78 years ago, Caloundra witnessed a significant milestone in its history.
It was 1947, World War II had recently ended, and the town’s population numbered just a few thousand. Basic amenities were limited— electricity had only been installed during the war and town water and sewerage were yet to be connected. Backyard thunderboxes were a feature of every day life. Despite these modest beginnings, the community was eager for a platform to share news, leading to the creation of Caloundra’s first newspaper, Caloundra The Topic.
Courier-Mail typesetter Jack Crees and linotype mechanic Allan Mills collaborated to launch the monthly publication. Jack’s nephew, John Ensor, hand-delivered each edition to residents. “I put it in every letterbox,” John recalls, “it cost one penny (1d).” John‘s mother, Dorothy Ensor, served as the newspaper’s reporter, gathering stories from across the town. She would phone her findings to the Courier-Mail offices in Brisbane, where the articles were typeset and printed.
Over the decades, other newspapers came and went, each contributing to Caloundra’s growing sense of identity. Notable titles included the Caloundra Weekly (late 1950s), Caloundra City News (1996–2010), The Local (late 1990s), The Observer (early 1990s), and Sunshine Coast Weekly – Caloundra Edition. Broader regional publications, such as The Weekly Advertiser, Sunshine Coast Advertiser, Sunshine Coast Daily, Nambour Chronicle, and My Weekly Preview, also featured Caloundra news, providing a wider lens on local life.
The editors of these publications were actively involved in the community, their editorials reflecting local interests and concerns. ‘Gumnut’, a columnist in The Observer regularly sparked lively discussions. Conservationist and “Citizen of the Century” Kathleen McArthur, along with historian Stan Tutt, were reliable contributors whose articles graced many pages over the years.
These newspapers were vital threads in the fabric of the community.
Today, as we reflect on Caloundra’s early newspapers, we honour the role they played in shaping the community’s shared identity and preserving its stories for future generations.
By historians Anne Wensley and John and Janice Groves
