The Toowoomba Chronicle
| Company type | Daily newspaper |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media, Publishing |
| Predecessor | Darling Downs Gazette, The Chronicle |
| Founded | 1922 |
| Founder | Arthur Sidney Lyon (Darling Downs Gazette), Darius Hunt (The Chronicle) |
| Headquarters | Toowoomba , Australia |
Area served | Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley, Darling Downs, Queensland, Australia |
| Products | Newspaper (print and digital) |
| Owner | News Corp Australia (since 2016) |
| Parent | News Corp Australia Regional Media division |
| Website | thechronicle |
The Toowoomba Chronicle is a daily publication catering to the communities of Toowoomba, the Lockyer Valley, and the Darling Downs areas in Queensland, Australia.
Since 2016, it has been under the ownership of News Corp Australia and operates within their Regional Media division.
In 2008, verified circulation figures indicated an average distribution of 22,808 copies on weekdays and 30,270 copies on Saturdays.
History
Originating as the Darling Downs Gazette, established by Arthur Sidney Lyon in Drayton on 10 June 1858, the paper later relocated to Toowoomba and combined with The Chronicle in 1922. The Chronicle itself was launched by Darius Hunt as a weekly edition on 4 July 1861. Ownership passed solely to William Henry Groom on 4 February 1876, initiating nearly five decades of family stewardship.
Among its editors was Archibald Meston.
In 1922, the Dunn family took control of the Gazette and consolidated it with The Chronicle, producing the Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs Gazette from 2 October 1922 onward. The newspaper transitioned from broadsheet to tabloid format on 20 October 1969. On 1 October 1970, a merger with the Downs Star occurred under Toowoomba Newspapers Pty Ltd. The paper was rebranded as Toowoomba's Mail in September 2003.
Australian Provincial Newspapers Ltd (APN) purchased a half stake in Toowoomba Newspapers in 1988.
Encores owner named in alleged sex scandal
The Toowoomba Chronicle covered allegations against a former teacher at Toowoomba Grammar School and businesswoman accused of maintaining an inappropriate relationship with a student that allegedly began when he was thirteen years old. While she denied these accusations, she faced a legal claim exceeding $1 million, supported by private notes submitted as evidence in court.
AFP corruption scandal
The publication reported extensively on a significant corruption case within the Australian Federal Police involving the termination of two senior officers due to misuse of AFP credit cards for personal expenses including televisions and gaming consoles. Additional reports detailed improper use of police vehicles and noted that over the past two years, 39 AFP personnel have been suspended and 22 dismissed.
Buried Treasure
In 2018, The Toowoomba Chronicle revealed the discovery of more than 5,600 coins at a construction site. These coins were connected to a family who had fled Germany because of religious persecution and had buried their valuables for protection. This find ranks among Queensland’s most important cultural heritage discoveries, with legal disputes regarding ownership still ongoing.
Eleven Year Flood Anniversary
On 10 January 2011, The Toowoomba Chronicle commemorated what it described as an "unforgettable date" for locals by reflecting on the profound effects of the Queensland floods that year. This coverage was featured in a dedicated tabloid edition.
Historical Archives
Established in 1922, the archives of The Toowoomba Chronicle provide a rich record of the city’s history. Collections include over 1.5 million photographic negatives spanning from 1953 to 2002 and approximately 37,000 newspaper issues dating between 1861 and 2009. These materials are housed at the University of Southern Queensland and are accessible through the Regional Council Local History Library.
Moreover, through collaboration between the National Library of Australia and the State Library of Queensland, Trove has digitised more than sixteen years’ worth of The Chronicle’s publications, preserving editions from 1861 to 1902.
These archives document significant historical moments such as the Great Depression Camp for unemployed men, featuring a 1931 image showing a tent donated by the Toowoomba Girl Guides alongside detailed camp locations recorded within The Chronicle’s coverage.
Exhibitions Celebrating History
In honor of its 150th year, The Chronicle organized the exhibition “Toowoomba Through The Chronicle Lens” at the Cobb+Co Museum. This showcase presented award-winning photographs captured by The Chronicle’s team, notably featuring Nev Madsen, a Walkley Award recipient, whose image of flood rescue efforts also secured the Best Community and Regional Photography accolade.
Additional notable contributions included works by Dave Noonan, Bev Lacey, and Kevin Farmer. Their photographs portrayed striking local moments such as an elephant race, a man tending to an ill horse, and a vehicular accident involving a caravan—highlighting The Chronicle’s dedication to documenting regional life.
Distribution and Circulation
The Toowoomba Chronicle is accessible in print as well as through desktop, mobile, and digital platforms. Subscribers have the option to select from three subscription plans: Full Digital Access, Weekend Paper Delivery, or 7-Day Paper Delivery, with payments processed on a weekly basis.
Presence on Social Media
The Chronicle’s Facebook page reaches a wide audience; for instance, in 2020, a post concerning Prince Charles and Camilla garnered exposure to 1.4 million users, receiving 900 reactions and more than 1,100 comments.
On Instagram, the @twbachronicle account emphasizes community news and frequently posts "top stories" for prompt updates. Popular content often includes coverage of school formals and social awareness campaigns like R U OK? Day. The account has amassed approximately 4,531 followers.
Introduction of Mobile Application
Debuting on 20 August 2015, The Toowoomba Chronicle app delivers news in a format similar to its website. APN Newspapers describes this app as a means to “bring all the news that matters in your community” directly to users’ mobile devices.
Website Redesign Launch
In October 2020, The Toowoomba Chronicle unveiled a revamped website aimed at providing users with a “faster, cleaner and more enhanced experience.” Enhancements included a prominently placed navigation bar focusing on local news, dropdown menus covering diverse topics, and straightforward access to the daily edition for subscribers. This redesign was informed by “extensive research” coupled with feedback from subscribers nationwide.
Current Staff
| Name | Position |
| Morgan Burley | Reporter |
| John Heeney | Photographer |
| Jason Gibbs | Sports Editor |
| Tom Gillespie | Journalist |
| Peter Hardwick | Court Reporter |
| Meghan Harris | Digital Producer |
| Susan Hartland | Designer |
| Will Hunter | Deputy Editor |
| Neville Madsen | Photographer |
| Kate McCormack | Journalist |
| Rhylea Millar | Journalist |
| Michael Nolan | Crime Reporter |
| Jarrad Potter | Journalist |
| Sean Teuma | Sports Reporter |
Former Prominent Contributors
| Name | Position |
| Steve Elwell | Editor for four decades |
Digitisation Efforts
The newspaper has undergone digitisation through the Australian Newspapers Digitisation Program facilitated by the National Library of Australia.