When Leader Newspapers ceased print production of The Free Press in the Dandenongs in 2016, Local Media Pty Ltd quickly commenced publication of The New Free Press in the following week (July 7, 2016).

The commencement of The New Free Press was done with the blessing of News Corp., owners of the Leader group, which continued an online presence under the Free Press Leader title.

These days, Local Media’s presence in the area is with the Knox-Sherbrooke News edition of The Local Paper.

Ash Long, Managing Director of Local Media Pty Ltd, was keen to honour the 70-year tradition of The Free Press, which had started in 1946 under the proprietorship of John and Eleanor (‘Nell’) Bennett, who had been publishing the Ferntree Gully News, which was established on May 26, 1923.Long had been Manager of the Knox and Mountain District Free Press, from November 1978, shortly after it had been taken over by Leader Associated Newspapers (trading locally as Maroondah Associated Newspapers), after a protracted war with Rupert Murdoch’s Cumberland Newspapers division.

In 1979, the Free Press team based at the Belgrave office included Long (manager), Kevin Pearman (editor), Margo Coward and Peter Nielsen (news) [later Robyn Gunn], Pam Stuart and Jill-Anne Jordan (advertising). Other team membes, located elsewhere, included Pat O’Donnell (photographer), Tony Kneebone (sports),John Jones and John Shaw (real estate advertising), Alan Houldcroft (motoring). Reception was handled by Kaylene Sibbald (later Bowen). Cadets Leigh Jellett, Trevor Streader and Craig Wilkins were also seconded to the team at times. Despite being a thorn in the side of the Shire of Sherbrooke, The Free Press was official newspaper for the municipality, with the audited circulation being 32,962 copies.

At that time, The Free Press was housed in temporary premises in the First Floor of the Morson Court Building, at the corner of Terrys Ave and Main Rd, while builder Ilya Kostezsky refurbished the traditional home of 30 years at 596 Main Rd (Burwood Hwy).

Keen to re-launch The Free Press which has been publishing 24-page issues, Long developed the idea of a special 76-page ‘100 Years of Local press’ nostalgia edition of the newspaper (April 12, 1979). A tenuous century-long link was created with re-telling the stories of regional newspapers including the Dandenong Advertiser (Sworda Brothers), the Oakleigh and Fern Tree Gully Times, and the Fern Tree Gully News. Scoresby residents were keen to break away from the Berwick Shire, and this was one of the ongoing stories of the early days. The Dandenong Journal joined in the coverage, and competition between the proprietors was fierce.”

The Fern Tree Gully Times was incorporated in the Croydon, Ringwood and Mountain District Post from June 1956.

Shortly after World War I. the first issue exclusively for the Mountain District appeared – The Mountain Tourist. The publisher, Arthur W. Made, as Belgrave chemist, sold copies off the platform of the Belgrave railway station. William Tennant Buchanan was the editor, and he would quickly set himself up as the watchdog of council affairs.

After arguing about editorial policy, Madge and Buchanan parted company, and soon after The Tourist folded. The Mountaineer, an exciting no-punches-pulled publication replaced it. Editorial policy was firm: “For the cause that lacks assistance, ‘gainst the cause that needs resistance, for the future in the distance – and the good that we can do.” William Buchanan was managing director.

Throughout late 1920, The Mountaineer, in line with America’s prohibition of alcohol, campaigned rigouroulsy for the cancellatyon of public house liquor licences. Buchanan organised a mammoth publicity stunt with the exhibition of two tons of locally grown berries, to promote tourism to the area. An advertisement in an issue in December 1920, invited people to watch the building of a Belgrave Roman Catholic church in one day. “Can 100,000 feet be nailed on in one day?” the publicity queried.

The Mountaineer closed about 1923, as suddenly as it started. It was followed by The Pilot, published by another local man, Mr L.D. Bear. Ralph Hodges, proprietor of The Box Hill Reporter took over The Pilot in May 1923, and renamed it The Fern Tree Gully News. In 1924, Mr A.C. Ostram took over The News and faithfully reported the Shire’s news in the weekly papper4 for more than 12 years. Ownership changed again in 1936 iwth Mr N.W. Gill taking over.

Soon after World War II, Mr John Bennett of Upwey began The Free Press. It soon absored The Fern Tree Gully News and earned as reputation as a paper which said what it thought.

Other local papers have included The Fern Tree Gully and District Times,  Eastern Ranges Echo and Knox Gazette. All – including the sister Knox-Sherbrooke News – were incorporated into the Leader network.

In  the special ‘100 Years’ supplement in 1979, Nell Bennett recalled the early days, with a description of her husband John, as man of vision: “He looked toward the future- for the improvement of facilities. for the whole community.” She listed him as founder, editor, chief typesetter and head salesman. John Bennett died in 1969 after a long illness. Mrs Bennett kept the business going, but explained the sale of the newspaper in  afront6-page announcement: “Friends have been urging us to stop working so hard – or what happened to John Bennett will happen to us.”

The Knox News was first published on April 19, 1967, It traces its origins to a local Knox Sererance Association newsletter. In 1970, the Knox News was under the proprietorship of Patrick Hegarty, Neville Hoare and Judith Norton. Leader bought the Knox newspaper business in 1972, soon expanding it to become the Knox-Sherbooke News