Narrogin Newsagency owner and main Observer distributor speaks on paper’s local impact and 120th birthday

The owner of the Narrogin Observer’s main in-store distributor said the now-120-year-old newspaper has published many stories that have shaped the town in recent years.

Moving from Newdegate to Narrogin three years ago, the owner of Narrogin Newsagency Claire Harley said it was important for the town to have its own news that focuses on Wheatbelt voices.

She said human interest stories have always been significant.

“When there’s articles about the town or families, you can see it brings people together and they get a bit more excited,” Ms Harley said.

“If it’s something to do with a family, you’ll get people coming and buying five copies for everyone.

“I’ve sent Observers to Perth for people that have rung up and said ‘can I have a few copies’ because it’s got a family article in it.

“And people that travel through will buy it just to learn a bit more about the town.

“So it does have its place.”

Ms Harley said customers gravitate to stories discussing buildings and new shops in town to get insights into the town’s future.

She said the article on the now-desolate Hordern Hotel drew great interest as the community hope to see the historic pub thrive again.

Ms Harley said it would be a “huge tragedy” if the Observer were ever to fold, considering its long history and community impact.

She said the older generation love to read about their families, sport clubs and community achievements featured in the Observer, and she hoped that in decades to come, future generations would be able to get their news that way too.