[1] At the time of its first publication, the South Western Advertiser was circulated in the south-western area between Armadale and Brunswick, and was the only newspaper published between Perth and Bunbury.
[2][3] Richard Sampson launched the South Western Advertiser,[3] and many other local publications in the early 20th century.
There was some concern about one individual owning a significant portion of the country's rural media, but The Swan Express remarked "Mr Sampson is at least entitled to the credit that he has given to several neglected districts a channel for the expression of their grievances.
"[4] The newspaper sponsored a shooting competition in 1935 and 1936, offering a trophy to the winner.
The 1935 competition was held on 17 March 1935 with a C Dawe winning.