in touch with what’s happening in town,” she said.
“For many people it’s a way to learn about what’s going on in the area and the paper is getting more and more popular, it is getting a lot of views on the internet.
“In the last week alone I’ve had enquiries from Bendigo and Ballarat to advertise which is also great, it shows that we’re seen as an important avenue for keeping the community informed.”
Despite the increasing interest in the paper, which is sold for only a 50 cent donation, Ms Fitzgerald said there is a real possibility The Welcome Record could go from being published once a week to once a fortnight, or even monthly.
“It is a consideration and we may have to go down the path of only coming out once a fortnight or once a month, otherwise we’re going to burnout,” she said.
“That’s not something we want to do and we’ve tried to avoid it but it’s a possibility if we can’t get some new volunteers.”
While volunteers of all skill levels are welcome, those familiar with Microsoft Publisher or Microsoft Word in particular are encouraged to get in touch, as well as those willing to proofread, write content or take on tasks involved with producing and distributing the paper.
Existing volunteers are also able to teach new volunteers plenty in terms of computer programs used in putting the paper together.
In addition to being a well-read local paper, The Welcome Record is also a not-for-profit organisation that gives back to the Dunolly community through its grants program.
“We cover our own costs associated with printing and distribution but the rest of that money goes to grants we give out to the community throughout the year,” she said.
“In the last financial year we gave back around $8500 and that money is based on donations we receive and the advertising income that comes in.
“We are an organisation that is completely community-focused and our grants reflect that.”
For further information or to get involved with The Welcome Record, contact Jan Brock on 0438 180 752, call into the office at 83 Broadway, Dunolly or send an email towelcomerecords@iinet.net.au.