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Dem Tull

The Dem Tull newspaper first appeared in 1983. Long-term resident Russell Francis reminisces about those days:

“The photos plus newspaper text would be an encapsulated snapshot of one Norfolk Island year from 40 years ago.  What were the issues and interests then, as investigated by the reporters at the newspaper;   what were the people doing for fun and entertainment;   what businesses operated? etc etc

“I remember the time very well – tourist numbers boomed and people were prosperous and optimistic – the form of self-government begun in 1979 had satisfied the hope of throwing off the Canberra yoke to a great degree.  And the Dem Tull newspaper was a well-produced newspaper with a professional couple at its heart. The publisher/printer Gary Robertson was married to a Norfolk Islander.  He later became a member of the Legislative Assembly, I think assuming role of Finance Minister.

“I think it folded because advertisers tried to pressure the publisher about certain opinions (or perceived opinions) aired in the paper.  Without the adverts, the paper couldn’t survive on sales alone.  The issue was discussed in the last issue of the paper, from memory.”

Ric Robertson, son of Gary and a descendant of Pitcairn settler George Hunn Nobbs, has generously given permission to archive and re-publish these issues. Printed copies were generously made available for scanning by the Bounty Museum. The text of these digital files is searchable, but the search function may be imperfect given that many images are interposed.

The Norfolk Island Historical Society holds JPG files of the photos printed in the newspaper

Vol. 1 No. 1 of 24 Feb. 1983.

Vol. 1 No. 2 of 3 March 1983 (28.0MB) .

Vol. 1 No. 3 of 10 March 1983 (28.9MB).

Vol, 1 No. 4 of 17 March 1983

Vol. 1 No. 5 of 25 Mar 1983

Vol. 1 No. 21 of 14 July 1983 (30.9MB).

Vol. 1 No. 6 of 1 Apr 1983 – entitlement to vote; Ministers Kim Beazley and Tom Uren on Island for opening of airport upgrade; first jet lands at airport

Vol. 1 No. 7 of 8 April 1983 –

Vol. 1 No.8 of 15 April 1983 –

Vol. 1 No. 9 of 21 April 1983 –

Vol. 1 No. 10 of 28 April 1983 – 15 candidates announced for Leg Assembly poll;  marketing drive for Norfolk Island stamps

Vol. 1 No. 11 of 5 May 1983 – Touche Ross consultants compare public and private sector wages and conditions;  April a bumper month for tourist numbers

Vol.1 No. 12 of 12 May 1983 – candidates for Assembly election make policy statements; Radio station needing financial help

Vol. 1 No. 13 of 19 May 1983 – David Buffett tops Leg Ass poll.  radio station seeks financial assistance; National Parks move to conserve endangered green parrot

Vol. 1 No. 14 of 26 May 1983 – two Leg Ass members, Brown and Sanders, declare themselves “the Opposition”;  Air New in negotiation for Auckland-Norfolk Island run

Vol. 1 No. 15 of 2 June 1983 – real estate agent says property prices indicate poor economic state: continuing discussion with Air New  Zealand over use 0f Boeing 737 on Auck-Norfolk run

Vol. 1 No. 16 of 9 June 1983 – Chamber of Commerce calls for Air NZ 737s: SDA school opened: Bounty Day best dressed family won by Christians.

Vol. 1 No. 17 of 16 June 1983 – Leg Ass to form committee to decide on Public Service head; Air NZ gets Leg Ass approval to use 737s on Norfolk Island run without an EIS;

Vol. 1 No. 18 of 23 June 1983 – Australian Navy ships intercept Taiwanese trawler off Norfolk Island; management plan for Mt Pitt Reserve

Vol. 1 No. 19 of 30 June 1983 –

Vol. 1 No. 20  of 7 July 1983 –

Vol. 1 No. 21 of 14 July 1983 –

Vol. 1 No. 22 of 21 Jul 1983 –

Vol. 1 No. 23 of 28 Jul 1983 –

Vol. 1 No. 24 of 4 Aug 1983 – Minister of Finance Brian Bates calls 1983-1984 budget “frightening”; Supreme Court dismisses charges against David Lewis.

Vol. 1 No. 25 of 11 Aug 1983 –