GASAA - The First 70 Years

The story of the Graphic Arts Services Association of Australia - 1923 to 1993

Author: Max J Farley
Publisher: The Graphic Arts Services Association of Australia
Copyright 1993 ISBN 0 646 12857 4

Downloadable PDF Version coming

Contents

1. Early Days (1908 - 23)
2. The "First" Federation (1923 - 1938)
3. The "New" Federation (1938)
4. The Issues
5. GASAAs' "Names"
6. GASAA Conventions
7. GASAA Companies
8. GASAA People
9. Bibliography

On arrival at a picnic spot at Royal National Park, Sydney – 1921
Standing: W.T Baker, A.A. Lawson Jnr, A. Lyell, E.R. Morris, F.A. Randle Snr, A.A. Lawson Snr, E.J. Hyde Snr.
Sitting: F.Middows, J.Patterson, G. Woods.
(Several others are unidentified)

Foreword

For many years the GASAA Executive has been keen to have someone prepare a history of the organisation. It has never been done.
This is partly because the "someone" has not been found who was prepared to undertake the work and partly, I suspect, because the word "history" was seen as too intimidating. It implies a scholarly project of major magnitude and largely devoid of human interest. The project, perhaps for that reason alone, failed to capture the enthusiasm of any likely author.
In putting together the following pages I have therefore conscientiously avoided approaching the task as a "history".
The word "story" is, I hope, more appropriate.

Emphasis throughout has not been upon policy issues nor on conflicts with trade unions, governments and fellow employers but upon people. Some brief reference to the activities of the Association are included but this has mainly been done to provide balance.
From its original formation in 1923 as the Master Process Engravers Association of Australia, through its several name changes and the traumas of the Great Depression and World War II, GASAA has always drawn its strength from the hundreds of individuals who have given it their support. These have been Proprietors and Senior Executives not only of "full members" (trade houses) but also of "Associates" (supply houses) because the latter, too, have been major contributors to the story of GASAA.
The organisation has achieved much for its members and also for what we now call the "pre-press" section of the printing industry. Nevertheless, whenever members gather they talk not of the past achievements but of the enjoyment they have had in each others' company over the years.
It is this bond of friendship upon which GASAA has been built. It is why the Association has constantly shown great resilience in riding through the threats to its continued existence which have been posed from time to time by the unions, other associations, economic hardship and, more recently, technological change.
Whilesoever pre-press people continue to share and expand their knowledge and take pride in being at the cutting edge of the graphic arts, GASAA will itself seek to adapt its own structure and activities to help them do so.
It is appropriate to record my own thanks to a number of people.
First and foremost I record my gratitude to the Executive of GASAA for the strong support it has given me with regard to the production of this "story". Certainly it was the Executive's own initiative which caused its preparation in the first place but the Executive's willingness to accept without question my own proposals concerning its content has been most pleasing.

Appreciation is also extended to many individuals. These include Fred Randle, Bill Ryan, Jim Parker, Tom Roache and many unnamed others (such as Wal Theaker and Bill Devers whom I do name) for help in supplying and checking facts. Record, too, is made of the work done by Ken Gillies and his colleagues in the Victorian Association for supervising the production and printing of the volume.

Finally I'd like to place on record my thanks to the GASAA Secretary/Treasurer (Garry Knespal of Association Management Pty Ltd) who as my present "employer" and current Secretary/Treasurer of GASAA has been unreservedly generous of his own and his company's time in allowing me to work on the project and in providing essential staff support.

MAX J FARLEY

Healesville, Victoria 1923
The First National Executive
Back Row:
Jno. Patterson (Vic) Vice President
G W Illingworth (SA) Vice President
S A Best (QLD) Vice President
Front Row:
E J Hyde (NSW) Hon. Secretary-Treasurer
FA Randle (NSW) (President)

Delegates attending the Third Conference of the M.P.E.A.,
Warburton, Victoria, 1929.

Back Row:
A. Hughes, J.C. Smith, L.E. Courtin, C.B. Shugg, H.R. Wheeler, J. Enticott, E.J. Martin, T. Smith.
Second Row:
T.G. Coventry, T.W. Brown, C.P. Theaker, E. Howard, H.S. Elderfield, G. Hughes, W.T. Baker.
Front Row:
C.P. Shugg, C.H. Taylor, E.E. James, E.S. Bolle.

 

 

EARLY DAYS (1908-23)

This is the story of GASAA at the national level but reference to events before the formation of the Federal body in 1923 is necessary in order to acquire a more complete feeling for the people involved in the unfolding events to come.
As was the case with most of Australia's trade associations the formation of the Federal, or National, body grew from the earlier activities of State groups. At the turn of the century commerce and manufacturing were conducted primarily in Melbourne and Sydney. This led to State Associations usually being established first in those two States.

THE STATE ASSOCIATIONS

New South Wales

On 29 May 1908 a meeting of "photo engravers" was held at the Criterion Hotel in Sydney to, as the chairman (S W Bacon) put it, "try and come to an arrangement whereby the no minimum charge could be done away with and a minimum price fixed".<
Those present in addition to S W Bacon, were W T Baker, F A Randle, J Winston, E J Hyde, E J Martin, A A Lawson, E R Morris, F Waite, C Wiseheart (representing H B Bell) and E A Bradford.
The Chairman added to his opening remarks by saying that "if an Association were formed several other matters of mutual advantage to Photo Engravers could also be dealt with". In these modern days, with price fixing both impractical and unlawful, it is not just several of those "other matters" which occupy the agendas but a whole host of them. At the meeting "Mr Hyde proposed and Mr Lawson seconded that those present form themselves into an association to be called the Master Process Engravers Association". The motion was carried and the association formed. E A Bradford was appointed Secretary and E J Hyde Treasurer. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to discussion of prices. (E A Bradford was not an engraver himself but a commercial artist said to be located in Hunter Street and later in Jameson St. He apparently became involved because of his business connection with photo engravers).

Discussions over the next several years revolved around price matters, membership and discounts although wider horizons opened with problems regarding tariff duties on electros, and stereos and the price of electric current. With regard to customs duties, S W Bacon said he had written to Messrs Patterson and Shugg in Melbourne on the matter. This was the first reference in NSW to interstate contact.
On 22 July 1909 mention was made of what was to become a major and still continuing role for GASAA. It was decided "that the Executive of the Master Process Engravers Association is prepared to meet the Executive of the Photo Engravers Union to discuss their wages log".
NSW became registered as an industrial union of employers under the NSW Act in 1924 "through the able and energetic work of Mr E J Hyde who piloted the Association through many knotty legal problems". The words come from the 1924 NSW Annual Report.

Victoria

The Victorian Association played a major role in encouraging interstate liaison. For example, its Honorary Secretary, Mr Richard Linton (later Sir Richard), visited Sydney in 1914 to explain to Sydney members details of Victorian activities. So far as the NSW minutes are concerned this is the first recorded face-to-face contact between the two State Associations.

R Linton was associated with the supply house of Middows Bros. He later became a life member of the Victorian Association, a Member of the Legislative Assembly and in 1933 was appointed Victorian Agent-General in London.

Unfortunately there are no surviving records of the early days of the Victorian Association.
The oldest available minute book dates only as far back as 1925 but the Association was formed well before that. It was certainly in existence on 26 October 1909 as it was referred to in the NSW Minutes on that date. At the third Annual Dinner of the Victorian employees' body (the Victorian Process Engravers Association) on 29 May 1915 there was a formal Toast to
"The Master Process Engravers Association".

In 1931 a number of Victorian members faced up to the price cutting crisis of the Depression period. In what was clearly an orchestrated move they arranged the disbandment of the association at a General Meeting on 15 June. Surprisingly it was also resolved to hand over any surplus funds to the Victorian Process Engravers Association, better known as "The Union". On the following day, 16 June, a further meeting was held and a new association formed. Not all the members of the previous association were invited into membership of the new body. This was one way to get rid of unwanted members!

Victoria was host to the first "conference" between the NSW and Victorian Associations. This was held in Melbourne in 1915.

In 1920 the Victorian Association played an important role in helping the South Australian Association establish itself.

South Australia

The South Australian Association was formed in December 1920 or January 1921. Interstate members, including C B Shugg and A Lyell of Melbourne and F A Randle Snr of Sydney attended the inaugural meeting and lent their support. S R Delmont of Adelaide had been a motivating figure in the move.

Queensland

NSW received correspondence from S A Best of Brisbane on 3 December 1914 asking for particulars of the NSW Association "as they were starting one in Brisbane". The Association must have been soon formed because in 1917 it issued its first price list. An independent report claims the Queensland Association was established in 1918 through the good offices of A A Lawson (Snr) and E J Hyde of the NSW Association. The truth is lost in time but now of little consequence.

Western Australia

The Western Australia Association was "admitted to the Federal Association" in 1926. It did not, however, play a really active role until the 1950's.

INFORMAL INTERSTATE CO-OPERATION

The early minute books of the NSW (from 1908) and Victorian (from 1925) Associations are all that are available prior to Federal minutes being written in 1938. If any records of the "first" Federation (1923-38) exist their location is currently unknown. The records that are available disclose gradually increasing contact between photo-engravers in the different States.

On 7 September 1914, R Linton, the Honorary Secretary of the Victorian Master Process Engravers Association, met representatives of the NSW body in Sydney. The NSW members present were A A Lawson, W T Baker, B Freshwater, H B Bell, G Woods, F A Randle (Snr), E J Hyde, A A Lawson Jnr, E R Morris and E A Bradford (Secretary).

R Linton told of the role of the Victorian Association including its "black list" of bad and doubtful customers. Also it was reported that no accounts in Melbourne were opened for new customers unless a clearance was given from the firm doing the work previously. Needless to say, the Victorian body justifiably felt it was doing a worthwhile job for its members

In January 1915, NSW received a letter from the "Melbourne Master Process Engravers Association" congratulating it on the adoption of a price schedule. It was then proposed by F A Randle (Snr) and seconded by H Price that the NSW Secretary write back (to the Melbourne Association) thanking it for its congratulations and good wishes and hoping that an early date for a conference may be arranged.

In April 1915, the NSW Secretary was asked to send the Brisbane Association "a schedule of prices and ascertain what progress has been made and inform them that we are working cordially with Melbourne". The ubiquitous R Linton, Honorary Secretary of the Melbourne Association, was present at the April meeting in NSW and extended an invitation to the NSW President (A A Lawson) and Secretary (E A Bradford) to attend the Melbourne Annual Dinner to be held on 14 May 1915.

