This edition of The Friendly Bay Islander marks a significant milestone — the 15th year of the magazine’s existence. It was in October 2011 that the very first issue came into being. The motivation back then was to give the islands a publication they could be justifiably proud of.
At that time, the islands were not always held in high regard. They were often belittled and degraded by some, with little outside motivation or support. Low rental prices and property values attracted people who did not always contribute positively to the community. With limited policing, the situation was sometimes grim.
The appearance of a full glossy magazine was a turning point. Its positive image and strong editorial direction helped transform perceptions of the islands and encouraged pride within the community. Starting at just 16 pages, the magazine quickly grew to over 40 pages. Within a year or so, it had reached the substantial totals it maintains today — usually between 76 and 80 pages per month, with a record of 84 pages.
Such growth would not have been possible without the extraordinary support of advertisers and the wider community across all six islands. Few communities anywhere in Australia — or even the world — could match the level of involvement shown here. Islanders have embraced The Friendly Bay Islander so wholeheartedly that it is often affectionately referred to as “The Bible of the Islands.”
From the beginning, the magazine has been produced by the Thompson family. Gerard Thompson has served as Managing Editor and Publisher throughout its history, while his daughter, Elissa Thompson, has designed and produced the magazine using her outstanding graphic design skills. The Thompsons are among the few independent family publishers to continue producing media for more than 50 years, beginning with the Port Macquarie Express on the Mid North Coast of NSW, which they ran for 35 years. Gerard himself has been an active journalist for 62 years.
It is no surprise that a “changing of the guard” is now taking place. Elissa Thompson is stepping into the role of Editor, continuing her sterling work — with some exciting new initiatives to come. Today’s technology makes the task easier than in Gerard’s early days, when papers were produced using lead type and lead imaging back in 1964.
So it is onward and upward. We wish Elissa all the very best as she leads The Friendly Bay Islander into its next chapter. The future looks bright, and there is no doubt that this much-loved publication will continue to grow, adapt, and inspire for many years to come.
Definitely onwards and upwards with your Friendly Bay Islander!
