'Vale' the print version of 'The Herbert River Express'

Herbert River Express Office 1908. Source:
HSC Library Photograph Collection.

In 2020 as it looks as if we are being forced by News Corp to abandon the print version of the local newspaper 'The Herbert River Express' there has been an outpouring of shock and sadness that an accessible means of community communication is being lost forever. The answer may be in an entrepreneurial individual starting an independent newspaper as was undertaken in Ingham in 1894.

Originally there were two newspapers in the Herbert River Valley. The first edition of Ingham’s first newspaper, the ‘Ingham Planter’, came out in 1894, printed on a plant brought to Ingham by M.P. Fitzgerald from Ravenswood. The Ingham Printing Press which produced the ‘Ingham Planter’ was owned by Alston Rowland Simpson and was situated in the main street of Ingham in the vicinity of the present-day Lee’s Hotel. Associated with this first newspaper was H.J. Hoffensetz who described that first paper as a “demi-folio sheet” format. Some years later Halifax’s ‘The Northern Age’, with Captain Alfred Henry as editor, provided a little short-lived opposition. 

The ‘Ingham Planter and 'The Northern Age' amalgamated after less than a year in 1900, when 'The Northern Age' was bought by A.R. Simpson from Onslow Waller (a first planter of the district). The new publication was given the name the ‘Northern Planter’. The paper was then sold to Mr. Nolan and Mr. Russell. Around this time H.J. Hoffensetz resigned from the ‘Northern Planter’ with the intention to go out on his own. As a result, the first edition of ‘The Herbert River Express’ owned by the brothers-in-law A.C. Cockrell and H.J. Hoffensetz came out in February 1904. This paper was a twelve-page demi-folio weekly, which later was increased to eighteen pages. The name for the paper was presumably chosen because the new newspaper was to service the entire Herbert River Valley. From 1904 until 1906 the ‘Northern Planter’ and ‘The Herbert River Express’ published concurrently and in opposition. IN 1906, the ‘Northern Planter’ was absorbed into ‘The Herbert River Express’. H.J. Hoffensetz ran the general printing section while A.C. Cockrell was the editor of the newspaper.

Cyclone damage to printing press of the 'Northern Age' and 'Ingham Planter' 1890. Source: HSC Shire Library Photograph collection.

‘The Herbert River Express’ and its predecessors have withstood trials and tribulations before. There was the devastating cyclone destruction of 1890.  In World War 1 machinery parts for the printing press were unavailable and with a temporary shortage of paper, the paper was printed on brown paper and displayed in the shopfront window for passers-by to read. Changes in the ownership occurred during those war years with full ownership of ‘The Herbert River Express’ being acquired by A.C. Cockrell in 1915 effectively dissolving the partnership with H.J. Hoffensetz who then continued to run the printing and stationary business.

Herbert River Express Registered Printer Office and H.J. Hoffensetz General Printer, 1919. Source: HSC Library Photograph Collection.

During World War 2 the editorial “was even-handed in its treatment of the Italian issue, while quick to denounce excessive anti-Italian statements, whatever their source.” (W.A. Douglass, From Italy to Ingham, 160) It would also publish Italian language advertisements.

In 1968 the printing business, still being run at the time by a Hoffensetz, was ought back by the Cockrells. The combined business (United Press and ‘The Herbert River Express’) continued to be run by a Cockrell until it was sold to the North Queensland Newspaper Company Limited (a branch of New Limited owned by Mr. Rupert Murdoch) in 1986 ending an 82 year history of family-ownership. Robert “Bob” L. Shepherd who had become editor in around 1954  stayed on as Managing Editor and was optimistic about the sale saying that it was “a progressive step for the newspaper and of the strongest expressions of faith in the future of this district in very many years.” He was there to oversee the change from ‘hot metal’ printing methods to the installation of high-speed web offset press, computer and other related equipment which revolutionized not only the printing process but the appearance of the newspaper. However, the newspaper and district suffered a great loss only three years after the sale when in March 1989 Bob died, aged only 60 years. He was the editor of ‘The Herbert River Express’ for 35 years. He wasn’t a local ‘boy’ but nevertheless had a passionate interest in the history of what he clearly regarded as his valley. From his position as newspaper editor, and friend of the Cockrell family, he collected information about the district for what came to be known as ‘The Herbert River Story’ which is now housed in the Hinchinbrook Shire Council Library Local History Collection.

In the flood of 2009 the staff of ‘The Herbert River Express’ was selfless. The paper normally had a staff of ten, but had to operate with five after the rest became stranded by the floods. Of those five who made it to work, four had homes damaged by water but nevertheless reported for work. The paper had to be delivered by helicopter and boat.

There was time when the newspaper included international news but now international news it accessed via the ‘Townsville Bulletin’, television or the internet. ‘The Herbert River Express kept to a narrow brief of keeping locals informed of local happenings. Despite being criticized by locals for its content, the emphasis of its content or even for lack of content it is a much appreciated and essential service and its delivery is sorely missed when it doesn’t happen, as in flood times. As of 2020 this ‘essential’ service is to end.

Once printed locally it was by this time printed in tabloid format in Townsville and in 2009 returned to a bi-weekly publication (Thursday and Saturday) and in recent times was reduced to one edition a week on a Wednesday with online availability.

‘The Herbert River Express’ has seen many editors come and go in recent times. However, in earlier times the newspaper editor was a highly valued and prominent member of local society. Such was Robert L. Shepherd. When he died there was such an outpouring of grief that his funeral – an ecumenical service – was held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church because it was the largest church building. In a ‘Vale’ to Bob, it was said that “He was an intrinsic part of the district he loved- a veritable walking history of this community and his death leaves a gap that no one will entirely fill”. In retrospect, I believe we will find that the abandoning of the print version of ‘The Herbert River Express’ will not only leave a gap but a chasm.

Source:

Vidonja Balanzategui, Bianka. The Herbert River Story.  Ingham: Hinchinbrook Shire Council, 2011.