Bingara Newsagency is a finalist in the ‘Newsagency of the Year’ category, alongside the Chermside Nextra Newsagency in Brisbane and the Drouin Newsagency in Victoria’s West Gipplsland region.

Owner and manager of the Bingara business, Rod King, said it is the first time they have entered the competition.  

Mr King, 73, bought the newsagency 30 years ago and set about designing a strategy for its survival in rapidly changing times. 

Drawing on knowledge gained while completing a business degree, he devised plans for developing a number of “transformational” or new enterprises related to his traditional newsagency operation. 

“I had this vision 10 years ago, maybe even longer,” Mr King said. 

Over the last six years, the business has added an in-house design and printing operation; its own weekly local newspaper; and an online retail service. 

“They’re all integrated to a plan,” Mr King said. 

“Around 200 newsagencies a year are closing down … I’m going to retire soon and the last thing I want is to sell [the business] to a local person and have it close down because it couldn’t travel well in a changing world.”

Bingara newsagency will also be in the running for the event’s inaugural People’s Choice award which is won by popular vote. Anyone wanting to vote the business can do so by going to www.nationalretailawards.net.au/enter/

As Australia's biggest and longest-running retail awards, the National Retail Awards are designed to create a benchmark and reflect the diversity and innovation of Australia's retail industry.

“This is a really bug deal for our little town and it could not have happened without the support of the Bingara community,” Mr King said. 

Mr King will travel to Sydney for the National Retail Association’s gala dinner and awards night at Darling Island Wharf on Wednesday, September 27.