We are fortunate that we have a loyal readership that has maintained our circulation while our website readership has grown exponentially over the past three years.

As well, the Tribune's Facebook site is 'liked' by over 3000, a hefty figure for a small-town newspaper.

It's clear that people are turning to the Tribune for local news.

Still the problem of how to make money into the future is real. As a business, we have to earn enough to pay our way, including staff wages. By giving our news away free online are we losing an income stream that will help us survive into the future?

Is there the possibility that we might charge for our online content someday in the future? Would local people be willing to pay a subscription fee to get the Yass Tribune online, in much the same way as paying for a newspaper now? We would be interested to hear your thoughts about this.

Country newspapers in the UK recently asked the government to consider providing public funding to keep local newspapers alive, and we wonder if it might ever come to that in Australia. If so, would it threaten our independence if, for example, part of the funding for the Yass Tribune came from Yass Valley Council or the state government?

All this is food for thought, as the Tribune goes through a few more changes, which we will reveal more of in coming weeks.

In the meantime, if you value your local newspaper please continue to support us by purchasing the paper and patronising our advertisers.