The Warrnambool Examiner was founded by John Wilkinson and Richard Osburne in 1851. After a gap of a couple of years Richard Osburne resumed publication in October 1853 and continued until 1867. William Fairfax and Henry Laurie then leased the paper (1867 to 1872) before Richard Osburne again became the proprietor from October 1872 to April 1878 and from December 1879 to December 1880 when publication ceased. Richard Osburne was a pioneer settler in Warrnambool, arriving in 1847. He was prominent in community activities in the town and was a most important early historian, publishing his seminal work, ‘The History of Warrnambool’ in 1887, using the Warrnambool Examiner newspapers to assist with this history. Fairfax and Laurie were the proprietors when the papers described herein were printed. William Fairfax was a member of the Fairfax family that was, and still is, associated with the publication of many Australian newspapers. Henry Laurie later became well-known as a Melbourne University Philosophy Professor.These original newspapers are most important because they contain much information on Warrnambool’s early history and are a primary source for historians. These papers are also of importance because some parts of these papers were not filmed and are not currently available on microfilm. These papers have come from the old Warrnambool Museum which no longer exists.These are original copies of the Warrnambool Examiner from 5th January 1869 to 31st December 1869. They are bound and have a mottled brown/blue cover with brown binding glued together. Some of the pages have torn edges but otherwise are in good condition. The pages are unmarked. The paper of 6th August 1869 has an insert advertisement for Wilkie, Webster and Allan Pianofortes with Mr Fanner the Warrnambool representative. The newspapers are broadsheet, two pages to one edition printed on both sides and published twice weekly. Inside front cover (handwritten): ‘Fairfax and Laurie’warrnambool examiner, richard osburne, william fairfax