Court Press brings colour to Inland Rail

Inland Rail is the new kid in Forbes, but it has already developed a working relationship with local printing business Court Press and its stalwart owner Tom Dwyer.

Mr Dwyer is the eldest of nine children, and when he finished school he needed to secure a job. The chance to become a physical education teacher was parked and instead he secured an apprenticeship at Court Press, where he learned the skill of printing. Five years later he took over the business himself!

“I found it fascinating how everything was developed. You got to use your imagination while using your hands and word skills,” he said. “People come in with their printing needs and you solve their problems.”

After more than 40 years in the business, Mr Dwyer has embraced change in the printing industry. While still offering traditional typesetting, and labour-intensive printing jobs, he has pivoted his business to adopt digital technologies.

“The quality and scope of what we do has changed with technology,” he said. “The needs of the customers have changed a lot over the years.”

Inland Rail uses Court Press to deliver the fact sheets and posters needed to educate and inform the local community about the Stockinbingal to Parkes project.

“It’s really interesting work and offers something a little different from the work we otherwise produce here,” Mr Dwyer said. “They are also one of the few customers using recycled paper, which is good for the environment and looks nice.”

As the Inland Rail project progresses locally, enhancing the existing rail line to support longer, double-stacked trains, Mr Dwyer is enthusiastic about the possibilities for Forbes businesses. 

He believed Court Press, along with producers on farms and manufacturers, will be well placed to take advantage of access to broader domestic and international markets.

“All of a sudden they can produce in Forbes and it becomes the hub, while you use Inland Rail to build the spokes of the business,” he said.