Star News Group
Star News Group is a local media company based in Pakenham, Victoria. It was founded by Albert Edward Thomas in 1909 as the Berwick Shire News and Pakenham and Cranbourne Gazette. Star News Group is still owned by the Thomas family and the company is managed by Paul Thomas, a fourth generation family member. The company changed its name to Star News Group in August 2005 to reflect the growth of the company and the diversity of regions that the company covers.
The company's community newspapers have a combined circulation of more than 500,000 copies per week. The company has many specialist real estate newspapers delivered free. In addition, Star News Group produces a number of niche education titles and lifestyle magazines.
Star News Group also manages and owns 50% of the Mail News Group, a community newspaper group of five mastheads, Mountain Views Mail, Ranges Trader Mail, Upper Yarra Mail, Belgrave Ferntree Gully Mail and Mount Evelyn Mail in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. This group is based in Healesville, Victoria and also produces a quarterly tourist publication and wedding magazine.
The company owns several news titles, including the Pakenham and Berwick Gazette, Berwick News, Cranbourne News, Pakenham Officer News, Dandenong Journal, Journal News, Geelong Indy and Ocean Grove Voice, Noosa Today, Southern Free Times and Albury Wodonga News Weekly.
Star News Group in partnership with Domain own and operate six local media titles called Maribrynong Hobsons Bay Star Weekly, Brimbank Star Weekly, Melton Moorabool Star Weekly, Sunbury Macedon Ranges Star Weekly, Northern Star Weekly and Wyndham Star Weekly in Melbourne's West and North.
The company also provides education magazines through the Themes Media Education Publications arm of the organisation.
Star News Group also operates the community news focused web portal Star Community at http://starcommunity.com.au
In March 2013 Star News Group expanded into New South Wales and Queensland when they purchased four titles.
In 2014 Star News Group acquired Noosa Today and Real Estate Lifestyle.
In 2015 the company purchased the Ocean Grove Voice, Voice on Pako and Go Bellarine.