Jay Scicluna
Founder / Publisher
Jay is the founder and publisher of STPL News. It all began with the Somerville Times. Next came the Peninsula local. Finally, everything was tied together under the title of STPL News. This is the story of where we began.
During the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns, I was living on a different part of Victoria. Local businesses in my community faced unprecedented challenges. Operations were halted, revenue streams dried up, and businesses that relied on foot traffic struggled to stay afloat.
Recognizing this dire need, I devised a creative solution—a simple A5 pamphlet featuring ads for local businesses, particularly cafes and hospitality services. This initiative provided visibility and a lifeline for these struggling businesses. As demand grew, the concept evolved into an A4 folded in half flyer with 96 squares, each selling for $100.
This not only supported local businesses financially but also fostered a sense of community solidarity by providing vital updates during uncertain times.
Kicking Off the Somerville Times
Due to personal reasons, I moved to Somerville after the first wave, during the peak of the second wave. After spending some time as a resident of Somerville, I noticed changes once the lockdowns had lifted. I found that the community was still grappling with the aftereffects of COVID-19. There was also a growing skepticism towards mainstream media and online information. Seizing this opportunity, I established the Somerville Times, aiming to create a trustworthy local newspaper.
Starting with a simple A3 format folded in half and stapled together to make eight pages, the Somerville Times was born.
A bit about me
At the heart of who I am is a father, desperately trying to provide for my son and give him a better life. Early on, while we were still working things out with the Somerville Times, my son would help me staple and fold the copies. His involvement has been as much a part of this journey as my own efforts. This family commitment adds a deeply personal dimension to our story, underscoring the values of hard work, resilience, and togetherness that drive our endeavors.
Peninsula Local Launch
The Peninsula local was the natural next step as many followers of the Somerville Times resided outside of Somerville but on the Mornington Peninsula. With such support growing, I resisted the temptation to dilute the Somerville Times with outside content and began building the STPL News to create a future readership base for the Peninsula Local. I am a big believer in trying something new and after community feedback and weighing up the cost effectiveness, I decided to produce the Peninsula local as a traditional tabloid newspaper.
Our Mission
Our mission remains the same: to offer reliable, balanced, and engaging content that reflects the diverse interests and voices of the Mornington Peninsula. Peninsula Local covers everything from local events to council updates. We also feature in-depth stories on community members and businesses. We are dedicated to keeping you informed and connected.
We are always on the lookout for stories, news alerts, information, and tip-offs. This is a free publication, sustained by our advertisers and sponsors. If you would like to find out about advertising in this publication, please get in touch!
