Lynda and Bill Tomlinson of Walliston have been delivering the Kalamunda Reporter for nearly 30 years. They started in April 1991. Photo: David Baylis
Camera IconLynda and Bill Tomlinson of Walliston have been delivering the Kalamunda Reporter for nearly 30 years. They started in April 1991. Photo: David Baylis Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Last delivery marks end of an era for Midland-Kalamunda Reporter

Sarah BrookesMidland Kalamunda Reporter

FOR three decades, rain, hail or shine, the Tomlinson family has delivered hundreds of copies of the Midland-Kalamunda Reporter to letterboxes in Kalamunda and Gooseberry Hill.

Bill Tomlinson said his three boys Michael, Daniel and Kim took on the paper round on Tuesday, April 2, in 1991 when Kalamunda was still a sleepy village.

“Within three weeks our boys were delivering the paper on four routes in the area,” he said.

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“Many people welcomed the paper and would ask for extra copies when they saw a familiar face or relevant story. Unfortunately the cost of repairing the bikes due to the heavy loads carried almost equalled the pocket money earned.”

Mr Tomlinson said he and his wife Lynda had seen many changes in the area while delivering the community newspaper.

“Over the years dozens of businesses have come and gone, older houses have been demolished to make way for townhouses and slab buildings have arrived. There has been a massive increase in visitors for weekend markets and other events,” he said.

Mr Tomlinson said the closure of the Midland-Kalamunda Reporter would change his family’s life forever.

“Like the candle factory, the printed copy will disappear into history forever,” he said.

“The digital age has arrived and the closure of the paper is truly an end of an era.”