To celebrate the Geelong + Surf Coast Living's 50^th edition, Telum spoke to the Managing Editor, Jon Zabiegala, about the publication's growth and milestones over the years. 

What sets Geelong + Surf Coast Living apart in the media landscape?
Our magazine was born from the recognition that there was no other publication in the region showcasing why people should choose to live here or visit. At the time of launching, there were a lot of other lifestyle magazines in different regions, so it was a no-brainer to launch one here where it's a diverse landscape of creativity.

Our ethos is also only to use local journalists and photographers telling stories about the people and places they encounter. In addition, each story must be accessible to the reader. If a reader can't visit the subject or purchase a product, then we don't publish the story.

How has your editorial team grown over time?
Surprisingly, not a lot. Being a quarterly publication means all journalists and photographers are freelance, and we have a small team of Advertising Managers. We did create a position for a Design and Production Editor to liaise with advertisers and create advertising for clients who require help.

What do you consider to be Geelong + Surf Coast Living's most significant milestones?
Despite advice to the contrary, the fact that we have been publishing in print for 12 years and reached the milestone of having just published our 50^th edition is excitingly significant. We were awarded Consumer Publication of the Year (Small Publisher) in 2017 at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards. It was a pleasant surprise for a small regional magazine to receive such a prestigious award.

Can you highlight some standout articles that have defined the publication's journey?
There isn't one story that particularly stands out. As Managing Editor, I am constantly surprised that we can find such a diverse range of tales to tell. It is a testament to the region's everchanging landscape that my job is made relatively easy.

How would you characterise the audience / community that Geelong + Surf Coast Living has cultivated?
As we are a predominantly free magazine, it disappears as fast as we can distribute. We have dedicated followers who give us mostly positive feedback, and we support many local organisations and work with them to tell their stories. Geelong Gallery is a perfect example; we approached them for an article in our launch edition, and they have been featured in every magazine since. We are all about informing our readers about their own community.

How does the 50^th edition differ from previous editions? Are there any special features or celebrations planned?
I had planned on possibly revisiting subjects from previous editions to see where they are now but ultimately decided to treat this edition as another new magazine. One thing Geelong + Surf Coast Living doesn't do is be retrospective. There is no use informing readers of what they missed out on, but rather what they can look forward to experiencing.

Since launching our magazine in 2012, Provincial Media has launched seven other titles, five of which exist today: Ballarat + Central Highlands Living, Know It All, Westside Know It All, Geelong Wedding, and Melbourne Wedding. Publishing print magazines has always been our passion and we are currently witnessing national titles that chose the digital route coming back to the fold, proving print is still a formidable option.