On 6 May 1915 the President told a NSW meeting that he was "going over" to Melbourne to attend the Dinner "and would talk over the trade matters generally and the advisability of a conference". At the next NSW meeting (3 June 1915) correspondence was received from the Victorian Association re the "conference held in Melbourne". It appears that Messrs A A A Lawson, F Randle and F Middows attended from Sydney.

The "conference" had resolved:

• That no man be re-employed at a higher wage than that paid him by his previous employer.
• That the Secretary of each Association should have access to sales and wages books of members to guarantee agreement is observed.

One wonders the extent to which these resolutions were followed in practice.

NSW decided to follow the Victorian example by arranging a Dinner at Farmers (Farmers was a retail store) on 10 September 1915 and inviting Victorian members to attend. The opportunity would be taken to hold another "conference". On 2 September it was reported that Victoria would be represented by "Messrs A Lyell, C B Shugg, R Linton and probably Mr Enticott".

There is no record of who attended and what was discussed but the success of the event was no doubt ensured by the donation of 100 cigars by F Middows.

Not everything, however, was sweetness and light. The NSW meeting in November 1915 dealt with a report that "the Melbourne people were doing Sydney work for Mr C Willmot at 10% off Sydney's rates".

The NSW Secretary was asked to write to Melbourne for an explanation.

Any discord which may have resulted was not too damaging because several unnamed Sydney "delegates" attended the 1916 Melbourne Dinner and participated in another conference with their Melbourne colleagues. The ecumenical spirit was expanded by deciding to acquaint the Brisbane Association with the result of the conference.

The practice of Melbourne and Sydney delegates attending each others Annual Dinner and taking the opportunity to confer continued with a dinner in Sydney in September 1916. The system apparently lapsed however in 1917/18 - perhaps because of wartime preoccupations. Nevertheless the associations in Victoria, NSW and Queensland were becoming involved in a wider range of industry activity.

Although price schedules and union negotiations remained major issues, attention was also being given to such items as apprenticeship training, tariff matters, industry promotion (as we would call it today) and labour supply.

Face-to-face formal contact between the Queensland and NSW Associations is recorded for the first time in the NSW minutes as being on 22 October 1918 when Queensland's S A Best attended a special meeting of the NSW Association. Matters of common interest were discussed. NSW was represented by its President F A Randle, A A Lawson, H B Bell, E R Morris, E J Martin, E J Hyde, A A Lawson Jnr, and E A Bradford.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF FORMAL INTERSTATE CONFERENCES

Victoria, 4/5 December 1919

After the end of the 1914-18 War it all started to happen. Victoria decided to organise a "Peace Dinner and Conference".

Unlike the previous "conferences" which lapsed in the later years of the War, this one would involve a third Association. This was the Brisbane organisation. S A Best had learnt of the conference in correspondence from the NSW Association.

The Conference itself was on 5 December 1919. NSW was represented by four delegates and Brisbane by one. The identity of two of the New South Welshmen (one was E J Hyde as current NSW President and another A A Lawson) and of the Victorian attendees is not known. The Queensland delegate was presumably S A Best.

Before attending the conference the NSW Association, at a meeting on 1 December 1914, recorded the suggestion "that an Annual Convention be held in the different States in which Associations are existent in such rotation as may be mutually agreed". This decision arose from a motion moved by F A Randle (Snr) and seconded by E R Morris.

The fate of this suggestion when discussed at the interstate conference is not recorded but its thrust met with support from other places because a further conference was held in the following year.

NSW Conference - 14/15 October 1920

The location chosen for the 1920 Conference, termed the "Equity Conference", was the Royal National Park just south of Sydney. Unfortunately no written record of attendances or of the discussions, which took place is available.

Photographs taken at a picnic held during the Conference show that the attendees included the A A Lawsons (father and son), G Woods, E J Hyde, W T Baker, E R Morris, A Lyell, F A Randle, F Middows, J Patterson and E A Bradford. The picnickers were all attired in suit, stiff collar and tie in the fashion of the day. All had hats most of which were homburgs but the odd cloth cap and panama were also evident.

Queensland Conference - 1921

The next interstate conference was held in Brisbane in 1921 (probably in May). Matters discussed included the "Black List" of overdue accounts, discounts and a 50% surcharge on line and half tone blocks, which were required in less than 8 hours.

At the NSW meeting on the following 4 August, and after consideration of items dealt with in Brisbane, it was proposed by A Lawson, seconded by E Martin and agreed "that a committee be appointed to draft a constitution for the Federal Association consisting of the President Mr E Hyde, Mr F A Randle and Mr W T Baker".

This rather succinct resolution suggests that the 1921 conference considered the formation of a Federal Association and that NSW was asked to work towards transforming the idea into reality.

The committee reported back to NSW on 1 December 1921 and it was agreed by the NSW Association that copies of the report be "forwarded to the other associations for their consideration and that they be asked to communicate their views on the matter at the earliest possible moment". At this stage the other associations were in Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Responses were received from each State and passed to the committee.

 

 

 

THE "FIRST" FEDERATION (1923-1938)

Even if the 1921 Conference in Brisbane may not have formally discussed setting up a Federal body it must have been canvassed "after hours".

In any event the NSW Association set about drafting a Constitution, which was then forwarded to other States later that year.

Victorian Conference 5/9 April 1923 - The Formation of the M.P.E.A.A.

The next conference was held at Healesville on 5/9 April 1923 under the chairmanship of C B Shugg who was Victorian President at the time. (C B Shugg should not be confused with his son C P 'Carl' Shugg who was to become Federal President in 1934. Both were very active in Association matters).

For a reason, which is now difficult to determine the Conference was dubbed the 'Elasticity Conference'. (This information comes from an informal handwritten Report of the Conference prepared by C H Taylor of Victoria). Certainly the Rules governing the play in a social cricket match held during the Conference between the Victorian and "Foreign Process Engravers" were elastic. It is even rumoured that the home team played 15 men.

Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia were represented in Healesville. In view of the importance of the event it is worthwhile recording the names of those listed on the programme as being delegates.

The Victorian Association was represented by C B Shugg, L A Clements, L E Courtin, T G Coventry, A H Enticott, A J Enticott, A Hughes, E E James, Andrew Lyell, L Moncur, Oscar Owen, J Patterson, L Patterson, J Prebble, A E Saunders, C P Shugg, W Sinclair, Thurlow Smith, C H Taylor and R J Thomas.

NSW delegates were W T Baker, E J Hyde, A A Lawson Jnr, F A Randle Snr, J Winston and Geo Woods. S A Best, G Hughes and J C Smith came from Queensland while South Australia was represented by F V Bowen and F Porter.

The matter of the Constitution of the Master Process Engravers Association of Australia was dealt with on the morning of Friday 6th April and finalised that night.

It is fair to say that GASAA was born on that Friday, 6th April. An election for the Federal officers was held on the Saturday morning with the following results:

Federal President - F A Randle (NSW)
Vice Presidents - SA Best (Queensland) | J. Patterson (Victoria) | G W Illingworth (SA)
Secretary Treasurer - E J Hyde

George Illingworth, incidentally, became a member of the South Australian Parliament in 1938.

NSW Conference - 23/26 April 1925

Wentworth Falls, in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, was the chosen location for what was termed the 'Co-operation Conference'.

It is interesting to note that the total cost of the conference, including accommodation and meals, was 149.9.9 (149 pounds, 9 shillings and ninepence) including 8.18.0 spent on cigars, 6.3.0 on "music artists" and 5.5.0 on a shorthand writer and typist.

Eleven delegates from the three neighbouring States attended. Good business was done and an enjoyable time spent. There is no record of the discussions but tariff on process cameras was one of the Federal issues of the day and would have received attention.

Industrial relations matters were still handled by the State Associations in 1925 and for many years thereafter. Union problems consumed a great deal of time at State level, as did trade lists, prices, the "Union Stamp" and apprenticeship training. There was considerable liaison between the States on these issues and the 1925 Conference would have provided the opportunity to exchange information.

There is no official record of the new officers elected in 1925 but they are believed to have been:

Federal President - S R Delmont (SA)
Vice Presidents - Jno. Patterson (Victoria) | E J Hyde (NSW) | S A Best (Queensland)
Honorary Secretary - G Illingworth (SA)

South Australian Conference - 26/30 April 1927

The 1927 Interstate Conference, was held in Adelaide with the theme of 'Service'.

Western Australia was represented for the first time. "Three colour standard inks" were adopted as was a "Badge" for the Federal body. The office bearers elected were:

President: - A Lyell (Victoria)
Vice President : - S A Best (Queensland) | E J Hyde (NSW) | N Porter (SA) | T Nisbet (WA)
Honorary Secretary: - C P 'Carl' Shugg (Victoria)

Messrs E J Hyde, W T Baker & F A Randle Snr had been appointed delegates from NSW. Details of other attendees are not known. Although minutes of the conference were prepared they no longer seem to exist.

A Code of Ethics was adopted and, inevitably, the price schedule discussed. The "black list" received attention, as did co-operative buying, the conduct of an exhibition, costing, technical information, labour relations and the possible appointment of a paid Secretary.

Victorian Conference - 9 April 1929

The 1929 Conference was held at Warburton. Papers to be presented by the NSW members were:

W T Baker - Planning in advance
E J Hyde - Salesmanship
G H Edwards - Advantages of Technical Education
F A Randle - Community Advertising
A A Lawson - Co-operation with Kindred Associations

Western Australia was not represented but Tasmania was for the first time. The Tasmanian delegate was O A Purvis.

The presentation of Technical Papers was a new practice and well received. A suggestion was put forward that future conferences should be held annually.

Officers elected were:

President - Murray Fraser (Queensland)
Vice Presidents - T Nisbet (WA) | S R Delmont (SA)| A Lyell (Victoria) | E J Hyde (NSW)
Hon. Secretary-Treasurer - Mr S A Best (Queensland)

The next conference was scheduled for Brisbane in 1931. The new President, M Fraser, was located in Queensland. The 1931 Conference did not take place.

"Time off"

In the months subsequent to the 1929 Conference, economic conditions deteriorated. Attention was given to laying off staff and putting employees on to part-time work. The Great Depression had arrived.

The bad times of the early 1930's caused no drop off in the work done at State Association level but forced deferment of the Interstate Conference scheduled for Brisbane in 1931. It was put off until an unspecified "later date" but, when that date arrived, was again postponed. The situation even went to the point that no Federal subscriptions were called up in 1931.

Although no interstate conferences were held and the Federal Association was relatively inactive, the liaison between interstate associations continued.

