The Geelong Indy is a finalist for three awards at Australia’s premier annual celebration of community newspapers.
The paper is a vying for Best Digital Publishing, Best Special Publication (Geelong Coast Kids magazine) and Best Advertising Feature (We Are Geelong 2015).
The Indy is nominated for the equal-most categories of any paper at the Community Newspapers of Australia (CAN) southern-division awards.
“We’re rapt with the recognition of our products as market leaders,” Indy managing editor Tony Galpin says.
“To be a finalist in three categories of the CNA awards is a rare feat, especially with the breadth of competition from some of the biggest newspaper groups in Australia.”
The nominations come as the Indy celebrates its 30th year of publishing in Geelong.
The paper will celebrate the anniversary in late October, with staff planning special celebrations.
Geelong businesspeople founded the paper in 1986 to break a monopoly in local newspaper advertising. The Thomas family’s Star News Group assumed part ownership in 2003 before taking full control a year later.
The Indy has since expanded to include new publications Geelong Coast (GC) magazine and Geelong Coast Kids.
Last year Star News Group demonstrated further confidence in the Geelong region when the company bought the Ocean Grove and Drysdale Voice newspapers and newsmagazine Voice on Pako.
The Indy and its sister publications are also active in digital media though associated websites and social media accounts. The range of media platforms offers readers and advertisers the region’s most extensive package of local print and digital products.
“We’re extremely proud of our growth with new publications and digital products over the past decade,” Mr Galpin says.
“The key to our success has been our strong relationship with the community. We try our hardest to provide our readers and advertisers with the best products possible and they’ve rewarded us with their loyal support.
“We look forward to the next 30 years of providing the Geelong region with truly independent local news.”
