Since the 19th century, phrases, words, sentences and images informed the local community through The Echo, Newstead's very own newspaper/newsletter. Like newspapers in all communities, The Echo has been 'the metaphorical glue' which binds the community, providing news, information, opinion and, in its first incarnation, stories tantamount to gossip.

The first edition of The Echo, in the parlance of the industry, 'hit the streets' on Saturday August 22, 1896. The editor of the day, the idiosyncratic Mr. Dower, opined that The Echo was being published, "...for many reasons the chief amongst which being that in the past a great deal of money has been paid out of the district by the Shire Council and others for printing and advertising, not one penny of which has ever returned to the district". He also noted that, "The district is almost unknown outside its own boundaries, and is only spoken of as being "somewhere in the interior of Victoria". We don't say that matters in this regard will be greatly changed for the better by the advent of The Echo, but if it does not occur it will not be our fault".

Mr. Dower also wrote that, "Mining will be our chief forte', and weekly our reporter will be sent to Sandy Creek, Yandoit and other places where mining is being carried on with a view of collecting latest information relative to an industry that according to present indications, will be the chief one in this part of Victoria".

On February 13, 1968, the demise of The Echo after 72 years came with the publication of its final edition, an event precipitated by the illness of the proprietor, Mr. 'Mac' Hurse. The paper reported the regret expressed by Newstead citizens at its closure, who praised its service in the interest of a rural district.

The Echo's closure was greatly lamented by district residents who hankered for local news. To address the situation, the town's postmaster, Mr. GW Beeforth was instrumental in creating its replacement, The Newstead News. This was a short-lived paper, which lasted from October 2, 1968 until December 22, 1971 when it amalgamated with the Maldon Times to form The Tarrangower Times.

In April 1978, 10 years after the closure of The Echo, the Shire of Newstead adopted the name The Newstead Echo as the masthead of its new monthly community newsletter and in doing so, honoured the role of its predecessor.

In the first edition, the council reported that documents transferring council land in Panmure Street to the Housing Commission for the construction of Elderly Person Low Rental Accommodation were finalised.
Council also noted that, "...a study of Newstead's street trees had been conducted to determine the best method of preserving their beauty and ensuring maximum life span. The presence of Elm Bark beetle in Newstead was noted, necessitating the removal of some trees".

The editorial of Issue No 197, January 1995, the final edition of the council-generated Echo, advocated for residents to lobby commissioners for a similar information service. Government policies were in play, the Shire of Newstead was no more and council amalgamation was a fait accompli.

Defiantly the council invited community members to the Australia Day celebration, "...to mark its demise...this would take place regardless of the amalgamation taking place prior to Australia Day".

The current Newstead Echo now celebrating its 10th anniversary began when the first monthly edition of the community newsletter was published in August 1995. The re-emergence of The Echo followed representations to the commissioners of the newly amalgamated Mt Alexander Shire. They approved funding for typing and duplication, and appointed a committee of Rob McNabb, Suzan Redlande, Ruth Barkla, Margaret Lewis and Peter Skilbeck to coordinate its publication.

The office has operated continually on site after it was re-commissioned at the museum in 1968, producing admission tickets, stationary, raffle tickets, docket books, business cards, as well as its famous 'Wanted Posters'.

Barry Warden operated the office as the first employed printer. David Toffull, who began his apprenticeship there in 1984, succeeded him on his retirement in 1993.

The newspaper was the focal point for all local news - the only medium available. The "Echo" Newspaper and Printing Office comes from Newstead near Castlemaine. The office is still fully functional with work done on many of the original presses, including the Chandler & Price treadle platen press.

The smell of molten metal amongst the inky mayhem with Bobby Baxter sitting on the rickety stool putting 'shiny' blocks of things with back to front writing into rectangular boxes. The printers grind, clunk and the paper is perused discussed and then eventually finishes in the outside loo or lights the copper or on someone's rabbit traps.

Editor 'Mac Hurse' roars past. Always in the houndstooth coat with leather elbow patches - a romantic figure. Always in the slightly battered, open topped jeep. A man on a mission. Where too? Perhaps the Newstead Court, or the Newstead Cattle sales. The Loddon flats were legendary for the fattest, biggest bullocks and the court report was as compulsory for some as 'Big Brother' is for others.

Memories of 'Mac' echo as strongly as today's 'Echo'. My tangible link from childhood to middle age.

I sit and wonder what 'Mac Hurse' would think of 'Apple Macs'. The means are different but the results are the same.

He would be proud of a community, talking, sharing, working together and continuing the tradition of Newstead as our home.