Left: Honorary Secretary/Treasurer – 1929, Sydney Arnold
Right: President – 1929, Murray Fraser

On 1 November 1929, a number of members from other States attended a meeting of
non-members convened by the NSW Association in an impressive example of interstate
co - operation. Those from outside NSW were S A Best (Brisbane), A Lyell and E E James (Melbourne) and G Illingworth and S R Delmont (Adelaide).

That particular meeting was also memorable because G H Edwards, in opening it, said "it was the first time in the history of Photo-engraving that a lady (Mrs Steadman of Photo Engraving Art Co Pty Ltd) was present".

There was another interesting comment from B Freshwater (a non-member from NSW) who said that "the conditions at the bench had been made too hot and that was the reason for him starting for himself". Was he referring to the physical temperature or to the pressure of work?

At the meeting it was proposed that the non-member houses should call a subsequent meeting amongst themselves.

The subsequent "unassociated houses" meeting was held on 11 November 1929 and it is interesting to note that those present included Messrs Price and Robey. The name Robey, in particular, was to become a well known one in the '80's. One of its bearers, R S "Bob" Robey, was to become a Federal President, Honorary member of GASAA and a contributor to the well-being of the Graphic Arts in many fields.

The unassociated houses decided not to join the Association but instead to join a "club". What, if anything, happened to the "club" is lost in the mists of time.

In passing, it is interesting to note that 1 August 1930 saw the introduction of a new Federal tax. It was called Sales Tax and the general rate was set at 2½%. In 1993 it is 20%.

In 1933 the Victorian Association recorded its concern about the state of its NSW counterpart. In January 1933 the Victorians felt that "no good purpose would be served by holding a Federal Conference until such time as conditions had improved and the members of the trade in New South Wales had been welded into a united body".

The NSW Association was putting on a brave face and claimed in its 1933 Annual Report that "the attendance was well up to average". The President did, however, concede that "no method has been discovered which would put an end to this price-cutting, and at the moment it seems to be worse than ever... It is fortunate that a few firms realise the stupidity of this rotten method of doing business".

Possible further evidence of some dissatisfaction with the effectiveness of the NSW body lies in the fact that a NSW stalwart, F A Randle Snr, was a member of the Executive Committee of the Master Printers Association in 1931/32. Whether or not his company actually joined the MPA at the time or whether he was merely representing the process engravers as a group is not known.

On 19 February 1934, Victoria proposed, "that a missionary effort be made to rehabilitate the New South Wales Association on a sound footing". The Victorian "mission" appears to have converted the infidels because in August 1934 Mr Shugg reported to the Victorian members "that the New South Wales Association was now 100% strong".

Sydney Conference - 3/6 May 1934

In the early part of 1934, the Federal Secretary (S A Best) pointed out "the advisability of holding (an interstate) conference this year". S A Best had been appointed Honorary Secretary/Treasurer in 1929. Murray Fraser had been elected Federal President at the same time but the Victorian Association minutes in 1934 report him as having gone out of business. Possibly his withdrawal can be attributed to age - he was 80 in 1932 - rather than to the Great Depression. The Federal Presidency thus became vacant and A Lyell of Victoria, as Senior Vice President, temporarily filled the gap.

A conference was duly held in Sydney on 3/6 May 1926 and titled the "Unity" Conference. Although organised at short notice it was quite well attended with eight delegates coming from Melbourne, two from Adelaide, one from Brisbane and one from Newcastle as well as the Sydney contingent. Non-members based in NSW were invited and all but one of those who participated subsequently joined up with NSW.

C P 'Carl' Shugg was appointed President and A Lyell Honorary Secretary/Treasurer.

Victorian Conference - 5/8 May 1936

The 1936 "LOYALTY" conference was held at "Ranelagh", Frankston (Mt Eliza) on 5/8 May.

Attendances from Victoria were listed as J Allardice, E S Bolle, T W Brown, A B Clarkson, R Enticott, A Hughes, E E James, T G Johnson, Andrew Lyell, Oscar Owen, L A Patterson, Chas. P Shugg (probably 'Carl'), J White, F B Wilson and A S Rundle (Secretary).

NSW was represented by G M Beard, H W Bradbury, G H Edwards Snr, R Hyde, A A Lawson, J E F Martin, F A Randle Snr, J L Woolley and E S Wright.

S A Best and S A Goubareff travelled from Queensland, S R Delmont and G W Illingworth from South Australia and O A Purvis from Tasmania.

Topics for discussion included methods of charging, Monastral as Standard Blue, Uniform Price Schedule, Joint Industrial Council, Trade Service Association, History and Growth of Process Engraving, Tariff and Sales Tax.

The Conference elected E J Hyde (NSW) as the President and G H Edwards (NSW) as Honorary Secretary/Treasurer.

20/21 September 1937 - the Federal Executive

The organisation was by this time growing apace and items under consideration were increasing in number and being given more professional attention. The NSW Association appointed H R Irving as part-time Secretary on a paid basis in June 1937. His remuneration was 100 guineas per annum. The name "Irving" was a name, which would be associated with the "photo engravers" for many years at NSW and Federal levels.

Amongst the problems listed on the agendas were sales tax on negatives, price lists, wage increases, the prices charged by newspapers for process work, the insertion of a definition of photo lithography in State Awards, trade lists and, for the first time, "Federal Executive Meeting".

The names of all the members of the Federal Executive at that time is not shown nor whether it had met before. But meet it did on 20/21 September 1937 in Sydney. Delegates from NSW presumably included E J Hyde (Federal President) and G H Edwards (Hon. Secretary). E S Bolle represented Victoria.

The appointment by NSW of H Irving as permanent Secretary soon led to a proposal that a similar appointment be made at Federal level. The Honorary Federal Secretary (G H Edwards) spoke strongly in favour of such a move and so did the Queensland Association. The concept was supported, too, by NSW.

The Federal Executive did not restrict itself to discussing the Secretaryship issue. It also suggested that State Associations exchange minutes of their meetings, that a conference should be held in each and every year and that the Federal Constitution be substantially rewritten (apparently by E S Bolle of Victoria) to empower the Federal body to become more actively involved in industry matters.

A proposed new Constitution of the Master Process Engravers Association of Australia was later prepared for consideration at the 1938 "Annual Interstate Conference".

It was then learned that the Master Printers Association was to make an application to the Federal Arbitration Court, which would affect "process engravers throughout Australia". Previously, award regulation had been on a State-by-State basis with the process engraving industry covered by its own State awards.

Legal opinion was accordingly sought and it became evident that the "Federation of State Associations" structure of the Master Process Engravers of Australia would not meet the requirements of Federal law. It was therefore decided to revise the draft so that the organisation became, as required, an organisation of individual employers (which it now is although not everyone realises it).

The relatively peaceful days of the "first" Federation were coming to a close.

An Early Federal Meeting, Wentworth Falls – 1925

Left to Right – Back Row:
E.R. Morris, G.H. Edwards, Geo. Woods Snr, H.B. Bell, E.J. Martin, Geo. Woods Jnr, G.B. Wimble, E. Murch, Oscar Owen.
Second Row:
F.E. Winston, A.A. Lawson, Jnr, E.E. James, A.F. Jones, A.H. Enticott, G.Hughes, J.C. Murray, C.B. Shugg, E. St John, E.P. Condry, D. Taylor.
Front Row:
F. Middows, W.P. Crawford, G.W. Illingworth, Jno. Patterson, F.A. Randle, E.J. Hyde, S.A. Best, C.H. Taylor, W.G. Conley, E.A. Bradford.
Insets:
Murray Fraser and W.T. Baker

 

 

THE "NEW" FEDERATION (1938)

Differing Attitudes

The pace of commercial life was quickening in the late 1930's and to many there appeared a need for the process engravers organisation to respond. Some of the developing events were:

The increasing influence of the Federal Arbitration Court in the affairs of industry. Process engraving employees had always been covered by State Awards but there were indications that the Federal Court would one day step in.

The Master Printers Federation, based in Melbourne, was gaining strength under the powerful personality of its Industrial Officer (himself a printer) Dr George Anderson.

The NSW Master Process Engravers Association was "lifting its game" under strong leadership and had appointed an independent professional as its Secretary in the person of H R Irving.

Unfortunately the two dominant State Associations within the Master Process Engravers (NSW and Victoria) took quite a different view on how best to respond to these developments.

On the question of relations with the Master Printers Federation, the Victorian Association preferred the path of close co-operation. It was itself a Section of the Master Printers Association of Victoria whose own Secretary, A S (Stan) Rundle, doubled as Secretary of the process engravers association. Indeed the Victorian Association referred to the Master Printers Association as the "parent" body.

The NSW Association on the other hand vehemently believed that the interests of the printers and the photo-engravers were sufficiently different on key issues to render the closeness favoured by Victoria as unacceptable.

As to Award coverage, the Victorian Association was of the opinion that the process engravers (and, subsequently, litho and gravure platemakers) should be covered by the Federal Commercial Printing Award. The Master Printers Federation was the sole representative employer body recognised by that Award.

NSW, predictably, felt that the pre-press houses should have their own Federal Award quite apart from the printers and that a proposed Federal Process Engravers Award should be administered by the process engravers themselves.

A factor which at the time confused the main game was that many individuals and some State Associations strongly believed that the Federation should be devoting its energy towards keeping the regulation of the employers within the State jurisdictions.

Fifth Conference, “Ranelagh,” Victoria – 1936

Back Row:
F.A Randle (NSW), J.K. Allardice (VIC), A. Hughes (VIC), T.W. Brown (VIC)
Second Back Row:
Kelvey Pearson, J.L. Wooley (NSW), R. Enticott (VIC), E.S. Wright (NSW), A.B. Clarkson (VIC) F.B. Wilson (VIC), O.A. Purvis (TAS), G.L. Beard (NSW), R. Hyde (NSW), H.W. Bradbury (NSW), J.E.F. Martin (NSW), L. Patterson (VIC)
Sitting:
J. White (VIC), A.A. Lawson (NSW), S.A. Best (QLD), T.G. Johnson (VIC), Chas. P. Shugg (VIC) (President), E.S. Bolle (VIC), Andrew Lyell (VIC) (Hon. Secretary and Treasurer), G.H. Edwards (NSW), G.W. Illingworth (SA), Oscar Owen (VIC)
Front Row:
Geo. Manuel (NSW), S.A. Goubareff (QLD), J. Alexander Brown.

