Brian Evans Appointed CEO Australia, For Fairfax

Brian Evans Appointed Chief Operating Officer, Australia, For Fairfax

SYDNEY, March 30, 2005 – John Fairfax Holdings Limited [ASX:FXJ] announced today that Brian Evans has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, Australia, with direct responsibility for the metropolitan and community newspapers and group operations.

The announcement by Fred Hilmer, Chief Executive Officer, to Fairfax staff in Australia and New Zealand, follows:

MESSAGE TO ALL STAFF

BRIAN EVANS APPOINTED CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, AUSTRALIA

I am pleased to announce that Brian Evans has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, Australia, effective no later than May 1, 2005.

As COO, Brian will have direct responsibility for the metropolitan and regional and community newspapers and group operations. Fairfax New Zealand and Fairfax Business Media will continue to report directly to me.

Two years following the creation of the Metropolitan Newspaper business unit, Brian’s appointment is the next logical step to take the metros forward by providing a stronger focus on their business, and creating further opportunities for commercial initiatives in conjunction with the regional and community newspapers. This also enables me to provide greater concentration, for the time being, on strategic issues facing the company.

Brian is one of our most experienced and successful publishing executives, with a thorough understanding of the industry. He has had outstanding success in implementing our acquisition of the publishing business in New Zealand. We are appreciative of his accomplishments and those of his colleagues. To assist in the transition and provide continuity, I have asked him to remain a member of Fairfax New Zealand’s Advisory Council. A Managing Director for Fairfax New Zealand will be appointed in the near future.

As we near the end of the third quarter of the financial year, the company is performing soundly. Brian’s appointment will further strengthen our publishing business in Australia. Sincerely, Fred Hilmer Chief Executive Officer

BIOGRAPHY NOTE

BRIAN EVANS

Brian Evans is Chief Executive Officer of Fairfax New Zealand, responsible for all the mastheads and publishing businesses acquired by Fairfax for $1.1 billion in 2003. Fairfax New Zealand reported revenues of $NZ281.8 million for the half year to 31 December 2004. He is a member of the Executive Management Team of Fairfax, reporting directly to the CEO, Fred Hilmer. Previously, he was the Group General Manager of Fairfax Regional and Community Newspapers Brian has had 30 years experience in the newspaper industry, with the past 11 years working with Fairfax.

At FRCN, he took the Newcastle Herald from a position of decline to the fast-growing significant daily newspaper in Australia. Brian also became responsible for all regional daily newspapers across Fairfax, adding the Illawarra Mercury and the Warrnambool Standard to his portfolio. In April, 2002 Brian was appointed as Group General Manager of Fairfax Regional and Community Newspapers which then incorporated 32 newspaper and magazine publications, within three Divisions across New South Wales and Victoria.

Brian was appointed CEO of Fairfax New Zealand in April 2003. -- ENDS --

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