AS the publisher of the Hervey Bay Advertiser and the Hervey Bay Independent, I have had the privilege of being a part of this vibrant community since 2009.
Over these years, our newspapers have become a cornerstone for sharing local news, fostering community spirit, and promoting the businesses that are the lifeblood of Hervey Bay.
Today, I’m writing with a deep sense of gratitude, as well as a recognition of the responsibility we carry as a business within this community.
The devastating flooding that impacted our city in March has left its mark on so many local businesses, large and small.
It has been difficult to witness the emotional and financial toll it has taken, particularly on shop owners who have faced the dual challenge of repairing damage to their premises while trying to recover lost income.
For those businesses who rely on foot traffic, the impact was not just a temporary closure, it was a significant disruption that will take months, and in some cases even years, to fully recover from.
In my role as the Publisher, I take my responsibility to this community very seriously.
Over the years, we have worked tirelessly to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for community, charity, not-for-profit, and sporting organisations, because we believe in the power of a unified community.
We know that local businesses are the backbone of Hervey Bay, and they are the reason our community thrives.
Our newspaper business has always operated with one fundamental principle in mind: we derive our income solely from the support of local businesses.
Without the support of advertisers, we cannot continue to serve our community in the way we do.
We are deeply grateful for the resilience of our local businesses, and we have been encouraged to see many of them return to business in some capacity.
While it’s heartening to witness this recovery, we must also acknowledge the reality that for some, the road ahead is long and difficult.
Recovery does not simply mean reopening doors, it means making up for lost revenue, covering operational costs, and managing additional burdens like staff wages.
For some businesses, the financial gap created by the floodwaters is a challenging one.
The Hervey Bay Advertiser is donating a $10,000 advertising pool to assist local businesses that were impacted by the flooding.
We hope this advertising fund will help to generate additional exposure and drive new business for those who need it the most.
Our aim is to provide a platform for businesses to reconnect with their customers, and, importantly, start making up for the losses they have incurred over the past weeks.
It’s important to note that no business should ever feel embarrassed to lean on us during times like these.
If you are not a client of the Hervey Bay Advertiser, it doesn’t matter. Our assistance does not come with a caveat.
Many people in our community who work from home or rely on indirect trade have also been affected, even if the loss of revenue isn’t easily quantifiable.
For those people, their livelihoods were impacted just as deeply, and their recovery may take the form of trying to rebuild customer relationships or compensate for a loss of trade that has no clear measure.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the support and resilience of our entire community.
We are all in this together.
It is a privilege to offer this advertising pool, and we are committed to continuing to support our local businesses in whatever way we can.
Businesses can reach me directly on edit@herveybayadvertiser.com.au
