About Us

The Border Watch newspaper began in 1861 and was started by Janet Laurie and her two teenage sons, Andrew, 17, and James 15 and when it was first published on April 26, 1861 Janet Laurie became the founder, first owner, manager and editor.

She had been editor of the Portland Herald since 1854 and perhaps was the first female editor in Australian newspaper history. When she became manager of The Border Watch it is likely she was the first female newspaper manager in Australia.

EARLY YEARS: This is a reproduction of the earliest known photograph of The Border Watch premises. It was taken in 1869 – two years after the paper moved its office to Commercial Street East, next to Fidler and Webb. One of Fidler’s windows is visible on the right.

In 1863 John Watson joined the business as editor and he occupied the editor’s chair for a world record 62 years and from 1863 the newspaper ran under the banner of Laurie and Watson Proprietors.

Through the generations the two families ran the newspaper until 1977 when it was sold to Allan Scott, AO through his television company South East Telecasters.

In 1978 The Border Watch purchased the Penola Pennant and in 2007 bought the South Eastern Times and Millicent Print which operated from offices in Millicent.

PRINT HISTORY: The Columbian Press which printed the first The Border Watch newspaper and today is still in working condition and on display in the Allan Scott AO Room in the past Commercial Street East office.

The Border Watch began as a once-a-week publication published every Friday and returned to publishing weekly each Friday in October 2020.

The Border Watch newspaper attracts readership throughout the Limestone Coast and into the Western District of Victoria.

TBW has been active member of Country Press SA for more than a century and won the top regional newspaper award in 2004, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Most recently The Border Watch attracted new owners in a partnership of independent publishing proprietors from South Australia and Victoria. The new business, TBW Today Pty Ltd is 100% committed to backing the local team of journalists and media consultants.