Sun Gold Coast: Focused on the journey ahead

Sun Gold Coast's response to Covid-19: rise to the occasion. It's already a challenge for a community newspaper to compete with metro papers, however, Sun Gold Coast remains resilient in the face of adversity and sees the challenge as an opportunity. This resilience and vision is entirely commendable and will be their key to success during the coasts recovery phase.

Sun Gold Coast faces its biggest challenge yet, though readership of community newspapers across the state is on the rise. For Editor, Bob Anthony, this is the perfect opportunity to reflect and refocus on the next step: "It has required us to become more 'adventurous" in stories and more appreciative of contributed copy such as letters or reader pics. These and regular columns have ensured that the Sun continues to be published weekly".

The Sun faces challenges from all directions; with the paper on skeleton staff, stories are "falling flat" due to being impractical to report. Another challenge lay in the significant reduction in advertising with food, entertainment venues and real estate coming to a stand-still. All the while remaining focused on their goal of being the authoritative point of reference for local news.

To combat the immediate challenge the team are now using more shared pages, stocking readers with the latest on health, recipes, online activities, quiz pages, sport and have seen a slight increase in businesses which are providing online services or deliveries. In the future, The Sun plans on taking the lessons learnt to bounce back and re-gain community support: "The Gold Coast Sun is here for the Gold Coast community and we appreciate the support shown by readers and advertisers we have received so far".

Sun Gold Coast is inviting all businesses wishing to let the public know they are open and to advertise their services and products to get in contact. Check out the Facebook here and give a like to show your support.