The Western Echo

15/01/2026

Business Shoutout: Wenatex

Wenatex is committed to offering customers the best possible sleeping experience through their Wenatex Sleep System and quality products. Whether you’re looking for pillows, quilts, fitted sheets, or mattress protectors, their comprehensive range is designed to support healthy sleep.

For further information or to discover their range of products, visit them in-store at 237 Waterworks Road, Ashgrove; or online at www.wenatex.com.au

13/01/2026

Cool off this summer with a visit to Taylor Range Country Club!

With plenty to offer - including three pool areas, tennis courts, squash courts, BBQ and playground areas, and of course, icecream, it makes for a lovely place to spend the day.

Contact the club to look into membership options available. Call: 07 33661560 or get further details at: www.taylorrangeclub.com.au

13/01/2026

Business Shoutout - The Gap Day & Night Pharmacy

Open 7 days a week, The Gap Day & Night Pharmacy has all your pharmaceutical needs covered. They pride themselves on knowing our community and providing friendly, caring, and attentive service. They also work closely with local healthcare providers to ensure a cohesive solution to help you achieve the best possible health outcomes.

Located at 974 Waterworks Road, The Gap. For more information visit: www.thegappharmacy.com.au
The Gap Day & Night Pharmacy

11/01/2026

Last day to submit your February edition editorial content and ads!

Please send everything to Melanie: [email protected]

31/12/2025

Happy New Year! Thank you for a great 2025 and best wishes for 2026!!
- Mel & Kym

28/12/2025

Hello all! Reminder that the deadline to book your February edition ad or send your editorial submission to us is the 12th of January.

For all ad and editorial bookings or inquiries, please reach out to Melanie. You can contact her via email at [email protected] or call 0409 440 501.

Thank you from Mel & Kym!! 😊

26/12/2025

Where Am I? 🔍

Recognise this place? Enter our monthly photo quiz - with images courtesy of Colin Bushell Photography. Winners get bragging rights and names published in the next e-newsletter of The Western Echo!

Please submit your answer by 31 January.
https://westernecho.com.au/photo-quiz/

November Quiz:
Location Answer - Christ Church, Milton
Winner - John C!

24/12/2025

Merry Christmas! We wish everyone a very happy festive season and all the best for the upcoming year 😊🎄

22/12/2025

Wildlife in The Gap - Thank you to local wildlife photographer Karen Palmer for her stunning photos of a Pale Green Triangle Butterfly (Graphium eurypylus) feeding on Hill Myrtle (Sannantha collina).

We welcome anyone who has a great wildlife photo taken in the Western suburbs to send us your photo/s. We would love to feature wildlife images in The Western Echo on a regular basis 😊

22/12/2025

St Mark's The Gap Anglican Church is holding services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! 🎄

Christmas Eve Family Service - Wednesday 24 December, 6.00pm
Christmas Day Holy Communion - Thursday 25 December, 8.30am

Located at the corner of Waterworks Rd and Kullaroo St, The Gap.
For more information visit: https://stmarksthegap.org.au/

21/12/2025

Col's Chat - John Passfield

From the moment I sit down with John, there’s a problem.

The problem is – as it turns out – that we both grew up in the 1970s, with the same comic books, science fiction novels, Star Wars et al. There’s so much to chat about and it seems a real risk that this chat is never going to get to any sort of point.

When we do eventually get to the point, I realise that while John may not be a household name, if you have any connection with homegrown gaming over the last thirty years, it is most likely that he has been responsible for much of your enjoyment.

Keep reading on the blog: https://westernecho.com.au/cols-chat-locals-through-my-lens-john-passfield/

16/12/2025

Independent publishers survey - The Western Echo is proud to be a member of LINA - Local & Independent News Association - who offer a range of much-appreciated services for our industry…

A new national survey of Australian independent news publishers has revealed a sector defined simultaneously by deep structural challenges and strong signs of growth, innovation and resilience.

LINA surveyed 77 member publishers that collectively operate 139 news services. One third (34%) of publishers identified their news organisation’s future as being uncertain or at-risk. However, key indicators of sustainability, including median revenue and average number of employed staff, increased in 2025 compared to previous years.

Artificial intelligence is already reshaping newsroom operations, but survey findings indicated some hesitation from publishers, with significant risks to publishers, and existential threats to the industry overall, anticipated or already emerging due to AI. Half of publishers (51%) reported that their news organisations had adopted AI to drive efficiencies.

See the free report for more findings on AI uses, top sources of revenue, and more (link in comments).