The earliest roots of what was to become The Loxton News began with the founding of the Loxton Clarion (1925–1928).[1] Its proprietor, Jack Irving, endeavoured to produce a publication reflecting the concerns of Loxton and surrounding districts. Its articles covered crops, care of livestock, vehicle maintenance, and local sport.[2]
Thirty years later, the Loxton Community Newsletter (June 1956–March 1960),[3] published by The Loxton District War Memorial Community Centre, began publication monthly as a separate (i.e. non-Irving) publication. In April 1960, this newspaper was incorporated into the newly formed Loxton News (first issued 28 April 1960), since Irving had come out of retirement to found a new newspaper published in Loxton by J.C. Irving & Co., Ltd.[4]
In 1964 it was sold to the Murray Pioneer,[2] with publishing later relocating from its East Terrace location to premises on Riverside Avenue in Berri.[5][6] Along with The Bunyip, The Murray Pioneer, and The River News, The Loxton News was subsequently owned by the Taylor Group of Newspapers and printed in Renmark.[7]
In April 2020, however, the Taylor Group ceased publishing The Loxton News. The final issue was published on 16 April 2020.[8] Local news stories of interest to the Loxton community are now published in the Murray Pioneer.[9]
The Loxton News was published weekly, on Wednesdays, and had a circulation of 2,400 copies as at April 2018.[10] The newspaper's distribution included: Barmera, Berri, Renmark, Waikerie, Moorook, Kingston-On-Murray, and Northern Mallee towns including Alawoona, Mindarie, Karoonda, Wanbi and Wunkar.[11] Like other Taylor Group publications, the newspaper was also available online.[12]
During its run, The Loxton News won around 24 Country Press SA awards.[2] Of these awards, 15 were for the best newspaper in its circulation category (the first in 1963 and the last in 2010).[10] Other awards are for excellence in journalism, graphic design, advertising features and outstanding community involvement.[10]
Australian National Library carries images and text versions of the newspaper from 1960 accessible using Trove, the on-line newspaper retrieval service.[13]
