The Lanyon family has signed an agreement to sell their newspaper interests to SA Today, with the transfer of ownership of the Sunraysia Daily (Mildura), The Guardian (Swan Hill), Gannawarra Times (Kerang), Broken Hill Times, and North West Farmer to be completed on September 1, 2025.
This marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in Australian regional publishing. For more than a century, the Sunraysia Daily has served its community, and for much of that time, it has been shaped by the Lanyon family across four generations.
The family’s connection began with James Lanyon in 1920, followed closely by his son Charles Dudley (CD) Lanyon, who became proprietor and led the group’s expansion across Victoria and interstate in all facets of media including newspapers, radio and television. CD’s son, William Russell (Bill) Lanyon, continued the legacy, serving as executive chairman until his passing in 2013. In more recent decades, Bill’s sons Ross and Jamie Lanyon have guided the business with a steadfast commitment to local journalism and community service.
“We’ve always seen ourselves as custodians, not just owners,” said Ross Lanyon. “This decision ensures these newspapers will continue to serve their communities with purpose and integrity. We believe SA Today shares those values.”
SA Today is an independent regional publishing company owned by entities associated with Paul Thomas and Damian Morgan. Paul Thomas is Managing Director of Star News Group and the fourth generation of a family business in local media, which currently publishes 59 newspaper titles across Australia. Damian Morgan, a media strategist and adviser, is also a co-owner of Today News Group’s Queensland operations.
“The Lanyon’s have built something special,” said Paul Thomas. “This is about honouring their legacy and strengthening the future. We’re grateful for the trust Ross, Jamie and the family have placed in us.”
“We believe in the value of public interest journalism – not just in the capital cities, but in the places where it’s most under threat. These are communities that need a strong local voice and deserve professional, well-resourced reporting on the issues that affect them.”
This acquisition builds on SA Today’s recent momentum, including the purchase of the Hamilton Spectator and Portland Observer in Victoria, the launch of The Centralian Today in Alice Springs, and the revitalisation of historic titles such as The Bunyip (Gawler and District) and The Border Watch (Mt Gambier and District) in South Australia.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ross Lanyon – rwl@engmedia.com.au
Paul Thomas – paul@starnewsgroup.com.au
