General News
3 July, 2024
Our colourful newspaper history
This week’s contribution from the Rainbow Archival and Historical Society explores the history of newspaper printing in Rainbow, and includes this photograph from "Rainbow of Today: the great wheat growing district of Victoria", which was compiled in 1910 by J.E. Robertson.
How fortunate we are to have an almost unbroken record of our town and district in print, thanks to the Rainbow Argus (or the Rainbow Times as it was known for a time).
The history of newspapers in Rainbow was established by George B. Donnithorne on October 13 1906.
At its commencement, editor George R. Riby (pictured) proclaimed:
“Today we submit to the general public the first issue of the Rainbow Argus, and we hope soon - as we settle down to our new surroundings - to be able to place before our readers a newspaper which we believe will meet with their approval.
“At the outset we may state that we have every faith in the township of Rainbow and the neighbouring district, and we think that our starting a newspaper here needs no apology; nor is it our intention to offer any.”
The Federal Street premises soon attracted a legion of business advertisers, “Lost and Found”s, train timetables, sports reports, schedules for everything from concerts, public meetings of all descriptions and church times
Reports were printed from community organisations and a lively “Letters to the Editor” frequently aroused keen opinions.
The following year, editor George R. Riby took over the Argus himself.
He was a stalwart townsman and a meticulous record-keeper, and The Archive holds boxes of his records.
Riby Snr ran the newspaper until his death in 1936, after which his son, J. C. Riby conducted the business.
During the Depression, War Years and for a good part of the 1950s when money was tight, many businesses struggled, and J. C. Riby closed the Argus with his final issue on February 23, 1962.
Things looked bleak for the newspaper, and Rainbow was without a paper until April 12, when Kevin Wishart took over, rebadging the “local” as the Rainbow News.
Since then, the paper has had a number of hard-working leaders: Anne Simms, Robert Long, Craig Houston and David Ward.
Premises have also changed along Federal Street, and the newspaper’s office is now located in King Street, where once Mrs W. Coustley conducted her Crown Cafe.
Over the years, an army of local correspondents have penned their individual pieces to the weekly, with a mix of news, events and reflections.
I always loved the regular thoughtful and informed bird-life items by Frank Noelker, and still chuckle at the interesting, creative and detailed work by current contributors.
- From Rainbow Archives and Historical Society's Peter Ralph.