Another point of policy difference related to the matter of State autonomy versus Federal authority. Victoria held out for State autonomy (perhaps because the Federation was administered from Sydney) whilst NSW argued for Federal dominance (perhaps for the same reason!). Whether the urge to maintain State autonomy caused the Victorian Association to turn to the Melbourne-based Master Printers Federation for support or whether the Printers Federation encouraged the Victorian Association to hold out for autonomy to handicap the growth of the Process Engravers Federation is an open question. In confronting these complex and emotional issues the South Australian Association tended to favour the Victorian views (but not always) whilst Queensland often (but, again, not always) the NSW line.

Even today, 50 years on, it is not hard to initiate argument on these questions. The Master Process Engravers had to find answers to them and eventually did so but only after much heartache.

NSW Conference - 9/13 May 1938

The 1938 Conference was held at Toronto in the Central Coast area of NSW. It was appropriately termed the 'Self-Determination Conference'.

E J Hyde, who had been appointed President at the Mount Eliza (Frankston) Convention in 1936, presided over the "Meeting of Process Engravers" on 10th May 1938. Thirty two persons representing the thirty companies from the States of Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia were present together with H R Irving (Secretary of the NSW Association).

Immediately prior to the opening, a meeting of the delegates had been held at which the old organisation - the Master Process Engravers Association of Australia - had been formally dissolved.

It was then agreed on the motion of G H Edwards (Morris Pty Ltd) and H W Bradbury (British Australian Photo Process Engraving Co.):

"That this meeting of employers affirm the necessity of forming an Association to be known as the Federation of Master Process Engravers of Australia; that such Association be formed of individual employers, firms or companies; and that a Constitution be prepared in conformity with the requirements of the Federal Arbitration Act".

A committee was appointed to prepare a draft constitution. Committee members were:

South Australia - G Barnett (Porter and Barnett); S R Delmont (S R Delmont Ltd)
Victoria - E S Bolle (Royal Process Engravers Pty Ltd)
NSW - G H Edwards (Morris Pty Ltd); A A Lawson (A A Lawson Pty Ltd)
Queensland - S A Best (S A Best Pty Ltd); C P Theaker (Publicity Engraving Pty Ltd)

E J Hyde (NSW) was appointed Chairman.

The next day, 11 May 1938, saw the formal creation of the new body. The previous organisation had been an Association of several State Associations and, technically, did not have any employer members in its own right. The following firms and companies were accepted as Foundation Members of the new Association:

Apex Engraving Pty Ltd
S A Best Pty Ltd
S A Best (NSW) Pty Ltd
W T Baker & Co Pty Ltd
British Australian Photo Process Engraving Co
S R Delmont Ltd
A H Enticott & Co
Freshwater Pty Ltd
Hartland & Hyde Pty Ltd
F A Harris
Ben Jordan-Dolphin Pty Ltd
Lyell-Owen Pty Ltd
A A Lawson Pty Ltd
A W Letts & Co
Modern Reproduction Pty Ltd
Morris Pty Ltd
Omega Process Engravers
Patterson Shugg Pty Ltd
Prebble & James Pty Ltd
L Ponsford & Co Pty Ltd
Porter & Barnett
Publicity Engraving Pty
Royal Process Engravers Pty Ltd
Randle Photo Engraving Co Pty Ltd
Show Ads Art Photo Engravers
Star Engraving Co Pty Ltd
John Sands Pty Ltd
C.H. Taylor Pty Ltd
R J Thomas

Note that in true "State-less" fashion the members were listed alphabetically without mentioning their State.

On the following day, 13 May 1938, the new Constitution was formally adopted and following officers elected:

President - E Sylvester Bolle (Victoria)
Vice President - G H Edwards (NSW) | C P Theaker (Queensland) | S R Delmont (South Australia)

and, finally, the appointment of H R Irving as Secretary-Treasurer from 12 May.

The new Constitution required that a general meeting of members should be held every two years.

The NSW President (J Leonard Ponsford) subsequently reported that the Conference was an "outstanding success" and that "the decisions then reached will prove to be a means of saving the industry from the domination of other interests which have no regard for and are not concerned with the future protection of Master Process Engravers".

Very soon after the adoption of the new Constitution some disquiet was expressed in Victoria. The Victorian Association, which was a Section of the Master Printers Association of Victoria, conferred with the Master Printers' Industrial Officer (Dr George Anderson) and was told by him that "a great mistake had been made in founding a Federation of individuals instead of a Federation of State Associations". This put the cat amongst the pigeons raising, as it did, the ever simmering issue of States' rights. (The Printing Federation ironically encountered the same problem in the early 1950's when it, too, had to cease being a "Federation of State Associations" in order to retain Federal registration).

E S Bolle, as the Federal President from Victoria, understandably said he was not in a position to discuss the matter as he was in favour of the new Federal Constitution based on individual membership.

The Victorian Association proposed that a Conference of State Associations be held to discuss the question.

Dr Anderson had also advised the Victorians that by affiliating with the Master Printers Federation, the process engravers could, if they so wished, be brought under the Federal Award at a cost of approximately 50 pounds as against 500 pounds if they conducted their own case. So a financial attraction existed too.

Special General Meeting, Hotel Canberra, Canberra - 26 October 1939

A Special General Meeting of representatives of fifteen companies from four States was convened to give further attention to the Constitution.
The only bone of contention arose from a desire by some, particularly the Victorians, to revert to the earlier situation under which the Federal body would be an association of associations rather than of individual members. This desire was not realised largely because the Victorian Association decided to accept the new Constitution for the present but with the intention of submitting detailed changes to the next Conference. No other formal business was considered.

A newly constituted Executive was appointed made up of E S Bolle, G Edwards, C Theaker and S R Delmont.

Subsequently, on 22 November 1939, the Executive resolved to apply for Registration under the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Act. The resolution was signed by E Sylvester Bolle (President), Geo H Edwards, S R Delmont and Charles P Theaker as members of the Executive. The formal application was itself signed on 24 January 1940 by E S Bolle and, on 2 February 1940, by Harold Rupert Irving as Secretary. The Certificate of Registration was signed by the Federal Industrial Registrar on 1 April 1940.

EXECUTIVE MEETINGS - 1940

The Executive became responsible for the general management of the Association.

At its meeting at 251 Latrobe Street, Melbourne, on 26/27 February 1940 it dealt with a number of matters including, significantly, "Relations with Master Printers". In summary, tension between what is now known as the Printing and Allied Trades Federation of Australia and the Federation of Master Process Engravers of Australia was being exacerbated by action by the printers to bring various litho and gravure pre-press activities under the Federal Commercial Printing Award. At that time the Commercial Printing Award was administered by the Master Printers Federation.

The Queensland, NSW and South Australian representatives were at this stage in favour of opposing the printers on these matters whereas the Victorians were inclined to discuss the question with the printers with a view to arriving at an agreement under which both organisations would work closely together but each retain its independence. The concept contemplated the Engravers being affiliated with the Printers Federation.

The Victorian representatives once more referred to the Constitutional question and again expressed the belief that the Federation, in effect, should go back to being an association of autonomous State Associations. They nevertheless agreed to fall into line with the other States for the time being.

Neither of the two contentious issues was really resolved at the October 1940 meeting nor at a subsequent meeting on 11 November 1940.

The new Federation and its President (E Sylvester Bolle of Victoria) clearly still had some problems. The President was a willing party to the application for Federal registration, which required individual membership. At the same time his home State was continuing to press the view that the Federation revert to being an Association of State bodies.

ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING, SYDNEY, 4 OCTOBER 1941

Under the new Constitution, the "conferences" of earlier times were replaced by "Ordinary General Meetings". The first was held on 4 October 1941. By this time World War II was well under way and was no doubt a contributing factor to a disappointing seventeen persons attending the 1941 meeting. They represented fourteen companies. Only NSW and Victorian members were present, with apologies coming from G W Illingworth (S R Delmont Ltd, SA) and C P Theaker (S A Best Pty Ltd).

The Constitutional question regarding membership was settled by way of compromise. In effect, the State Associations could be members of the Federation with their members being "de facto" members of the Federation. Additionally, however, employers could join direct, if they wished, without being members of a State Association.

It appears that, in Victoria at least, the Association did not join the Federation but a number of Victorian members did so on an individual basis.

The controversial question of industrial coverage remained unresolved. Some of the heat had temporarily gone out of the problem but the differences of attitude remained under the surface.

At the conclusion of the meeting G H Edwards (NSW) assumed the Presidency. E Sylvester Bolle was also nominated for re-election but declined. The nomination of G H Edwards was strongly supported by the Victorian contingent in what was clearly an expression of basic solidarity despite the controversy, which had existed.

ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING, SYDNEY, 27 SEPTEMBER 1943

Seventeen representatives were present from seventeen companies and three States - Victoria, NSW and South Australia. By this time employees' Union covering process engraving (the Federated Process Engravers, Photo Lithographic and Photogravure Employees Association of Australia) was close to gaining clear Federal registration with the ultimate object of obtaining a Federal Award. It had, in fact, served a log of claims on the Federal Secretary of the Master Process Engravers.

The Master Printers had their Federal Commercial Printing Award but the engraving and litho platemaking areas remained in the State jurisdictions. The printers were keen to embrace these pre-press trades into a "Graphic Arts Industry Award" and had, indeed, applied to the Courts to include a classification in the Commercial Printing Award covering photogravure, photo-litho, camera operators and artists when employed by members of the Printers Federation. The Master Process Engravers had decided in 1942, to oppose the printers' application but this policy continued to be hotly contested by the Victorian Association. The Master Process Engravers Federation had also proposed entering a Federal Industrial agreement covering process engraving but Victoria, consistently, opposed this as well.

At the meeting, E Sylvester Bolle was re-elected President with G H Edwards declining.

ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING, SYDNEY, 22 SEPTEMBER 1945

Much had happened in the two years since the meeting on 27 September 1943.

Tensions over whether or not the association should willingly move into the Federal industrial relations jurisdiction and, if so how, remained high.

A meeting of officers on 24 March 1945 (E Sylvester Bolle, President; E J Hyde, Vice President and C P Theaker, Vice President) was held specifically to discuss whether or not the Federation should be wound up because of the amount of dissension, which existed. It was decided not to take such a drastic step.

E S Bolle, a Victorian, was in a difficult position. Perhaps the strain was too much for him because he died suddenly three weeks after the meeting.

On the death of the President, C P Theaker (Queensland) was elected to replace him until the next General Meeting.

Only eleven member companies were present at the September 1945 Ordinary General Meeting and all were from NSW. One was the Newcastle branch of Queensland's S A Best Pty Ltd. Messrs E R Scott and F Watkins of Melbourne, who were now ex-members, were present at the President Theaker's invitation.

