Community
22 August, 2025
Guard change for newsagency
AFTER 20 years of dedicated work for the community, Camperdown Newsagency proprietors Shane and Noela McCann are stepping back as a fresh face takes over this week.
Mrs McCann said the duo felt they were ready for retirement and spent the past few weeks completing final details in the changeover process.
“Twenty years is a long time in business, so we’re ready for a rest,” she said.
Mr McCann agreed, adding they have spent much of their time in the newsagency and supporting the community throughout their tenure.
“We need to have a bit of spare time and spend some quality time with our family and friends,” he said.
“Your work is your life and it takes up a fair bit of your time. It has for us, anyway.”
Mrs McCann said her favourite thing about owning the newsagency was being able to meet new people – whether they were customers, tourists or travellers – and it will be something she’ll miss in retirement.
“We’ll miss seeing people – having that contact and being part of the community,” she said.
Mr McCann said he will also miss communicating with community members, as well as the friendships formed over their 20 years.
“We’ll miss being able to provide a service that stands up pretty well, particularly customer-based service,” he said.
“We appreciate our customers and they appreciate us.”
The new owner of the newsagency – Paul Hewitt – officially started on Monday this week and is eager to pick up where Mr and Mrs McCann left off.
He said he always had an interest in running a business after having run his own in the past.
“I had a client who was interested in buying it who was looking at the numbers for it but decided not to go ahead,” he said.
“I looked at it myself and I thought there was an opportunity to keep the business going for the town and to take on that passion for running my own business.
“I’m looking forward to keeping the business going and building on the good work that Shane and Noela have done.
“I’m a people person, so it’s just seeing all the people coming in and being able to interact with them – that’s always been appealing to me.”
The McCanns encouraged the community to continue supporting the newsagency.
“When you support the newsagency, you support a vital small business,” Mr McCann said.
“Small businesses are so important in the community.”
Read More: Camperdown