The Don Dorrigo Gazette turns 100, which is quite a milestone for the country's only remaining hot metal news-print newspaper.
Founded by brothers Reg and Herb Vincent on the heels of Dorrigo being proclaimed a village in August 1909, the paper's first home was in the main street, next to where the chemist now stands.
It moved to purpose-built premises on the present day Gazette Theatre site in 1941 and then to its current home in 1972.
Coming out every Wednesday, the paper is produced by a tight-knit team of four plus owner John English.
Oily rags are commonplace around the office, as is the smell of ink, which seems to seep up from the timber floorboards.
When it comes to venerable service, first in line is the paper's all-important Intertype type-setting machine, bought in 1953 for the small fortune of 3288 pounds, which was the equivalent of 980 acres with house at Bostobrick at the time.
A close second is Alan Smith, who joined the paper in 1958 as foreman and later became managing editor.
Mr Smith still comes in one day a week to help set the type face.
"I love the smell and the noise," he said.
"I've been working here on and off for 50 years - I never get sick of it."
Mr English said in 100 years of service, no editions have ever been missed.
"Although in World War II there were some editions printed on coloured news- print," he said.
He began his apprenticeship under Mr Smith in 1961 - later taking over as editor when Mr Smith took a break to work for Bellingen Shire Council - and bought the paper in 1975, passing the editorial reins onto his son, Michael, three years ago.
Looking to the future, a second Intertype machine was recently purchased for the newsroom and guided tours are planned.
The Don Dorrigo Gazette has a print run of 1000 and still only costs a dollar.