Members of the Victorian Association had by this time joined the Master Printers Association and all but one had resigned from the Process Engravers Association of Australia. They took this action, they said, because "of the action of the Executive in regard to the proposed Consent Award". All the South Australia members had also resigned.

The Chairman, C P Theaker, is recorded as saying, "that Process Engravers in Queensland prefer to retain their own State Award, but they felt that a Federal Award was inevitable and that they would have to adhere to it. It seemed very regrettable, that an Association should be broken up because of the fact that Mr Bolle, the late President, did not carry out the decision of the Victorian Association."

The meeting accepted a proposal that the Federation Executive should seek to meet with the Victoria members in Melbourne. If such a meeting ever took place it achieved nothing. C P Theaker's election as President was re-confirmed.

GENERAL MEETING, SYDNEY, 22 SEPTEMBER 1947

Only seven member companies were present. All were from NSW, one of which was, again, the Newcastle branch of S A Best Pty Ltd of Queensland.

The entire membership at this stage was 16. Fifteen of these were in NSW and one in Queensland. The Federation was clearly in a sorry state.

The Secretary, H R Irving, reported on discussions he had with A M (Bert) Gange (Victorian President) and Victorian members, T (Tom) Johnson and C (Clarrie) Owen Jnr. These three had subsequently suggested that the Federal secretary, H Irving, be invited to address a full meeting of Victorian members but this proposal "was not favourably received" by the Victorian Association.

It was agreed by the Federation that A T Day and G W Edwards of NSW and the Secretary should visit Melbourne to confer with members of the Victorian Association. It was also agreed that "representatives of the Federation should confer with representatives of the NSW Master Printers Association with a view to bringing about a closer relationship". This latter decision gave a hint that some form of compromise may have been under way.

Other than re-elect C P Theaker as President the meeting did little else.

ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING, SYDNEY, 27 SEPTEMBER 1948

It is significant indeed that the meeting was held at the rooms of the Master Printers Association in Sydney.

In the period since the 1947 Meeting, the Federation rules had been changed in relation to voting powers and the procedures to make a specific appointment of an Industrial Officer. G A Bennett, the newly appointed Federal Secretary of PATEFA, had been appointed by the Federal Process Engravers Executive as Industrial Officer of the Process Engravers Federation also. (The Master Printers Federation had been renamed the Printing and Allied Trades Employers Federation of Australia. The short name "PATEFA" came to be used).

It was reported that the "Victorian Association", as such, had joined the Process Engravers Federation as from the commencement of the current year.

The general atmosphere of renewed harmony was continued by the General Meeting, which acquiesced to process engravers being covered by the new Federal Commercial Printing Award - which was to be known as the Graphic Arts Award. Significantly, this decision was reached "subject to an undertaking being given by the Printing and Allied Trades Employers Federation" that it would not interfere with the independence of this Federation or disturb its registration in the Commonwealth Arbitration".

The attainment of this compromise had only come about as a result of much give and take in which both PATEFA and the Process Engravers had displayed a conciliatory attitude.

PATEFA, following the retirement some years earlier of Dr George Anderson, had mellowed in its attitudes and was willing to recognise the Process Engravers Federation as an independent body with which it would co-operate and not seek to absorb or destroy. The NSW process engravers, having gained acceptance of the independence of the Process Engravers Federation, were prepared to have their industrial affairs conducted by the same individual (Geoff A Bennett) who was the Secretary/Industrial Officer of PATEFA. When acting for the engravers, he was answerable to the engravers alone. A Steering Committee of elected members from both organisations was set up to resolve any policy conflicts. NSW, on this basis, was also prepared not to pursue its goal of having a separate Federal Award solely for pre-press houses.

The Victorian Association, having achieved a high degree of co-operation between the two bodies, felt satisfied. The question of State autonomy became irrelevant. G W Edwards (NSW) was elected President. He was the son of an earlier President (George H Edwards).

FROM 1948 ONWARDS

Federal Award coverage had now been arrived at in a manner acceptable to the Federation. Also, a practical working relationship with the Printing Federation had been achieved. With these two major problems out of the way at long last the "Process Engravers" were able to go about their work in a constructive way in the coming decades.

Quite apart from the many policy issues dealt with by the Executive and Secretary on a day to day basis, emphasis was placed on developing the concept of Annual Conventions with emphasis not only on industry affairs but also on "technical sessions".

It is not intended to trace the development of the organisation beyond this point in any depth. It had matured into an effective, nationally operating body playing an important role in the affairs of the industry.

It is necessary, however, to touch on a short period during which the spectre of earlier tensions within the Federation was raised again.

G A Bennett, the Industrial officer of both bodies, left the post in 1959 and was replaced by M J Farley who also held both positions. Matters proceeded smoothly until the latter and PATEFA severed connection in 1970. He was succeeded by PATEFA'S Industrial Relations Manager, T R (Tom) Chambers, who also provided industrial representation for what was then known as GAPEFA. More or less concurrently, elements within what had come to be known as the Platemaking Federation felt that changing technology called for a change to the structure of that Federation. It was proposed:

• that the name be changed to the Graphic Arts Services Association of Australia in order to embrace all pre-press activities.
  that membership be offered to all companies (including printing houses) which employed pre-press staff.

Not surprisingly PATEFA objected to these moves. It had always had coverage of typesetters and did not view the Platemakers move into that field very happily. Beyond that, it certainly did not appreciate the Platemaking Federation trying to enrol the pre-press sections of printing houses. Appropriate legal actions were taken. TR Chambers represented PATEFA and ceased to act for GASAA. The Platemakers, through the then current Secretary/Treasurer I W (Ian) Saunders, pursued the legal arguments by using professional lawyers.

The past differences of opinion between NSW and Victoria over the questions of industrial coverage and relations with the Printing Federation were again on the table with predictable results.

While the battle with the printers was at its height the Platemaking Federation, in 1973, again appointed M J Farley as its Industrial Officer. In the time since his departure from PATEFA he had been operating his own consulting company in the field of Association Management.

In 1975, following the resignation of I W Saunders, M Farley was also appointed Secretary/Treasurer. One of the early priorities was to help restore the co-operative relationship with PATEFA. This was achieved on the basis that the PATEFA objections to the new name "Graphic Arts Services Association of Australia" would be withdrawn. GASAA, it was further agreed, would be entitled to enrol members in all pre-press fields, including typesetting. GASAA undertook to restrict its membership to "trade houses" and not seek to enrol printers who did pre-press work solely for their own use.

Peace between the two Federations was restored and has remained, notwithstanding occasional and natural policy differences.

Amended prices for Process Blocks – February, 1915

 

 

THE ISSUES

Although this is the "story of GASAA" - of its organisation and people, it would be inappropriate not to make reference to some of the industry issues with which it has had to contend.

Before the Federation was established in 1923 all issues were dealt with by the various State Associations. The laws under which they had to operate, including the labour relations laws, were predominantly State rather than Federal. Also, competition was almost exclusively restricted to local areas.

For these reasons there was really little for any Federal body to do. Such interstate contact as did occur mainly took the form of exchanges of ideas directed towards mutual help.

Although the only pre-1923 records now available relate to the NSW Association it would be safe to assume that their content would largely reflect discussions contemporaneously taking place in the other States where Associations existed. (Victoria was probably formed before 1908, Queensland in the 1914-18 period, South Australia in 1920 or 1921 and Western Australia probably in or about 1926 - although its existence may not have been continuous).

The minimisation of price competition was the main motivating force of all the Associations. The very first NSW meeting, held on 29 May 1908, resolved that "the minimum price for 3 colour work be 4 pounds per set" and "that the minimum price for 2 colour blocks be 15 pounds". As to discounts, it was agreed that "no discount, rebate or allowance be allowed".

These simple straightforward decisions have a naivety, which is quite charming in its optimism and innocence. Someone must have been a little more practical because it was later decided "that Mr Bacon obtain Council's (sic) opinion as to how the Association would stand in regard to the Anti-Trust Act".

In July 1908, the NSW Association sought to extend the competition control net a little wider by deciding to write to "various artists and photographers informing them that if they want the support of the Photo Engravers they should refrain from taking direct orders for blocks".

At its 17 August 1908 meeting a new topic appears in the minutes - "Mr Lawson mentioned that one of his apprentices Howard Brown who still had two years to run had absented himself for upwards of two weeks". The embryonic GASAA had clearly embarked upon what was to become one of its major occupations - industrial relations.

Next came tariffs. On 5 May 1909, the NSW Association discussed a letter from Patterson Shugg of Melbourne "regarding a duty on Electros and Stereos". It was proposed there be a petition be addressed to the Minister for Customs.

The same meeting expressed concern at the cost of "the supply of electric current". A Lawson "promised to see the Town Clerk (Mr Nesbitt) and ascertain what procedure to adopt re approaching the City Electrical Engineer regarding a reduction in the charges". (This produced good results because the charges were soon lowered for process engravers).

Things were now moving rapidly. On 22 July 1909 the NSW Association dealt with a letter from the Photo Engravers Union and decided it was "prepared to meet the Executive of the Photo Engravers Union to discuss their Wages Log". At a later meeting, it was explained that the Union claim for a minimum wage of 3 pounds was really what we would now call an "ambit" claim and that the Union was really prepared to accept 2 pounds 16 shillings. The ingenuous argument was also put that "if the wages were raised the Master could demand more for his blocks".

Shades of things to come appeared in 1914 when C Mather, Secretary of the (NSW) Master Printers Association attended the meeting to discuss "The suggested amalgamation with the Master Printers Association...No decision was arrived at".

Then on 6 August 1914, F Middows was a guest at the meeting and "explained that owing to the war between England and Germany the further supply of materials was uncertain. He estimated that the materials on hand would last about three months". The problem of materials supplies had arrived on the agendas.

The above are but very early references to a few of the topics which were to occupy the organisations attention over the decades ahead. To give them only a few lines is, unfortunately, to do an injustice to the huge amount of work done by hundreds of dedicated people over almost a century. Few would dispute that their work has improved the commercial and legislative climate in which GASAA members have operated and has contributed to their prosperity.

On the other hand, it would be out of place in this "story of GASAA" to isolate various topics and follow each through to the present day. First there are too many such topics, which would have to be dealt with and, secondly nothing would be achieved. Besides which, it would not make for interesting reading exempt for those with a particular interest with the subject being considered.

A random but far from complete list of "issues" is listed below:

Prices
Prices, price lists, discounts, rebates, "unfair competition", price cutting and interstate competition figure prominently for many years. Trade practices legislation effectively put an end to price lists. When that occurred, GASAA redirected its efforts and undertook detailed "cost investigations".

