Town Talk

As I mentioned last week, the Shepparton News was launched in 1877, when Mr Haslem brought a printing press from Echuca.

The exact date is unknown due to a destructive fire in the News office some years later.

However, on March 1, 1877, the Melbourne Argus and The Age reported having received the first issue of The News.

As a result, it is safe enough to assume the first publication was in late February.

Colin McPherson

The newspaper changed hands a couple of times and, in 1888, was purchased by Colin McPherson – a Congupna farmer.

Colin and his wife Jean, had taken a lease on 126.3 hectares (312 acres) between Congupna and Tallygaroopna.

It grew to over 283.3ha (700 acres) as more leases were absorbed.

Substantial improvements had been made to the property and free titles were issued in 1884.

However, Colin suffered from bronchial asthma and needed a career change.

By all reports, Colin ran a solid newspaper – however, his health continued to deteriorate.

With no children old enough to take over, he leased the paper to three employees – Messrs. Morgan, Horan and Simpson – in 1900.

Colin went to the Pacific Islands, hoping for improvement in his condition. However, he died in 1901, aged just 46.

Mr Morgan and Jean McPherson took over the newspaper until Colin’s sons were ready.

Malcolm, the eldest, was a printer, and Roy returned from an apprenticeship at the Essendon Gazette.

Mr Morgan resigned from the partnership in May 1913 and bought the Kyabram Free Press and Tatura Guardian.

Malcolm and Roy McPherson now owned the Shepparton News.

Roy McPherson

In January 1915, Malcolm joined the 4th Light Horse Regiment and was wounded at Gallipoli.

He died in a Gibraltar Hospital in November of that year.

Roy managed alone until his younger brother Douglas joined him in 1918.

Doug became a partner in 1925.

Roy developed a reputation as a responsible publisher and progressive printer; however, there was strong competition in the town.

The Shepparton Chronicle changed ownership and titles twice before becoming the Shepparton Advertiser.

In 1921, it was bought by Henry Furze, who had recently arrived in Shepparton from Mildura.

After he died in 1929, his sons took control.

There were financial difficulties and they asked Senator R.D. Elliott to invest in the company, Goulburn Valley Newspapers, which also published the Goulburn Valley Yeoman (formerly the Mooroopna and Toolamba Telegraph).

Senator Elliott had a growing provincial newspaper chain – and he wanted to purchase both The Advertiser and The News to amalgamate the two into a daily paper.

Roy McPherson was not interested and Senator Elliot is reported to have said that he would put The News out of business in six months.

The fight was on and the gloves were off.

Senator Elliott obtained 25 per cent of the local company and became a director.

That day, they issued an additional 1367 share to New Sunraysia Daily Pty. Ltd. – and a Mildura Newspaper Group now controlled The Advertiser, which still had financial difficulties.

Senator Elliott lent them money – and the paper became a daily publication in May 1934.

It contained national and cable news – as well as local information.

The News carried local content and it regularly (and wisely) reminded its readers.

For example, on April 26, 1934, it carried 564 column inches of reading material.

Of this, only 11 inches was reprinted from elsewhere – and that was a locally relevant story from the Kyabram Free Press.

Jack and Frank Furze resigned from The Advertiser and were employed by The News for many years.

The ‘newspaper war’ continued for 20 years before the board of the struggling G.V. Newspapers Pty. Ltd. decided ‘to do all we can to enable The News to buy The Advertiser’.

The News obliged and became a tri-weekly publication on July 1, 1953.

Roy McPherson worked until he died in 1960.

He had become a towering figure in the newspaper industry.

He was on the board of Victorian Country Press Association for more than 30 years – and their first life member.

He was also a board member of the Australian Provincial Press Association for 26 years.

His 46-year management of The News included the depression and two world wars.

Fortunately, he had a son.

Don McPherson

By the time Don joined The News in 1946, he had studied accounting and engineering and fought a war. (My note: I think he would also like me to tell you that in his youth, he had delivered many, many thousands of newspapers.)

He spent six months tidying up the books, worked in the composing room and then became a journalist.

After a fire in 1951, he spent a couple of years organising the construction of new premises.

