Over 100 years of history has come to an end today, Friday 13th March 2020, when the Beaudesert Times printing operations officially ceased and newspaper staff will soon move to the Jimboomba Times office.
The Beaudesert Times, based in Short Street, Beaudesert once had a thriving printing operation specialising in magazines, flyers, posters and business stationery. All printing contracts will be moved to other printing facilities around the country.
A spokesperson for Beaudesert Times said the newspaper’s advertising sales and editorial staff will be retained and the Beaudesert Times newspaper will continue to publish as a weekly newspaper.
“Some of the staff will relocate to the Jimboomba Times office and some may work from home,” he said, “This will not affect the operation of the Beaudesert Times newspaper.”
It is estimated up to 15 people have lost their jobs – including some older employees who commenced working for the company in their teens and are now in their fifties.
The first edition of the Beaudesert Times was published in 1908. Originally the newspaper and publisher was based in William Street, Beaudesert and owned by a private family. An associated publication, the Jimboomba Times, was launched in 1991.
The Beaudesert Times moved to the current Short Street location in 2004.
The business was sold in 2012 to the former Fairfax Media, and more recently to Australian Community Media.