Cost Investigations
During the 1950's, GASAA began comprehensive investigations, which resulted in the distribution of reports setting out the average of each cost element involved in producing engravings. By comparing his own costs with the industry-wide figures each engraver could not only increase his own efficiency but also be aware of the effects on his profitability of unwise pricing. The work was largely done by members N L Burston and W H Ryan together with the then Secretary (D H Davis).

GASAA undertook these "cost investigations" of its industry long before "interfirm comparisons" became the vogue. GASAA is believed to have been the first association in Australia to have done so. Indeed the Commonwealth Government, when embarking on its Interfirm Comparisons service, consulted with GASAA upon the procedures the Association had adopted.

Attempts to introduce similar investigations into litho platemaking were thwarted by the intense competition the industry was experiencing at the time.

Codes of Ethics
Codes of Ethics and Standards of Practice have played a role from time to time but are also subject to Trade Practice legislation. They have been useful many times, however, in helping to sort out problems, which from time to time arise between GASAA members and their customers.

Industrial Relations
Probably the major role undertaken by the Federation since its inception. GASAA represents the pre-press sector of the printing industry before many Governmental authorities, including the Arbitration tribunals, and also acts for its members in the event of their becoming involved in industrial disputes. As a matter of day-to-day routine it provides an information and advisory service on industrial law.

The "Joint Industrial Council"Although this is a story of GASAA at a Federal level a brief reference to the operation in NSW of a Joint Council between the NSW Association and the Amalgamated Printing Trades Union is fully warranted. The Council was formed in 1933 and lapsed in 1939 but was re-established in 1949. Efforts to set up similar meetings at a Federal level in 1949 came to nothing.

The functioning of the Council would provide a mine of information for the student of industrial relations in Australia. Not only did it regulate employment conditions but it also ventured into fields, which today would be viewed as entirely inappropriate. For example, it resolved in 1934 that 'this Council regards night-shifts as inimicable (sic) to the best interests of the Process Engraving industry and that they ought to be abolished so that more men may be employed." Also, "that this Council shall be given the opportunity to review contemplated changes of men from one firm to another".

In 1935 the Council proposed that there be a "stamp" which would be hired to employers on an annual basis and which would signify that their product met Union and Association requirements. There were three conditions, which had to be met before a firm would be allowed to use the Stamp:

• Firms (had to) observe in their entirety the Award governing the industry
• Firms (had to) strictly adhere to the schedule of prices and discounts as agreed by the Master Process Engravers
• Firms (had to) give preference of employment to members of the APTEU.

It will surprise no one to learn that the Stamp concept did not proceed because the "Masters" were unable at that time to agree on a price list.

The 1933-39 meetings lapsed. At the time the NSW President said that "the Union apparently had no confidence in their own representatives and asked that all questions be referred to a Committee of 20". This was unacceptable to the employers and the Council ceased to meet.

The meetings were recommenced ten years later and operated at least until 1954 after which there are no records. They may have continued for some time after that. The post-war meetings were described as those of the Joint Industrial "Committee" rather than "Council". The 1949 and subsequent meetings appear to have been a valuable means through which the employer and employee organisations could discuss industry issues in a positive way. They did not have the collusive, some might even say sinister, nuances of their pre-war predecessors.

Industry Exhibitions
The organisation has initiated/taken part in many promotional exhibitions.

Slow Payers
Exchanging information on slow payers has been a continuing and valuable activity to this day.

Materials Supplies/Quality/Price
Scores of problems have been dealt with under this heading. Some of the many have been glue, mounting wood, acid containers, zinc and inks.

Standard Colour Inks
A continuing discussion point for over 70 years.

Sales Tax
Sales Tax rates, tax on proofs, artwork, mounting wood, copper sheets and many other items have all been the subject of GASAA representations.

Technical Training
The Association, particularly at State level, has maintained a supportive interest in training.

Tariffs
The fact that much platemaking equipment and materials are imported and therefore potentially subject to tariffs has resulted in many submissions being made to the authorities. Conversely the Association has frequently acted to eradicate the improper importation of plates, separations etc.

Insurance
Many aspects of insurance have received attention including Workers Compensation rates, preferential rates for workers compensation, fire insurance and loss of profits.

Zinc Distribution
Zinc supply problems in the early 1950's caused the Federation to set up a zinc distribution quota scheme.

Technical Information
The organisation looked at the question of industry research on a number of occasions and issued various publications relating to Australian conditions. In addition, useful overseas publications were imported and distributed.

Technological Change
GASAA has kept abreast of the impact of technological change and fashioned appropriate policy responses. One of the first such instances with long term implications was in relation to electronic etching machines in 1952. Royalties on Powderless Etching Machines received a lot of attention in the late 1950's.

Public Relations
Many pamphlets and brochures promoting pre-press activities have been produced and distributed to customers. Liaison has been maintained with trade journals and industry groups. For a time in the 1960's, the Federation published its own magazine.

Schedule of minimum prices December, 1920

 

 

GASAA's "NAMES"

What's in a name? That which we call a rose,by any other name would smell as sweet
- Shakespeare (Romeo & Juliet)

GASAA's "elders" have clearly differed from Shakespeare's much quoted view. Indeed the association's name has been changed a number of times over the years either to keep pace with changing technology or to reflect changed social attitudes.

The 1923 "Master Process Engravers Association of Australia" was reconstructed in 1938 to become the "Federation of Master Process Engravers of Australia". The name change was probably introduced in order to highlight the major constitutional alterations being made and to ensure that everyone recognised a new era was beginning. Paradoxically, the new body was to be much more an "Association" (of individual members) than a "Federation" (of independent State Associations) but terminological exactitude played second fiddle to pragmatism.

By 1949 it was deemed prudent to pay homage to what we would later call "hi-tec". The word "Process" was dropped in favour of "Photo" and the full title became "The Federation of Master Photo Engravers of Australia".

Soon after that, in 1953, perceived social attitudes caused the word "Master" to be jettisoned. When first used in 1923, "Master" implied that the members brought a high level of technical skill to their day-to-day work. Subsequently many came to view "Master" as the opposite of "servant". Being a servant suggested being "servile". The word "Master" therefore had unpleasant connotations at a time when all right thinking people believed that Jack was as good as his master. So out went the word "Master" and the organisation became the "Photo Engravers Federation of Australia".

By 1959 a new technical environment had taken hold. Lithography was emerging as the giant to replace engraving. An all embracing term was needed and "Graphic Arts Platemaking" chosen. No one was, or is, quite sure what "Graphic Arts" meant but it had to have relevance because, after all, it was the name of the new Federal industrial award which governed employer/employee legal relationships in the industry.

"Graphic Arts" was a "catchy", modern phrase with good public relations potential.

The new name was thus the "Graphic Arts Platemaking Employers Federation of Australia". It is hard at this distance in time to determine why the word "employer" was introduced. Three possible reasons present themselves:

• The Master Printers Association of Australia had recently become the Printing and Allied Trades Employers Federation of Australia and it may have been thought that some parallel was appropriate.
• The plain "Photo Engravers Federation" wrongly suggested that employees, and perhaps others, would be entitled to membership.
• There may have been a hidden hankering to return to the discredited master/servant era and the word employer may have been regarded as an acceptable compromise.

Then, in 1976, the organisation adopted its current name of "Graphic Arts Services Association of Australia". The motive for dropping the word "platemaking " in favour of "services" had its genesis in the belief that the pre-press specialties of typesetting, electrotyping, stereotyping, photo engraving, litho platemaking and gravure cylinder making were either to become obsolete or were to merge into one super speciality. It may even have been felt that the creative form of "graphic art" would have a place in that super specialty too.

By adopting the phrase "graphic arts services" the Graphic Arts Services Association of Australia was ready for anything.

In summary, the official registration dates of the various names were:

• 01.04.40 The Federation of Master Process Engravers of Australia
• 22.04.49 The Federation of Master Photo Engravers of Australia
• 25.09.53 Photo Engravers Federation of Australia
• 12.02.59 The Graphic Arts Platemaking Employers Federation of Australia
• 16.11.76 The Graphic Arts Services Association of Australia

Adelaide 1973 – Past Presidents
J.Parker, F.Randle Jnr, N Burston, W.Ryan, R.Port

 

 

THE GASAA CONVENTIONS

In this section the terms "annual meeting", "ordinary meeting", "Conference" and "Convention" have been used loosely to describe any form of meeting at which general members of the Association could gather to discuss industry issues at a Federal (or "National") level. The name applied to these meetings depended on the Association's rules at the time and upon the fashion of the period.

Regular "meetings" of members have been a major feature of GASAA activities since the very early days. These meetings have often been given a title or a theme. Sometimes the title has been self explanatory and at other times obscure to say the least.

The titles have included Peace (1929), Equity (1920), Elasticity (1923), Co-operation (1925), Service (1927), Unity (1934), Loyalty (1936), Self Determination (1938), Kanny Goopna (1960), Crossroads (1962), Progress (1964), Surfside '69 (1969), Western Gateway (1963), Federal Jubilee (1973), Surfside '79 (1979) and Centre on Graphics '88 (1988).

The Victorian Association was responsible for the first of these interstate meetings. The Victorian Association had been established in the very early 1900's (the date is not known) and the NSW body in 1908.

On 14/15 May 1915 the first "interstate conference" took place. It was held in conjunction with the Victorian Association's "Dinner". Only NSW and Victorian delegates attended. Whether it took the form of what we would now call a Convention or whether it was merely a "meeting" to discuss common problems is lost in the past. It was the first of a number of "interstate" conferences which became increasingly regular and structured over time.

With the formation of the Federation on 6 April 1923 the "interstate conferences" gave way to "general meetings". Initially, discussions were between the "master process engravers" and centred upon commercial, technical and labour relations problems. As time went by, the practice of having formal addresses by industry members upon specific topics evolved.

At the 1953 Convention in Kiama there were two significant changes to the structure of Conventions. First, the formal business was split into two parts - the "Annual General Meeting" which dealt with the Annual Report and election of officers and the "Convention" at which delegates discussed policy issues.

The second development was to have a "technical session" after the formal closure of the first day of Convention business. On this initial occasion there was only one speaker. He was Bruce Tory who was a recognised authority on lithography, a one-time Head of the School of Graphic Arts in Sydney and the lithographic guru at the printing company of S T Leigh which, amongst other things, printed the cigarette packs for WD & HO Wills. (The Executive generously resolved to reimburse 10 guineas to Mr Tory "to cover his expenses in coming to Kiama").

