The Pandaemonium Paper came from a family tragedy. 

Pandaemonium’s Publisher and Managing Editor Alice Armitage has a mission. She wants to honour the legacy of her cousin Nick and support other ambitious country kids struggling to find their way.

Alice is a farmer’s daughter from Guyra NSW/Kamilaroi Country and she is a one of the 2023 ABC Heywire Trailblazer competition winners.  

When Nick died by suicide, Alice saw him leave behind his ambitions and the people who adored him.

Alice always knew regional Australia is a home to unique opportunities, individuals and communities and wanted more people to learn just how beautiful and yet so brutal country life could be. About 18 months ago, she founded the contemporary quarterly Pandaemonium Paper to showcase innovators, creatives and self-starters living outside the metropolitan mould. 

Every piece published by the core team of regional creatives is helping to contribute to Alice’s mission of building a more diverse representation on what’s possible for the youth of regional Australia. 

For Nicholas.
And every other young brilliant mind struggling to find their place in the world.

She is a firm believer that life outside major metropolitan cities holds the key to solving many of today’s crucial challenges.

With the first year and a several issues now to bed, Alice reflects “It often felt like a never-ending hike up an incredibly steep incline.

“This marks a milestone for this humble newspaper and it now feels we’re at a peak and can see the horizon ahead.”

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is the foundational and major sponsor of ABC Trailblazers, helping to share the powerful ideas of young changers living in regional Australia. 

All RDA committees, including RDA Northern Inland, have opportunities to engage with their regional winners and to help these young change-makers realise their most powerful ideas for making regional Australia a better place to live. 

Learn more about Trailblazers, go to RDA program partners.

Order a copy, go to pandaemonium 

If you need someone to talk to, call: 

• Lifeline on 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
• MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
• Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
• Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
• Headspace on 1800 650 890
• QLife on 1800 184 527