A new initiative aimed at supporting local journalism and strengthening connections with readers has been launched by Scenic Rim Media, the company that owns Tamborine Mountain News, Canungra Times and Beaudesert Bulletin.
Scenic Conversations was officially launched on August 19 with an event at the Logan and Albert Hotel in Beaudesert, featuring ABC Landline presenter Pip Courtney in conversation with Beaudesert Bulletin editor Susie Cunningham.
Scenic Rim Media director Keer Moriarty said it was the first of several events that supporters were invited to.
People can make a one-off or monthly contribution from $5, with supporters receiving priority access and discounted tickets to Scenic Conversations events.
Ms Moriarty said the concept had been under consideration for some time, but changes to Scenic Rim Regional Council’s advertising expenditure provided the catalyst.
“We have had the ability for people to contribute financially to our papers for several years, but hadn’t pushed it,” she said.
“When the Council advertising budget was slashed in December 2025, it prompted us to look at other avenues for revenue.”
Ms Moriarty said she hoped the initiative would provide additional funding to invest in local journalism while creating more opportunities to engage directly with readers.
“Scenic Conversations fills a gap in terms of face-to-face connection with readers and community members as well as a vehicle to bring some great speakers to the region,” she said.
Planned events range from guest speaker appearances to informal coffee with the editor gatherings.
Pip Courtney, who has worked with ABC’s Landline since 1993 and hosted the program since 2012, was selected to launch the initiative due to her longstanding connection with rural and regional journalism.
Ms Courtney mentored Mrs Cunningham as a young journalist, with Ms Moriarty saying her experience, support for regional journalism and friendship with Susie made her a fitting inaugural guest.
“I’m a fan and meeting someone you look up to like that was a bit overwhelming,” she said.
“In terms of her speaking at the event, she is so well known and attracted people from a range of backgrounds to hear her speak. We were also fortunate to have Pip and cameraman Curtis Rodda doing a story on our papers for Landline. Seeing her working on the story was a great opportunity and I learned a lot from her in those few days.”
Ms Moriarty said she hoped Scenic Conversations would develop into a community united by its support for local news.
“We would like to continue with events that attract speakers with a variety of backgrounds, I have a few in mind already,” she said.
“I’m also hoping that the philanthropic aspect of Scenic Conversations will allow us to grow our team of journalists so we can better serve our communities with quality local news.”
“In recent years Tamborine Mountain has gone from having two local papers to only one, so I think the people of the mountain are aware of the impact that the current economic climate can have on local newspapers and therefore the impact on their community’s ability to have a voice.”
To join the supporters of Tamborine Mountain News visit tmnews.com.au/support.
To see photos from the event, visit https://tamborinemountainnews.pixieset.com/tamborinemountainnews2026-1/edition1747august272026/.
