Gloucester Advocate

Townshend was from a family of journalists and newspaper printers, and had previously been involved with the setting up of newspapers in Cape Town, New Zealand, Newcastle and the Walcha Witness in Balgowlah, New South Wales, which he edited and printed for over 40 years.

This corresponded with the time that Australian Agricultural Company's 500,000 acre estate was being subdivided.

After a short time, Townshend sold the newspaper to the Rye family in October 1906.

[2] The Rye family managed the newspaper for 57 years, until they sold it to Manning River Times Pty Ltd in June 1964.

[3] In September 2024, Australian Community Media announced it will shutter the paper.