Businesses

Have a Go News: Flying the flag for family and community

Oct 29, 2024 2 min read

Have a Go News, a lifestyle newspaper dedicated to promoting active ageing in Western Australia, has been named a finalist in Australia’s Favourite Family Business competition. For Managing Editor Jennifer Merigan, the recognition is a proud nod to a 33-year family legacy that began in 1991.

“My mum and dad started the newspaper as a retirement project,” Jen shares. “They’d been in publishing for years and saw a need to create a medium where older adults could stay active and engaged in the community.”

Over the years, the family business has become a multigenerational affair, with Jen’s godson and daughter also contributing to its growth. “My godson worked here for a while—he’s now a broadcast journalist at Sky UK. And after my daughter completed her media, marketing, and PR degrees, she joined us before moving on to become a Public Affairs Officer in the Royal Australian Navy.”

A family passion

Today, Jen and her husband lead the business, continuing the mission her parents began.

“We’re one of the last family-owned newspapers in WA—maybe even the country,” Jen says. “We have a loyal readership, and for a small team, we have an incredible reach. Our print edition reaches around 200,000 people each month, and our Facebook page connects with about 250,000 people monthly.”

Running a family business, though rewarding, comes with its challenges—especially in an industry competing against large media players for advertising revenue. “It’s been tough,” Jen admits. “And since COVID, it’s only gotten harder.”

Despite the challenges, Jen says she’s motivated by keeping her parents’ legacy alive and helping older adults live their best lives.

Australia’s Favourite?

Jen says being a finalist in Australia’s Favourite Family Business competition means a lot to the Have A Go News team.

“It’s wonderful recognition of our 33-year journey,” Jen says. “We’ve worked hard as a family to build something meaningful for the community.”

And why would a win matter? “It would give us a boost—more recognition of the work we do in WA and, hopefully, encourage more businesses to see the value in what we offer.”

With decades of passion, community spirit, and family pride, Have a Go News continues to thrive, proving that small, family-owned businesses can make a big impact.

Cast your vote for Australia’s Favourite Family Business here.

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About the author

Cec Busby

Editor

Cec has been telling stories and chasing headlines for more than 25 years. These days, she’s editor of Private Media’s Business Builders and Flying Solo, and the voice behind the Flying Solo and First Act podcasts. She kicked off her editing career as the founding editor of Sydney street press The Brag and has since worn the editor’s hat across a stack of titles – from SX and CULT to Better Pictures, Total Rock, MTV, fasterlouder, mynikonlife and Fantastic Living. Cec’s reporting runs the gamut. She’s covered small business, politics, health and LGBTQIA+ issues with equal passion. And when she’s not in print or online, you might have caught her behind the mic at FBi Radio or in front of the camera on OutTV.