Welcome to Town Talk, 2023.
I found myself thinking about newspapers and the new challenges they face (which isn’t surprising, considering I write for one!). Then I found myself wondering about the early days of this particular industry, in our region. The story is chaotic.
Print publications were launched under complicated mastheads, which were frequently changed. They also changed ownership, sometimes very quickly. A Numurkah newspaper was sold just five weeks after it began. Some lasted until the 20th century but many didn’t. To make this as easy as possible to read and understand, I wrote it in chronological order — until I couldn’t.
Our region’s early newspapers
Echuca got the jump on us in various ways — including newspapers. This was because theirs was bigger than ours — I speak of rivers, of course. We fought hard to break away from their control, including that wonderful story about tricking their armed guard at the shire building. Anyway, the Riverine Herald was established in 1863. The Waranga Echo was launched in Rushworth in 1868 but folded in 1869 — possibly due to a new publication emerging. It was the Waranga Chronicle — renamed the Rushworth Chronicle in 1886. It survived until 1977. The Goulburn Advertiser was also launched, in Murchison, in 1873. It later became the Murchison Advertiser and survived until 1962.
The first newspaper, in Greater Shepparton, was published in 1877. This was printed in Mooroopna by a local farmer named John Lewis. (No connection with our John Lewis of soaring talent. Unless, of course, this one also came from Wales — then who knows?) The paper had an astonishing title, the Toolamba Telegraph and Mooroopna, Shepparton, Arcadia and Murchison Advertiser.
The same year, Thomas Haslam came to town, with a printing plant — from Echuca, by bullock power. Unfortunately, he was on the wrong side of the river and it took him two days, using McGuire’s Punt, to get the plant across the water to Shepp. He started the Shepparton News with some fanfare. He had brought a quantity of musical instruments with him; and sold them one Saturday. Thirty concertinas plus mouth organs, Jew’s harps and flutes were sold that afternoon. Apparently, the people of Shepp were pining for some music.
The News was published weekly, on Thursdays and cost sixpence. The price was reduced to threepence, three years later. It was a broadsheet, four pages in the early days — carrying 80 per cent advertising. The editorial content was largely reports of community meetings.
Mr Lewis promptly, and wisely, changed the name of his paper to the Mooroopna and Toolamba Telegraph. This was purchased by the West Brothers, who named it the Goulburn Valley Yeoman. It changed hands regularly until 1934, when it became the Mooroopna News and Goulburn Valley Yeoman — owned by Messrs Green and Doyle. It was sold to a Mr McNeil, who closed it in 1939 due to health problems.
John Lewis went on to publish the Tatura Guardian and, in 1880 had another try at Shepp with the Shepparton Chronicle. Mr T. Pettitt purchased it, early in its life, and sold it to Stephen Haisman in 1885. Mr. Haisman changed its name to the Shepparton Advertiser. His brother, Ernest, took over the paper in 1906 and sold it to Messrs Furze and Jacobs in 1914.
In 1887, a Congupna farmer, Colin McPherson, formed a partnership with James Caldwell and William Callender and purchased the Victorian Farmers Gazette. This publication had been established the year before and was, eventually, incorporated into the Shepparton Advertiser.
By this time, Mr Haslam had sold the Shepparton News to Gordon Middleton — and Colin McPherson sold his interest in the Gazette and purchased this newspaper from Mr Middleton (1887). In 1892 a Wharfedale cylinder press (gas driven) replaced the old hand press.
Mr McPherson was unwell and was forced to lease the newspaper to three employees — Messrs Morgan, Horan and Simpson. After Mr McPherson’s death, the new owners of The News were Mr Morgan and Mrs J. McPherson. (The photo was taken in the late 19th century, with Colin McPherson on the left.)
Jack and Frank Furze published the Shepparton Advertiser until 1934, when it was purchased by Senator R.D. Elliott. The Advertiser was purchased by the News in 1953. (There is a great deal more to this particular story, which I’ll tell you next week.)
As the region grew
The railways came in 1880 — and so did many more residents. The region was growing and townships were now connected.