The ice having been broken, "technical sessions" became a regular feature of the Convention period but until the late 1950's they were invariably presented by members themselves or by independent experts. In the '50s the practice was adopted of inviting the supply houses to present papers upon technical issues. At the time the industry was experiencing the first flush of the huge change in technology which was to sweep through over the next three decades and the membership was thirsty for information.

The pattern was thus set for what proved to be many hugely successful Conventions at which emphasis shifted a little away from policy discussions towards the acquisition of technical knowledge. Policy matters tended to be left increasingly to the Federal Executive.

The industry's supply houses came to play a very important part in GASAA Conventions. Their involvement in State Association activities between Conventions was also stepped up so that those members unable to attend Conventions could gain some insight into the information explosion.

Constitutional requirements imposed upon GASAA by reason of its registration under the Federal Industrial Arbitration laws prevented the supply houses from becoming full voting members. Nevertheless they achieved formal recognition as "Associates". A representative of the Associates was invited as a participating but necessarily non-voting attendee at all meetings of the Executive.

For their part, the supply houses were keen to foster the relationship as the Conventions in particular provided them with a first class opportunity to place their product details directly to the major decision makers. They could also build close personal relationships over a three or four day "live in" period. As most of the suppliers represented overseas principals it was an opportunity for those principals to be invited to come to Australia to gain a closer knowledge of their market and to build stronger ties with their distributors and customers. These overseas principals were only too happy to speak to captive audiences of buyers and the buyers were keen to hear what they had to say.

The effectiveness of these gatherings was further enhanced by the fact that the "buyers" present were for the most part technically qualified and therefore able to understand and assess what was being offered. Further, the capital cost of the new equipment was relatively low compared to today's multi- million dollar items and was within the reach of most companies.

There is no doubt that all participants benefited greatly from the close bonds that ensued. Those benefits are still being enjoyed even though harsher economic times, the cost of technology and the abolition of many processes have reduced the number of players. Members and suppliers still find worthwhile advantages can be gained mutually by co-operating in the sharing of knowledge.

In this period, and for the following 20 years, attendance numbers at Conventions invariably exceeded 100, made up of more-or-less equal numbers of manufacturing and supply house delegates.

A number of members attended many Conventions over a long period of time. Amongst the most assiduous attendees have been:

F A Randle Jnr (34 Conventions 1941 to 1988)
J A Chalk (30 Conventions from 1958 to 1992)
E V Clark (27 Conventions from 1957 to 1988)
J C Parker (25 Conventions from 1954 to 1988)
R H Porter (25 Conventions from 1951 to 1985)
R S McDougall (24 Conventions from 1962 to 1992)
W H Ryan (24 Conventions from 1957 to 1989)
R A Enticott (23 Conventions from 1939 to 1982)
C J Rush (20 Conventions from 1945 to 1969)
R S Robey (20 Conventions from 1964 to 1992)
N L Burston (20 Conventions from 1951 to 1975)
R C Hughes (20 Conventions from 1949 to 1978)

The point should be made that the above figures are based on records which themselves do not claim 100% accuracy.

What about delegates' wives?

In April 1955 the Executive gave attention to possibility of delegates' wives participating in some fashion in the forthcoming Conventions to be held at Mount Eliza. Until that time, Conventions were very much a "men only" affair.

The Executive "noted that all States favoured provision being made for accommodation for the wives of delegates who may wish to accompany their husbands, provided that such accommodation was other than at the site of the actual Convention". The Executive "expressed a view that no organised form of entertainment should be arranged for the ladies as it was felt that they would probably prefer to make their own arrangements".

The organisers of the 1957 Convention at Wrest Point (Tasmania) stated in the Registration material that delegates "who desire to bring their wives to Hobart during Convention Week may arrange accommodation through the Association". Presumably they were not allowed to stay at Wrest Point!

In March 1959, the Executive gave further attention to this vexing problem and decided, in relation to the 1959 Berri Convention, that "members" wives would not be permitted to attend the Convention although arrangements would be made to "entertain them at either Adelaide or Mildura".

Feminine agitation must have continued quietly behind the scenes because at the next Wrest Point Convention ten years later, wives were allowed to stay at Wrest Point itself but not to attend any formal functions.

In March 1968, the Executive pronounced

that wives should be permitted to attend Conventions providing:

• there were suitable accommodations,
• suitable arrangements were made for their entertainment, and
• they attend no social functions with the exception of the opening cocktail party and the free day outing

The latter proviso meant, for example, that wives were not allowed at the Convention Dinner at which, traditionally, much heavy "work" of a masculine character was undertaken. This restriction continued until the 1975 Convention but even on that occasion the President's wife was not allowed to sit at the official table. This was somewhat peculiar because the Guest Speaker was a woman!

Today's wives, of course, are for all practical purposes free to participate in all parts of the Convention. The only snag is they have to pay the appropriate registration fee!

SUMMARY OF CONVENTION LOCATIONS

(For these purposes, "Convention" is taken to mean interstate conferences and annual meetings as well as Conventions as now recognised by the Association).

 

Year	Date	Month	Location
1915	14/15	May	Melbourne, VIC
1915	10	September	Sydney, NSW
1916	Not known	Not known	Melbourne, VIC
1916	Not known	September	Sydney, NSW
1919	5	December	Melbourne, VIC
1920	14/15	October	Royal National Park, NSW
1921	Not Known	May	Brisbane, QLD
1923	5/9	April	Healesville, vIC
1925	23/26	April	Wentworth Falls, NSW
1927	26/30	April	Adelaide, SA
1929	9	April	Warburton, VIC
1934	3/6	May	Sydney, NSW
1936	5/8	May	Mt Eliza, VIC
1938	9/13	May	Toronto, NSW
1939	26	October	Canberra, ACT
1941	4	October	Sydney, NSW
1943	27	September	Sydney, NSW
1945	22	September	Sydney, NSW
1947	22	September	Sydney, NSW
1948	27	September	Sydney, NSW
1949	10	November	Mt Eliza, VIC
1950	5/6	October	Medlow Baths, NSW
1951	4/5	October	Healesville, VIC
1952	2/3	October	Victor Harbour, SA
1953	8/9	October	Kiama, NSW
1954	14/16	September	Rockingham, WA
1955	4/6	October	Mt Eliza, VIC
1956	24/27	September	Surfers Paradise, QLD
1957	1/2	October	Hobart, TAS
1958	22/26	September	Terrigal, NSW
1959	5/9	October	Berri, SA
1960	17/21	October	Shepparton, VIC
1961	2/6	October	Surfers Paradise, QLD
1962	7/12	October	Terrigal, NSW
1963	15/18	October	Cottesloe, WA
1964	12/13	October	Warrnambool, VIC
1965	26/27	September	Berri, SA
1967	2/4	April	Wrest Point, TAS
1968	17/19	March	Canberra, ACT
1969	16/18	March	Surfers Paradise, QLD
1970	15/18	March	Warrnambool, VIC
1971	14/17	March	Scarborough, WA
1972	13/15	March	Thredbo, NSW
1973	5/6	March	Glenelg, SA
1974	24/26	March	Surfers Paradise, QLD
1975	16/18	March	Melbourne, VIC
1976	21/23	March	Coogee, NSW
1977	23/25	March	Surfers Paradise, QLD
1978	15/17	March	Phillip Island, VIC
1979	27/29	March	Perth, WA
1980	16/18	March	Leura, NSW
1981	15/17	March	Glenelg, SA
1982	29/30	April	Queenstown, NZ
1983	7/10	March	Phillip Island, VIC
1984	18/20	March	Leura, NSW
1985	17/19	March	Surfers Paradise, QLD
1986	20/22	March	Adelaide, SA
1987	13/15	March	Ballarat, VIC
1988	27/28	March	Alice Springs, NT
1989	4/6	March	Canberra, ACT
1990	9/10	March	Hobart, TAS
1991	24/26	March	Hamilton Island, QLD
1992	11/13	March	Terrigal, NSW

(Note that there was no Convention in 1966 because the Conventions were then moved from Spring to Autumn. Having a 1966 Convention in Spring 1966 would have meant only a six month period would have elapsed from the 1965 Conventions).

 

GASAA COMPANIES

Frequent name changes, amalgamations, changes in ownership and "take-overs" make it impractical to trace with accuracy the evolution of GASAA's member companies over the years particularly as the detail of many of those changes was not publicly known even at the time.

It is not possible to trace members of the "first Federation" because there are no records of who they were. Their membership arose from their membership of a State Association and, without having State membership records of the period, there is no reliable starting point.

As a matter of general interest, however, some comment is made of the companies, which were Foundation Members of the "new" Federation in 1938. Being direct members of the new Federation their names are in the national records. It is stressed that the information about their subsequent fortunes, which is set out below is based largely on the recollections of a number of individuals each of whom would concede the fallibility of memory. For that reason the information presented may well contain some inaccuracies.

 

