Manilla Express

20/08/2026

PRINTER WOES AT THE PAPER
The Express is experiencing printer supply problems and cannot print more than a handful of copies this week. We apologise to everyone who prefers, or needs, a paper copy to read, and we are working on the problem. As regular readers know we work hard to make sure paper copies still continue to be available because the digital world is not for everyone.
The PDF copy has been emailed to subscribers as usual. If you don't subscribe already you can do so for $1 a week. You'll get local news and views and support local jobs. Click here to subscribe: https://manillaexpress.com.au/

30/07/2026

Please accept our apologies for this week's delay in publication. Our toner has not shown up after ordering it 4 times this week and last week. We are cyrrently unable to print, but hoping a workaround will be successful tonight... fingers crossed. Unfortunately competing priorities in our new learning curve get in the way, however our digital copy will be sent within the next few hours.

15/07/2026

Due to repeated specific NBN complete breakdowns and unavailability of the internet from Monday 6th July until Tuesday 14th July, then Wednesday 15th July ongoing, the Manilla Express will be available on Thursday afternoon 16th July. Thanks to the generosity of some members of the community, temporary alternative arrangements have been made and we are able to get on with the job, yet again. It started when the printers closed and we resolved that with new printers, and now we are faced with continual NBN issues, but continue to Press on....

23/06/2026

Have you read the June 11 edition yet? It has gr ret local stories including the low down on the 2026 Vintage Machinery Rally. Or last week’s 18 June edition? It has a fascinating local history story.

You can get your full digital copy each week for $1pw via subscription at manillaexpress.com.au. If you’d like a back issue just shoot us an email when you subscribe.

An A3-sized printed VENUE COPY of the Manilla Express is available to read at local Manilla & Barraba pubs, clubs, coffee shops, medical waiting rooms and takeaways from today, as well as Somerton Pub, Attunga General Store and Lake Keepit Kiosk, and soon to be Tamworth.

Every subscription helps strengthen the long-term future of this historical 127yo community newspaper, and gives you value for money for less than an Australia Post stamp. Find out much more about small towns, rural and smaller communities outside of Tamworth City which take up two thirds of the entire geographical region, and in turn assist us to continue to provide a printed newspaper for our communities.

We support our large base of elderly, isolated and regional residents who still value and rely upon having a real local newspaper in their hands each week, and those who simply want to read the newspaper with their coffee.

Go to: manillaexpress.com.au and sign up for your $1pw copy now!tn

17/06/2026

Dear Readers,
This week's edition of the Express is delayed slightly. It should be out this afternoon (Thursday). It's been a week of illnesses, absences and mishaps for our team. We hope your week has been better than ours and apologise for the delay.
Regards,
Manilla Express Editor and Crew.

04/06/2026

Manilla Express and Barraba News Thursday 4th June 2026 digital edition. You can get your full digital copy for $1pw via subscription at manillaexpress.com.au, or scan the QR code for quicker access.

An A3-sized printed VENUE COPY of the Manilla Express is available to read at local Manilla & Barraba pubs, clubs, coffee shops, medical waiting rooms and takeaways from today, as well as Somerton Pub, Attunga General Store and Lake Keepit Kiosk, and soon to be Tamworth.

Read about our pathway to a new model four our 127yo local small regional newspaper.

We encourage readers to support the Manilla Express $1 per week Press on... digital edition campaign.

Every subscription helps strengthen the long-term future of this historical 127yo community newspaper, and gives you value for money for less than an Australia Post stamp. Find out much more about small towns, rural and smaller communities outside of Tamworth City which take up two thirds of the entire geographical region, and in turn assist us to continue to provide a printed newspaper for our communities.

We support our large base of elderly, isolated and regional residents who still value and rely upon having a real local newspaper in their hands each week, and those who simply want to read the newspaper with their coffee.

Go to: manillaexpress.com.au and sign up for your $1pw copy now!

"The Voice of Manilla for 127 years". Independently owned, focused on Manilla and the surrounding rural and regional small communities.

28/05/2026

Manilla Express and Barraba News Saturday 28th May 2026, digital edition. You can get your full digital copy for $1pw via subscription at manillaexpress.com.au, or scan the QR code for quicker access. Please note that next week we have now returned to publishing on Thursdays, weekly.

An A3-sized printed VENUE COPY of the Manilla Express is available to read at local Manilla and Barraba clubs, coffee shops and pubs now, due to the lack of professional printing services in our region.

The Tamworth “Leader” printers, formerly operating from the Armstrong Street Glen Artney Estate site, have now ceased local newspaper printing operations and we have elected to print locally.

Read about our pathway to remaining open as one of the few remaining small regional newspapers.

We encourage readers to support the Manilla Express $1 per week digital edition campaign. Every subscription helps strengthen the long-term future of this historical 127yo community newspaper, and assists us in continuing to provide a printed newspaper for elderly, isolated and regional residents who still value and rely upon having a real local newspaper in their hands each week. Go to: manillaexpress.com.au or scan the QR code

22/05/2026

Manilla Express and Barraba News Saturday 23rd May 2026 digital edition. You can get your full digital copy for $1pw via subscription at manillaexpress.com.au, or scan the QR code for quicker access. Please note that next week we will return to publishing weekly on Thursdays.

An A3-sized printed venue copy of the Manilla Express (not newsprint) is available to read at local Manilla and Barraba clubs, coffee shops and pubs from today, due to the lack of professional printing services in our region.

The Tamworth “Leader” printers, formerly operating from the Armstrong Street Glen Artney Estate site, have now ceased local newspaper printing operations. Read about our pathway to remaining open as one of the few remaining small regional newspapers.

We aencourage readers to support the Manilla Express $1 per week digital edition campaign. Every subscription helps strengthen the long-term future of this historical 127yo community newspaper, and assists us in continuing to provide a printed newspaper for elderly, isolated and regional residents who still value and rely upon having a real local newspaper in their hands each week. Go to: manillaexpress.com.au

17/05/2026

Manilla Express and Barraba News Saturday 16th May 2026 edition. You can get your full digital copy for $1pw via subscription at manillaexpress.com.au, or scan the QR code for quicker access. An A3-sized printed venue copy of the Manilla Express (not newsprint) is only available to read at local Manilla and Barraba clubs, coffee shops and pubs from tomorrow (Sunday) due to the lack of professional printing services in our region.

The Tamworth “Leader” printers, formerly operating from the Armstrong Street Glen Artney Estate site, have now ceased local newspaper printing operations. As a result, the Manilla Express may be without a newspint edition for at least another week as arrangements are finalised with metropolitan and/or Qld printing providers.

The Sydney printing system operates with significantly larger minimum print runs and substantially higher costs than those previously faced by smaller regional newspapers such as the Manilla Express (at least 3 times our previous printing costs).

We are therefore encouraging readers to support the Manilla Express $1 per week digital edition campaign. Every subscription helps strengthen the long-term future of this historical community newspaper, and assists us in continuing to provide a printed newspaper for elderly, isolated and regional residents who still value and rely upon having a real local newspaper in their hands each week. Go to: manillaexpress.com.au

12/05/2026

As big business shifts to the city, we’re fighting to keep Manilla and Barraba’s voices alive. The Manilla Express has served our communities for 127 years. With poor internet and a high elderly population, our printed paper is vital. For just $1 a week, you receive the Manilla Express digitally—packed with local stories, people, and events. Scan the QR code to help us preserve our heritage, support our isolated and elderly, and ensure that a small country town still thrives.