INDEPENDENT magazine group HAWKESBURY • HILLS • BLACKTOWN
INDEPENDENT magazine group HAWKESBURY • HILLS • BLACKTOWN
Julie Ryan 0421 574 093 OWNER / EDITOR / PUBLISHER info @ hdinews. com. au PO Box 16 WINDSOR NSW 2756
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
SUB EDITOR
SENIOR JOURNALIST
JOURNALIST
FREELANCE WRITER
SPORTS WRITER
CONTRIBUTORS
SOCIAL MEDIA
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Natalie Reed 0411 030 474 Natwest Creative Designs www. natwestcreativedesigns. com. au
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Lorraine Clifford 0488 025 533 lorraine @ hdinews. com. au
Greg Martin 0420 655 524 greg @ hdinews. com. au
Maryann Callaghan 0427 442 452 maryann @ hdinews. com. au
Lorna Gordon 0402 596 244 lorna @ hdinews. com. au
Matt Austin 0425 304 006 duckman @ hdinews. com. au
Lachlan Turner John Macdonald
Haley De Martin 0408 634 583 haley @ hdinews. com. au
Kathryn Johnston 0422 404 366 kath @ hdinews. com. au
Myee Lallyette 0413 305 578 myee @ hdinews. com. au
David Burnet 0412 448 883 david @ hdinews. com. au
Disclaimer: The comments of columnists and contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the Independent magazine group. The Independent nor any person acting on their behalf, may be held responsible for the use to which the information contained in this publication may be put, or for any errors which, despite careful preparation and checking, may appear.
LOCAL LIFE
A note to our advertisers and readers- a small change with a big purpose
To all our valued advertisers and loyal readers,
You may notice a slight change in this month’ s edition of The Independent. We’ ve transitioned from our usual glossy stock back to a high-grade white paper. This decision hasn’ t come lightly, but it’ s one we’ ve made with the future of our publication- and the community we serve- in mind.
The cost of producing a magazine, newspaper or even a simple flyer has increased by approximately 40 % compared to just two years ago. To continue doing what we do best- delivering local news to more homes and businesses than any other publication in the region- we’ ve had to adapt.
Switching to a more cost-effective paper stock is a practical step that allows us to continue printing at the same scale, support our team of local staff, and keep our commitment to providing you with quality local news each month. It’ s a decision made not out of defeat, but determination- to keep going strong without compromising the heart of what we do. Unlike some other publications, we won’ t ask our readers for donations to keep us afloat. This is a business, and I’ ve always believed it’ s my responsibility- not yours- to ensure it survives. We’ ll continue to stand on our own two feet, just as we have for the past 15 years.
Even during the toughest times, including the COVID pandemic, when many others paused operations, The Independent stayed the course. We remained active, supporting local businesses and helping keep our community connected during one of the darkest chapters in recent history.
The new-look Independent may feel a little different in your hands, but inside you’ ll find the same trusted voices, community stories, event coverage, and business spotlights that you’ ve come to expect.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to our incredible advertisers- without you, there would be no paper.
And to our readers, we ask one simple thing; please support the businesses that support The Independent. Need a tradie? Choose one who advertises with us. Looking for a great local club or service? Start with the names you see in our pages. When you support them, you’ re also supporting the continuation of your local magazine.
Thank you for sticking with us- and for helping keep local news alive and thriving.
Warmest regards,
Julie Ryan
PUBLISHER / OWNER
4 ISSUE 183 // AUGUST 2025 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT