The news makers of their time
THEY have seen it all.
Humanity at its best …. and worst. Tragedy, trauma and unbelievable devastation. Bushfires, floods, droughts and tsunami. Murders, riots and drownings.
And at the other end of the spectrum, exposing the wonders of nature and the diverse characters who were once revered but have since been consigned to memory in an increasingly sterilised society.
This eclectic group of individuals have reported on some of the nation’s biggest stories; others have been hands-on in presenting news that became history.
Not that you would know. For to uncover their remarkable careers you have to prise open the detail, the who, what, when and where. Ironically, the same questions they used as their essential tools of trade.
Every November, they gather to celebrate the birthday of the Geelong Advertiser and honour its founding editor/inventor James Harrison. This year, one of Australia’s leading regionals turned 181, a monumental achievement in the oscillating world of media.
The Advertiser has stood the test of time, surviving economic ebbs and flows, ownership changes and various management styles.
This year’s guests also have stood the test of time. Incredibly, they have spent 396 years in the media – and counting – representing a treasure trove of accumulated knowledge, wisdom and experience.
None have lost their love of the language, forgotten the adrenalin rush of chasing a major story or the satisfaction of seeing their efforts in print. Likewise, the competitive streak that often gave them an edge over competitors remains, albeit with a hint of mellowness brought on by age.
The 2021 line-up was particularly notable for four editors past and present, two general managers, senior writers, a former picture editor, production/ financial specialists and two VIPs (see later). Most joined the paper, stayed for a time, then moved on to bigger things. Some returned, once, twice; others left Geelong forever but never forgot their time here. Some never left. Two completed their cadetships and a number still offer up contributions to continue a passion, writing.
All made significant contributions in some shape or form, and following is a snapshot of some indelible moments in their illustrious careers.
Former chief of staff Geoff Easdown, a terrier of the old school, became the go-to for major yarns at the Melbourne Herald.
He has an incredible trifecta to his name, covering the executions of drug traffickers Barlow and Chambers in Malaysia, the collapse of Ansett Airlines and the Continental Airlines scandal that claimed a governor and senior VicPol officers.
John Craven, a key player on The Herald’s star-studded sports team, not only “discovered” gumboot running potato farmer Cliffy Young from Beech Forrest, but encouraged him to enter the gruelling 875km Sydney to Melbourne ultra-marathon. He won by 10 hours, with John covering every painful step.
John also collaborated on a book on sprinting great Raelene Boyle. The revelation she was sent a $6000 cheque by the then federal government shortly after withdrawing from the Australian team in the US-led boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics stirred rumours of a pay-off around the world.
The Advertiser has always been blessed with exceptional photographic talent and Mike Dugdale was – and remains – in this elite company. He still vividly recalls the horrific 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires, the Wettenhall murders at Ceres and the Pyramid disaster.
Aussie rules whiz Ian Cover, who became a Coodabeen Champion and dabbled in politics, covered football royalty Bruce Peake arriving by helicopter at Kardinia Park in ’81 and “ghosting” columns for the greatest ruckrover combination in history, Polly Farmer and Bill Goggin.
Garry Walsh, a production guru, left Geelong to work in Papua New Guinea and finally headed up
News Ltd’s production of its vast Sydney stable. The standout stories in which he was involved were the death of Princess Diana, 9/11 and the tragic death of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin.
Several have produced books, none more inspirational than Kevin Norbury’s The Improbable Reporter, which tells how he overcame polio and bigotry to achieve his dream of becoming a journalist. He started small and finished at the top, earning a Walkley Award several years before another Advertiser stalwart, Dale Jennings.
The VIPs? Conservationist Trevor Pescott has been writing a weekly piece for the Geelong Advertiser for 61 years. He is Australia’s longest continuous mainstream columnist, an achievement unlikely to be surpassed. Fishing expert Geoff Wilson has been penning columns for 41 years and, like his colleague, knows more about his field of expertise than any other.
Yet this is just the tip of the iceberg of the talent and experience of the people who have passed through the Geelong Advertiser’s portals. Perhaps there is another book there.
As for the old team? They will gather again next year for another birthday, to reminisce, and while their numbers thin with time they will be replaced by others with equally remarkable credentials.
THE ADVERTISER HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME, SURVIVING ECONOMIC EBBS AND FLOWS, OWNERSHIP CHANGES AND VARIOUS MANAGEMENT STYLES. THIS YEAR’S GUESTS ALSO HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME. INCREDIBLY, THEY HAVE SPENT 396 YEARS IN THE MEDIA — AND COUNTING