The Coonabarabran Times website has undergone a face- lift, featuring a responsive and highly visual layout to appeal to readers.

Officially launched this week, the project has been six months in the making.

It was made possible through successful applications to both the Regional and Publishers Innovation Fund and Google’s Journalism Emergency Relief Fund.

Experienced Tamworth creative agency, Keo, was tasked to develop the re- branded website.

Coonabarabran Times director, Lynne Estens said now, more than ever, the humble local paper was important for regional communities.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Times endeavoured to keep our communities informed on all local issues - what was happening in their backyard.

“It was by no means easy because, like most small businesses, we felt the full impact of the resulting lockdown,” Mrs Estens said.

“Advertising is what keeps newspapers viable, and when the full force of the pandemic lockdown hit, many of our long- term clients were forced to withdraw their advertising.

“Added to that, there were few events to report on - sport had been cancelled, along with meetings, social events etc.

“Even our printers in Tamworth closed their doors, forcing us to outsource the printing of our weekly edition to Sydney!

“But we made the decision to keep printing, to keep our readers informed on what was happening locally.”

The Times, along with proudly independent publishers such as Narrabri, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Manilla, Bingara and Warialda forged ahead through the pandemic, while many other regional newspapers, including the North West Magazine, found closed production.

Coonabarabran Times staff have been working hard behind the scenes to update technology to help build its digital presence and introduce an exciting new project. In the coming months, the team will be putting their video camera to good use, filming a series of profile interviews with local people that will be uploaded to the new website.

“We are excited to commence our video interviews with local characters - there are so many wonderful stories waiting to be told and this is a great medium,” Mrs Estens said.

“The interviews will capture the spirit of our communities and once uploaded to our website will provide documentation of our district history.

“So, visit our new contemporary and stylish website, which features news items, options to place advertising, purchase digital subscriptions and showcases our professional graphic design and print service.”

Check out the new website and let us know what you think: www.coonabarabrantimes.com