And the page turns on 400 issues

Every picture here tells a story along the way to this milestone 400th issue of Have a Go News

The late Judith Treby and Quentin Smythe launched this newspaper in July 1991, providing free, motivating and helpful information for mature Western Australians.

Founders Judith Treby and Quentin Smythe

Moving-on after 34 years, Have a Go News balances news and photographs, opinions and reader feedback, offers, quizzes and entertainment.

Journalists and contributors focus on health and fitness, holidays and travel, advice, arts and literature, food, leisure and sports, motoring, education and West Australian history.

As a free publication, Have a Go News is judged only by the support it receives from readers, advertisers, sponsors, businesses, government and supporters. All have a stake in relevant, independent, community information.

From the 1990s, Have a Go News has walked with Baby Boomers who showed they had no intention of “lying down” in their senior years. They wanted to remain interested and active: to “have a go”.

Now the dominant demographic, Baby Boomers approach their “golden years” in unprecedented activity and motivation. Enjoying their leisure, travel, hobbies, volunteering and, for some, work, they’ve set a pattern for successive generations.

Have a Go News remains a West Australian, family-owned business. Judith Treby and Quentin Smythe passed the baton to daughter Jennifer Merigan, steering this masthead to future milestones.

Third-generation family support came from Jennifer’s daughter, Tahlia. 

Tahlia and Jennifer Merigan

The journalism and public relations graduate oversaw modernising the newspaper’s operating systems, redesigning the website and future-proofing administration procedures.

When satisfied everything was ship-shape, Tahlia went on to pursue her goal of a navy career, graduating as a lieutenant and continuing her role in media as a Royal Australian Navy public affairs officer. 

Over 34 years, Have a Go News teams interviewed a galaxy of stars from Moon walker Buzz Aldrin to media giant Ita Buttrose.

The list includes Cliff Richard, Gene Pitney, Lyle Lovett, Glen Campbell, Leo Sayer, Petula Clark, Debbie Reynolds, Gloria Gaynor and Are You Being Served funnyman John Inman.

Local big-names included Anthony Warlow, Barry Humphries, Bert Newton, Di Morrissey, James Morrison, Tina Arena, Jimmy Barnes, Brian Cadd, Kerri-Anne Kennerley and George Negus.

Outside the newspaper, co-founder Quentin released Living Histories, recollections of WA life in the 1950s in WA. For Have a Go News’ 25th anniversary, readers were invited to contribute recollections of the 1960s which were compiled into a book.

Have a Go News has continued to produce books by our journalists.

Bud Tingwell and Judith Treby with 2000 Western Australian Senior Media Awards’ Editors/Directors certificate

Quentin helped steer the Seniors Recreation Council from its inception to his passing in 2018. Judith’s efforts co-founding the newspaper for seniors were recognised by her posthumous induction in the WA Women’s Hall of Fame. Both received various awards over the years for the work for older adults in Western Australia including being crowned the Champion for Seniors in 2009.

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Lee Tate
Journalist, commentator, broadcaster and author. Lee, columnist for Have a Go News has reported for The Australian Financial Review, The Australian, The West Australian, Sunday Times, Albany Advertiser, Melbourne Herald, Launceston Examiner, Business News and national magazines. Lee has covered federal politics, industrial relations and national affairs. A public speaker, newspaper columnist and author of two books, Lee co-hosted 6PR’s current affairs radio. He also co-founded a stable of national business newsletters. Lee is former communications manager for a non-profit, mental health carers’ organisation.