THE Whitsundays' two newspapers now have the same owner.

The Whitsunday Coast Guardian has joined the Whitsunday Times under the ownership of ADHOC, in which APN Australian Regional Media is the major shareholder.

The Guardian is a weekly publication that has been serving the Proserpine district and surrounding areas for 110 years - and it will continue to be published weekly under the new owners from next week. Managing Editor of the Whitsunday Times, Leanne Abernethy, said she was excited by the new challenge and believed staff of both papers could work together to produce two very strong local newspapers for our region. The company has bought the paper from Peter and Cynthia Lewis.

Peter Lewis started at the paper as a hand and machine compositor in 1961 - working for his father Bernie.

Peter and his wife Cynthia bought a share of the business in 1972.

The company has bought the newspaper only. Peter and Cynthia will continue to operate their commercial printing business from their premises in Chapman Street, Proserpine.

Three Guardian staff - Sarah Storck (advertising), Matthew Newton (journalist) and Josh Dutton (journalist) will continue their employment with the Guardian - and a new office will be established in Proserpine in the coming weeks.

Peter Lewis said he was sure the two papers would continue to serve both communities well.

He wished the staff of the Guardian and the Whitsunday Times the very best as they joined to form one team and took on this new venture.

APN is the leading publisher in the Queensland region, owning 12 daily papers, more than 50 community papers and associated websites. It has more than 370 journalists on the ground and Editorial Director Bryce Johns said the purchase of the Guardian was ''another show of our commitment to regional Queensland.

GUARDIAN CONTACTS

Josh Dutton - Journalist

Phone: 0434 982 163

Matthew Newton - Journalist

Phone: 0402 292 033

Sarah Storck - Advertising

Phone: 0400 880 757