YOUR local Loddon Herald is expected to have a sister masthead in its newspaper stable following the finalisation of negotiations to purchase the North Central News.
Muso’s Media Pty Ltd, owners of the Loddon Herald, last week completed negotiations with Peter and Amanda Marland who are preparing to retire at the end of June.
Managing editor of the Loddon Herald, Chris Earl said the North Central News would continue as a separate newspaper published every Wednesday from the first edition in July
“I am committed to continuing the proud traditions of newspapers in St Arnaud and Charlton that have mirrored their communities for more than 150 years,” Chris said.
“Peter and Amanda are to be applauded for their stewardship of the North Central News through challenging times for the newspaper industry. 
“We look forward to investing in public interest local journalism that mirrors the communities of St Arnaud and Charlton and districts and share the local stories in the stand-alone local North Central News every week and online.
“I am pleased that Peter will play a part in the transition to new ownership and an exciting new era for the North Central News.”
The Marlands have owned the North Central News, incorporating The St Arnaud Mercury and The Charlton Tribune that have chronicled the district’s news and events since 1864, for the past 15 years.
Peter has been part of the newspaper scene in St Arnaud since beginning his hand and machine compositor apprenticeship with The St Arnaud Mercury in 1977.
“The North Central News and its predecessor newspaper have always had local communities at their heart, connecting local people and communities each week with their local stories,” Peter said.
“As retirement from the newspaper approached in recent months, we had initial informal discussions with the Loddon Herald as we believe this is a newspaper that shares the values of community and connection that are essential in local country newspapers and we are delighted to have successfully concluded those talks last week.”
The Loddon Herald was first published in 2021 after the only newspaper the Loddon Shire ceased at the start of COVID. The Loddon Herald has since been recognised with multiple awards for journalism, photography, online news and advertising by the Victorian Country Press Association and the Rural Press Club of Victoria, including being named Victoria’s media outlet of the year. Last year, the Loddon Herald launched the quarterly tourism magazine Loddon Way.