Fraser Coast Chronicle
| Company type | Digital news outlet |
|---|---|
| Industry | News media |
| Predecessor | Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser |
| Founded | November 1860 |
| Founder | Charles Hardie Buzacott |
| Headquarters | Hervey Bay , Australia |
Area served | Fraser Coast region, Queensland, Australia |
| Owner | News Corp Australia |
| Website | frasercoastchronicle |
The Fraser Coast Chronicle is a digital news outlet catering to the Fraser Coast region in Queensland, Australia. Its origins trace back to the Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser.
History
In November 1860, Charles Hardie Buzacott founded the Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser in Maryborough. Initially issued as a four-page tabloid priced at sixpence, it served a wide area extending from Gayndah to Gympie.
Ownership changed hands in 1863 when Buzacott sold the publication to Joseph Robinson and William Swain Roberts, who intended to advocate for local community interests while sharing their perspectives. The publication frequency increased progressively: twice weekly by 1864, three times weekly by 1868, and daily by 1882.
By 1867, Roberts had become the sole owner. In 1885, Andrew Dunn from Toowoomba joined the enterprise, initiating a lasting family connection with the newspaper. Despite obstacles such as the 1893 Brisbane flood, the paper continued its circulation. Growth in readership enabled price reductions to twopence in 1901 and further to one penny by 1903.
The title was abbreviated to Maryborough Chronicle on 25 April 1947. After multiple relocations, it settled on Bazaar Street in 1957, maintaining a branch office in Hervey Bay. The publication format transitioned from broadsheet to tabloid in 1966, and printing technology advanced to offset printing in 1977.
In 2005, the main office relocated from Maryborough to Hervey Bay. The print version was discontinued in June 2020 as part of News Corp Australia's shift towards digital-only regional newspapers, resulting in the closure of the Hervey Bay office.
Current status
Presently, the Fraser Coast Chronicle functions as an online publication within News Corp Australia's News Regional Media network.
Digitisation
The Maryborough Chronicle has been digitised through the Australian Newspapers Digitisation Program managed by the National Library of Australia.