Australia’s leading publisher for the gay and lesbian community, the Sydney Star Observer, has appointed a Publishing Editor to consolidate its position as one of the community’s most important forums and to take the organisation to the next level. Scott Abrahams, former Editor-In-Chief of Courier Newspapers, will take up the role of Publishing Editor at the Star Observer in June, supported by a strong team of journalists, sales executives and production staff.
Mark Bengtsson, Chairman of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Community Publishing Limited, publisher of the Star Observer, said: ‘This is a new position at the Sydney Star Observer which recognises our organisation’s vital role within the community, and also our need to be a contemporary publishing company that delivers the best offering to our readers, the community and our advertisers.
‘Scott brings a wealth of experience gained at Australia’s leading media organisations, which he will apply at every level of our business’.
Abrahams was Editor-In-Chief of the Courier Newspaper stable at Federal Publishing Company, prior to its recent acquisition by News Limited. He has managed and edited some of Australia’s leading newspapers including the Wentworth Courier, the Canterbury-Bankstown Express, the Mosman Daily and was Regional Editor for Leader Newspapers in Melbourne.
He was instrumental in the recent redesign of the Courier Newspaper stable, and built and delivered the group’s successful news, lifestyle and real estate sections.
Abrahams said: ‘The Sydney Star Observer has a remarkable history of which I am proud to become a part. For almost 30 years it has been the voice of Australia’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual and transgender population, setting agendas and fighting alongside community groups to raise awareness of the social injustices that still face same-sex attracted people.
‘I am looking forward to working with the staff at the Star Observer to capitalise on its many strengths and to engage and even broader audience of readers into the future’.
The role of Publishing Editor will encompass responsibility for all aspects of the Sydney Star Observer, including editorial content and design, business and community relationships, and all publications including www.ssonet.com.au. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Community Publishing Limited is a community-owned, incorporated company. Its flagship publication, the Sydney Star Observer has been published since 1979.
The weekly publication is distributed nationally with a CAB audited circulation of 30,452 (Sep 2006). It has the highest audited circulation of any gay and lesbian publication in Australia.