Around this time, a man named Sidney Gullette launched a competition newspaper to the Tatura Guardian; however, the Guardian survived the attempt. In March 1881, a new newspaper emerged in Numurkah. It was the Numurkah Standard and Wunghnu Nathalia and Goulburn District Advocate. It was sold by Lachlan Macdonald to his printer, George Salas, within five weeks. The paper claimed to be the ‘official organ of the Shire of Shepparton’.
Mr Salas also launched the Nathalia Herald, in 1884, and sold the Standard, in 1886, to N.B. McKay.
The Shepparton News
Four generations of the McPherson family have guided this newspaper through 135 years. However, although there were some good times, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing — and its story is well worth sharing.
Because, just right now, you probably don’t want to read another word about newspapers, I’ll tell this story next week — and finish this column with some trivia of my own.
The cancelling do-gooders
When I read that overweight Santas should be banned from shopping centres, I had a good laugh. Apparently, they are a bad example to the little ones. Does anyone, for one second, think Santa is a role model? Have you heard a child say he wants to be Santa when he grows up? Of course not! They are not thinking about gaining weight, or looking like him; they just want him to keep bringing presents.
However, I found nothing funny in the people telling us that the words ‘mum’ and ‘dad’ should be banned. How ridiculous! How sad! How confusing for little people to be told they should call their mummy and daddy Heather and John! I’m not ignorant of the fact that there are solid, good families with two mums — or two dads. (Maybe one is Daddy and one is Dad — or maybe one is Don and one is Tim. These are individual decisions to be made by each family.) It’s not a matter for the ‘word police’ or the ‘cancelling committee’. I do so wish these people would find something worthwhile to do with their lives — and leave ours alone.
You’ve gotta laugh!
A couple of Christmases ago, my family decided that the adults would do a Kris Kringle; none of us is wealthy enough to continue giving to everyone, especially as the family grows. Everyone buys for the children — but there’s very few left under 18.
Anyway, the point is that no-one wants to draw my husband’s name, because he is ridiculously hard to buy for. He rarely goes out, spends his days and evenings reading from Vision Australia’s library and repeatedly says he wants for nothing. Trying to help out the loser of the draw (our second grandson), this year I persevered.
“You hate shaving. Why don’t you want a battery shaver? You could shave in your chair when you are feeling lazy, which is often.” His reply: “I’ve got an electric one — had it for years.” “Okay,” says I. “Why aren’t you using it?” Him: “Because our eldest grandson took it apart and I reckon it could electrocute me.” Now, this would have to be many years ago — our eldest grandson is 28 years old. There is logic here somewhere, but deeply hidden.
Second grandson bought a battery shaver and rang me with another idea. “Why don’t I buy him a decent headset?” (my husband uses earphones to read). Me: “I’ve tried that. He said that headsets hurt his ears.” Second grandson was undeterred: “Not if I buy him good ones.”
The outcome! My husband has had a shave every day, including Christmas Day (which hasn’t happened since he retired). He loves his headset, repeatedly telling me it is easier and more comfortable. So, what do I know? I have only shared his life for 60 (very) odd years!
Speaking of the eldest
When he was five years old, the first grandson was page boy at his uncle’s wedding. Standing in front of the large mirror, in his hired suit, I heard him say “Bond – James Bond”. (This was prior to messing with the shaver.) But I reckon he looks more like Bond in this selfie he just sent me from a Point Lonsdale balcony. (The purpose of sending it, is to prove to me that he isn’t working right now … ’cos I worry about him. Obviously I don’t have to concern myself at the moment!) By the time you read this, he’ll be working on the curriculums or curricula — if you are up with your Latin. (I had to look it up.) A smile would have killed him?
The last to go!
I’ve started putting some of the Christmas decorations away because there are many; the tree, alone, is a two-day job — and that looms. However, every year, my little grey reindeer are the last to be packed up. I’d be happy for them to keep me company all year around — except people would laugh, especially the family. Aren’t they cute though?
The new year
Some ‘smart’ new year greetings have been finding their way on to my phone. The one annoying me the most says ‘Make way for 2023’. Sorry? If this has been bothering you too — a response could be ‘No! 2023 can make way for me.’ Say it out loud — it feels good!
May it be easy, my friends,
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Letter: Town Talk. Shepparton News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.
Phone: Send a text on 0418 962 507. (Note: text only. I will call you back, if you wish.)