"My vision for the Illawarra Mercury is for a news publication that knows who it represents and meets our audience where they are - be it in print, online, in our apps or on social media," Tomlinson said.

"It asks the difficult questions, it is fearless in its story-telling and is dedicated to helping people stay informed."

Read more: The Illawarra Mercury news app launches for iOS and Android

Tomlinson joined ACM, the publisher of the Mercury, from the United Kingdom's Trinity Mirror Group in 2016. She started with ACM as social media editor and was most recently the head of audience.

"Having worked alongside the Illawarra Mercury team for five years, I know how passionate and driven the Mercury newsroom is," said Tomlinson, who now calls Wollongong home.

ACM head of dailies Chad Watson said Tomlinson would build on the Illawarra Mercury's long and proud heritage of breaking news, community campaigns and investigative journalism.

"Gayle and the deputy editor, Lisa Wachsmuth, will form a respected and inspirational team devoted to leading the Mercury into this exciting next phase," Watson said.

Tomlinson is the first female editor of the Illawarra Mercury, which traces its origins back to 1855.

"It's a great privilege to be appointed the editor of the Illawarra Mercury," she said on Friday.

"The Mercury is one of ACM's strongest news titles and over the years it has provided first-class news coverage during bushfires, floods and most recently, the coronavirus pandemic.

"This newsroom has a depth of experience, energy and passion ... I can't wait to get started on Monday."

The Mercury is part of ACM's network of more than 150 newspapers and websites, with the company providing a "trusted voice" in every state and territory.

The network includes 13 other daily mastheads: The Canberra Times, Newcastle Herald, Bendigo Advertiser, The Courier (Ballarat), Border Mail (Albury-Wodonga), Daily Advertiser (Wagga), The Standard (Warrnambool), Northern Daily Leader (Tamworth), Daily Liberal (Dubbo), Central Western Daily (Orange), Western Advocate (Bathurst), The Examiner (Launceston) and The Advocate (Burnie).

The Illawarra Mercury news app is now officially live on both iOS and Android devices. It is available for download in the Apple Store and Google Play.