Generational change as editor bids for gardening leave

Jan 15, 2019 at 01:40 am by Staff


A fourth-generation family member could be a lifesaver for the 130-year-old Hillston and Ivanhoe Spectator as 87-year-old Patrick O'Sullivan plans his retirement.

The tiny central-west NSW tabloid - still printed sheetfed 110 kms away in Griffith - gained fame this week with a report from national broadcaster the ABC that it could close if a buyer did not come forward.

But O'Sullivan and his son Dave, who runs Ultraprint in Griffith say there is a possibility his graphic designer granddaughter Megan could take it over. ""We'll be making a decision in the next few weeks," he says. "I hope the business will continue and my readers say they want it to go on as the source of local news.

O'Sullivan has served 60 years as editor, taking over ten years after joining his father Percy in the business when he was 14. But now, he says, "I am ready to spend time in my garden."

Patrick and his wife Maisie have devoted much of their life to producing the newspaper, which is currently laid out and printed by his son at Ultraprint, with his daughter Angela helping out with copy preparation when it goes to press on Tuesday.

The ABC reported that the newspaper had been on the market for several months without securing a buyer and had O'Sullivan admitting that "the asking price maybe doesn't correspond to the overall income of the paper".

With "serious thought" being given to Megan bringing new life to the 500-circulation publication, the family will make a decision in a few weeks.

The business was first established in 1889, and in Patrick's time, staff has been limited to three apprentices, including Dave.

Letterpress equipment including an old Heidelberg platen is still scattered around the Hillston office, as is metal and wooden type, with Maisie recalling her days as a linotype operator. But the Spectator is making use of the computer age, with most copy contributed emailed direct to Dave in Griffith.

"A few contributors do not have computers, and they send handwritten copy to the office where it is typed and emailed over to me," he says. "Life is much easier in today's email world."

It takes around three hours on Tuesday afternoons to put the paper together with no subbing but a few headlines, plus council ads and classifieds "depending on what is happening in town".

After printing late on Tuesday afternoon, it is folded the following morning and sent by taxi truck to Hillston for collating and delivery.

While there is some advertising, Dave reckons "someone young and vigorous" could build it up again.

"It's probably about time dad retired," he says. "He has put his life into it."

If a fourth generation does pick up the baton, the family O'Sullivan will be continuing their supporting roles, at least for a time. And that letterpress equipment and type are probably destined for a printing museum somewhere.

Maggie Coleman

Pictured top: Patrick and Maisie O'Sullivan and (above) Dave O'Sullivan and daughter Megan; (right) How the ABC broke the story, with Patrick O'Sullivan viewing a letterpress platen at the Hillston offices

Sections: Newsmedia industry

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