Ms Catherine King (Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As members will know, the region I proudly represent has a significant history. A vital element of that notable history is the history of newspapers and publishing. It started when Henry Seekamp launched the Ballarat Times in 1854 and his forthright opinions and courage as a publisher saw him locked up alongside the Eureka rebellion. Ballarat historian Dr Ann Beggs Sunter records Seekamp as:

… a forceful advocate of reform of the goldfields administration, votes for diggers, and improvements in education and local government.

For the past 150 years, it has been the Ballarat Courier that has proudly carried the torch for our region. It is built upon the legacy begun by Seekamp. It continues to campaign, without fear or favour, for reform and community growth. I can assure the House that it holds its public institutions and representatives to account, which is as it should be. It's an important journal of record and is one of the nation's great regional newspapers. The Courier goes out of its way to celebrate the achievements of all in our community. It was very special to be able to celebrate TheCourier's own achievements last Saturday—150 years of reporting in my regional home town of Ballarat. I want to thank it and its many staff, its print staff in particular, for the contribution to the region. I wish them a happy 150th birthday and all the best for the future.