The new building was three times the size of the original, however, it rapidly became too small – with the integration of The Advertiser and the installation of a twin Cossar press.

Don became assistant manager in 1953.

The 1960s has been described as a ‘dog eat dog’ time for media.

The Melbourne newspapers were cashed up with money from their television stations and they were poking their noses around small country papers.

Don decided to put a few out of reach and, over time, purchased the Seymour Telegraph in 1961, Nathalia Herald in 1962, Kyabram Free Press and Tatura Guardian in 1966, Riverine Herald and Rochester Irrigator in 1969 and the Elmore Standard in 1980. (The Elmore and Rochester papers were combined into the Campaspe Valley News.)

However, a new era in print technology had arrived and the costs were high.

McPherson Newspapers allowed David Syme (publishers of The Age) to take a 35 per cent interest.

Over the next few years, as family members exited, it grew to 46.7 per cent and was finally brought back, wholly under family control, in 1998.

In July 1968, The News was printed on a new five unit Goss Community offset press. (The first of its kind in regional Australia).

Don set out to establish the first central printing plant in the regions.

Over the next few years, there were many new innovations for printing – and The News tested many of them – as the printing business grew.

The mastheads Don had purchased were a major factor in growth.

The shortage of space had been solved by the commercial printing arm of the business moving in 1961 and in 1963 the newspaper also moved to a building next door – still in High St.

However, as the years passed, the growth inevitably made shortage of space an issue once again.

In 1972, The News became an afternoon daily.

In the early 80’s, Don was preparing for retirement.

Between them, Roy and Don McPherson had spent 69 years as directors of Victorian Country Press Association; Don offering ‘visionary leadership’ as chairman for 14 years.

My note: I simply can’t let this opportunity pass.

I considered Don a friend; well after his retirement as managing director, he continued to offer his support.

He rarely missed my birthday – and was more excited about a promotion than I was.

I believe he was a tough boss – and a father with high expectations of his sons – but I never saw any of that.

I have memories of many, many short but valuable conversations. In my opinion, Don McPherson was a newspaper giant and, yes, a visionary.

Don surprised his sons, Ross and Chris, by retiring at 60 in 1985, just as he always said he would.

Over the next few years, they purchased the Midland Times in 1985, the Benalla City Press in 1986, The Pastoral Times (Deniliquin), the Cobram Courier and the Southern Riverina News (Finley) in 1988.

They also launched the hugely popular, Country News.

They purchased land at Melbourne Rd, Kialla, and the new home for the group opened in June 1988 – a century after Colin purchased The News.

The History Hub

The Shepparton News archives are now under the care of the Shepparton Historical Society.

The History Hub is yet to be officially opened but the newspapers, containing so much of local history, are available to the public.

Simply visit the museum during opening hours.

During my most recent visit, I was delighted by the passionate care shown by the ladies on duty; many hours of work have gone into the hub and our history has ‘guardian angels’.

I’d like to tell you more about these dedicated people – perhaps when our hub is officially opened.

‘Artistic’ endeavours

Just before Christmas, I felt the urge to try painting – yet again.

However, more than 30 years of responding to these urges, has conclusively proved my complete lack of talent.

I controlled myself and bought one of those ‘paint by numbers’ jobs.

I had tried a simple one once, with an artistically gifted seven-year-old, who was bored within minutes.

This particular purchase was intended for very patient adults with good eyesight.

It was a scene of Paris – the most beautiful city I have ever seen – and the original painting was also beautiful.

However, it has been divided into (somewhere around) 2500, mostly minute, sections. (I did some calculations – just for you – and it is probably closer to 3000.)

I am a reasonably patient person, particularly with children and well-intentioned adults – but I looked at the task and laughed, a lot.

I remembered the excitement, the potential, the hope and the freedom of a blank canvas.

Also, my eyesight is not wonderful and I found I could see it more clearly without my glasses; just had to be careful not to get too much paint on my nose.

I estimate I am about one 10th of the way through – but, if I ever finish it, I’ll take a pic to show you.

Don’t expect it before Easter, however.

Did you read that former President Trump has been banned from the White House?

Yep. It is forbiden!

Keep yourselves comfortable and 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)