• Apex Engraving Pty Ltd: A Melbourne company founded in the early 1930's by H G Zimmerman and Arthur Leyshon. The latter was President in 1962/64. Merged with Duographics Pty Ltd in 1980 at which time trading ceased under the Apex name. Don Zimmerman (a son of H G) and Ray Risstrom are the 1993 proprietors of Duographics.
• W T Baker Pty Ltd: W T Baker was a member of the NSW Association as early as 1908. The business was bought immediately prior to World War II by John Sands Pty Ltd, a large and long established printing company. It continued to operate as a trade house until 1963 at which time it was absorbed into John Sands.
• Ben Jordan-Dolphin Pty Ltd: This was the Melbourne "arm" of the Sydney company of Ben Jordan Pty Ltd. The Jordan family had a major interest. The Melbourne company was taken over by E (Ernie) R Scott and became Scott Graphic Arts. It merged with C H Taylor Pty Ltd and later became jointly owned in the 1960's and 70's by Sydney's Bacon & Co (A T Day) and Alfred Johns (C J Rush). R S McDougall (later a President) was a Director of Scott Graphic Arts in 1964/68. Scott Graphics eventually became part of the Show Ads Group.
• S A Best Pty Ltd: A Brisbane company formed by Sydney Arnold Best who was very active in the Queensland Association and at national level. Started a subsidiary in Newcastle which became a member of the NSW Association. The Theaker family came to own the Brisbane business. It later passed to W Ryan but ceased trading at that time under the S A Best name.
• British Australian Photo Process Engraving Co: A Sydney company located in Bathurst St. Joined the NSW Association in 1934. Messrs Butterworth, (Harry) Bradbury, Ayres and Grumitt are believed to have been the proprietors in the 1929 period. It continued to trade until well into the 1950's.
• S R Delmont Ltd: An Adelaide company. Stephen R Delmont was GASAA's second national President (1925/27). The company continues to operate in 1993 under the helm of Stephen's grandson David.
• A H Enticott & Co: A Melbourne company. AH Enticott is shown in NSW records as having been a member of the Victorian Association circa 1914. He was a Life Member of the Victorian Association. The company continued in the family's hands until it ceased trading in 1990.
• Freshwater Pty Ltd: A Sydney company begun by Ben Freshwater. Joined the NSW Association in 1934. Was continued by his son-in-law, E S (Ernie) Wright. The name changed to CGI (Combined Graphic Industries) but the company ceased operating in the late 70's.
• F A Harris: A Sydney company primarily owned by F A (Fred) Harris and which commenced shortly before World War II. It closed its doors temporarily during the War but reopened. Finally ceased operating in or about the '60s. Towards its end it was operated by George Hayes and Roy Hutchison.
• Hartland & Hyde Pty Ltd: An old Sydney company, which was a Foundation member of the NSW Association in 1908. The "Hartland" of "Hartland & Hyde" parted company from E J Hyde in the 1930's. Three generations of the Hyde family (E J, E A J, and Michael) were successively involved in its management to 1992. A major reconstruction of its affairs took place in 1992. A company, H & H Services Pty Ltd, commenced operating at that time.
• A A Lawson Pty Ltd: A Sydney company started by A A (Bert) Lawson and continued by his son (also "Bert"). Sold to the Ward family. W H (Bill) Ward was at one time a President of the NSW body. He sold the company to C (Colin) Gee who continued to trade as Colin Gee Pty Ltd.
• A W Letts & Co: A Sydney company. Joined the NSW Association in 1934. Was run for a period post World War II by Les Padman and Doug Cassingham both of whom came from Morris Productions and went to Press Etching in Brisbane during 1959. A W Letts & Co ceased trading at that time.
• Lyell-Owen Pty Ltd: Owned in 1938 by A Lyell (President 1927/29) and (Oscar) Owen. Was continued by O Owen's son C (Clarrie) and, on his death, by C Owen's son John. The name was changed to Owen Printing Plates. Closed down in the '70s.
• Modern Reproduction Pty Ltd: A Melbourne company established in 1937 by Frederick J Nicoll. On his death in 1953 his son Garnet and uncle, Les Nicoll, assumed responsibility followed in 1961 by Garnet's sons Graham and Ian. F J Nicoll was an important person in the foundation of the employees' Union (the Victorian Process Engravers Association) in or around 1912. The company continues to operate.
• Morris Pty Ltd: A Sydney company. Now Morris Productions. Started by E R (Ebenezer) Morris and later owned by the Edwards family (Senior and Junior). Both were national Presidents. Is currently controlled by the third Edwards generation (George R Edwards). Withdrew from platemaking in the 60's in favour of metal plate engraving (nameplates). Now manufactures printed circuit boards. Apart from the Edwards family, E J (Eddie) Murch was a regular representative at Association activities.
• Omega Process Engravers: A Melbourne company of which T Johnson was proprietor. He was also the proprietor of Show Ads. Omega was involved in engraving and Show Ads in litho. His wife was a Sidwell. Members of the Sidwell family now operate Show Ads-Omega. (See Show Ads).
• Patterson Shugg Pty Ltd: A Melbourne company established by Jno Patterson and Charles B Shugg. The latter's son C P (also Charles but known as Carl) Shugg was President in 1934/36. The company set up Directoplate (to handle litho) and other subsidiaries for gravure and electronic engraving. Then linked with Robinson Engraving to form Allgraphics, which briefly was owned by David Syme. Allgraphics eventually became absorbed into the Show Ads group.
• L Ponsford & Co Pty Ltd: A Sydney company. Joined the NSW Association in 1934. J Leonard Ponsford was elected NSW President in 1937. It ceased trading in 1943 soon after the death of its proprietor.
• Porter & Barnett: An Adelaide company. R H (Reg) Porter was President 1958/60. The company ceased trading under its name in about 1984 following his death.
• Prebble & James Pty Ltd: A Melbourne company. Was a member of the Victorian Association circa 1914 according to a note at the back of the first NSW Minute Book. A M (Bert) Gange of that company became an Honorary Member. Was eventually absorbed by A H Hughes.
• Publicity Engraving: A Queensland company. C P (Charles) Theaker represented the company in the early days but little is known of it. C P Theaker came to be associated with S A Best Pty Ltd and Publicity Engraving ceased being mentioned in the records.
• Randle Photo Engraving Co Pty Ltd: A Sydney company. A Foundation member of the NSW Association in 1908. Fred A Randle Snr was the first President of the "first" Federation in 1923. Fred A Randle Jnr was President in 1967/69. The company was absorbed into Hartland & Hyde in 1983.
• Royal Process Engravers Pty Ltd: A Melbourne company. Ernest Sylvester Bolle of the company was one of only two people to have been twice President. The other was R S (Bob) Robey. Royal Process Engravers became Robinson Process Engravers in the 1950's.
• John Sands Pty Ltd: Was a long established large printing company based in Sydney. Ceased trade house activities in its own name. Purchased W T Baker & Co.
• Show Ads Art Photo Engravers: A Melbourne company. Continues to operate in 1993 and has proven itself one of the largest and most successful pre-press trade houses in Australia - perhaps in the world. Its initial proprietor was T (Tommy) Johnson whose wife is a member of the Sidwell family. The Sidwell family continues to operate the business. It has absorbed a number of other pre-press houses over the years and now trades as Show Ads-Omega. (See also Omega Process Engravers).
• Star Engraving Co Pty Ltd: A Sydney company. In 1938 it was owned by Roy Selig and Stan Whitehouse. The company was acquired by Sydney Horwitz in 1947 (approx). On his death it was managed by his widow (Mrs Nuri Horwitz). Mrs Horwitz has subsequently become known as a writer of childrens' stories using the name of Nuri Mass. She sold the engraving part of Star to G (George) Perry in the early '70s who owned it until his death in 1988. It continues to be operated by his son, also George, and still uses the "Star" name.
• C H Taylor Pty Ltd: A Melbourne company. C H (Claire) Taylor was a President of the Victorian body in 1925/26. The company was merged with Scott Graphics which, in turn, eventually became part of the Show Ads group.
• R J Thomas: A Melbourne company. Is known to have been operating at 479 Collins St at least as far back as 1919. R J Thomas was a Life Member of the Victorian Association. No other information about the company is known.

Berri – 1959
Back Row: R Needs, K.Gillespie, J. Clark, I. Mooney, B. Higgins, N. Dickson, H. Richardson, R. Allen, A. White, L. Shanks, D. Levido, H. Griffith, J. Maunsell, R. Doyle, R. Robinson
Second Row: G. Francis, R. Hallet, C. Williams, W. Iddon, E. Clark, A. Gange, D. Swarbrick, R. Woodhead, G. Sargant, E. Wright, B. Jordan, R. Crush, E. Hyde Jnr, E. Nelson, V. Loader.
Third Row: H. Elderfield, L. Middows, J. Fenwick, r. Castle, E. Davidson, J. Ridland, R. Johnson, Mrs Horwitz, L. Aynsley, E. Murch, C. Williams, c. Rush, E. Easling, F. Harris, D. Murdoch.
Front Row: R. Hughes, A. Leyshon, f. Randle Jnr, C. Macdonald, R. Porter, N. Burston, C. Theaker, R. Young, D. Davis, G. Harris.

 

 

GASAA PEOPLE

GASAA is, and always has been, an association of business enterprises rather than of individuals. In most instances, and particularly in the early days, this was a distinction without a difference because the firms were small and usually owned by the same individual or individuals who participated in association activities at State or Federal level.

This fact, plus the relatively small number of members overall, meant that all the proprietors were invariably personally acquainted.

As a result, the story of GASAA tends to emphasise the involvement of people rather then of companies. Almost all the records refer to people rather than to the firms they represented.

Federal Presidents

The list of past Presidents invokes many memories to anyone who has been involved with GASAA for any length of time. A number of the names such as Randle, Shugg, Delmont, Hyde, Parker and Robey bring to mind people or companies which remain well known even though the original companies of many may have ceased to exist or been absorbed or reconstructed.

Others such as E Sylvester Bolle, F Watkins, and G H and G W Edwards would mean nothing to many of today's pre-press people. Yet they were all persons who made major contributions of their time and abilities towards fostering the well-being of their fellows. It is satisfying to be able at least to record their names.

NATIONAL PRESIDENTS

• 1923-25 F A Randle (Snr) NSW Fred
• 1925-27 S R Delmont SA Stephen
• 1927-29 A Lyell VIC Andrew
• 1929-34 M Fraser QLD Murray
• 1934-36 C P Shugg VIC Carl
• 1936-38 E J Hyde NSW Ernest
• 1938-41 E Sylvester Bolle VIC Ernest
• 1941-43 G H Edwards NSW George
• 1943-45 E Sylvester Bolle VIC Ernest
• 1945-48 C P Theaker QLD Charlie
• 1948-50 G W Edwards NSW George
• 1950-52 F Watkins VIC Fred
• 1952-54 E A Hyde NSW Ernest
• 1954-56 N L Burston SA Norman
• 1956-58 F G Parker WA Fred
• 1958-60 R H Porter SA Reg
• 1960-62 C J MacDonald TAS Charles
• 1962-64 A A Leyshon VIC Arthur
• 1964-67 D P Theaker QLD Doug
• 1967-69 F A Randle (Jnr) NSW Fred
• 1969-71 F G Francis VIC Geoff
• 1971-73 W H Ryan NSW Bill
• 1973-75 J C Parker WA Jim
• 1975-77 B Surman SA Brian
• 1977-79 J A Chalk NSW John
• 1979-81 E V Clark VIC Mac
• 1981-83 A W Smith NSW Andrew
• 1983-85 R S Robey VIC Bob
• 1985-85 F W Bevan NSW Frank
• 1985-86 R S Robey VIC Bob
• 1986-88 C J Brand SA Collin
• 1988-90 K Gillies VIC Ken
• 1990-92 R S McDougall NSW Roy
• 1992- D A Beck SA Don

Honorary Members

The term "Life Membership" has never been used by the Association at the national level. Instead, "Honorary Membership" has been conferred by the national body upon a small group of persons whose contemporaries believed had worked particularly hard and effectively for the benefit of the Association.

It should be noted that those listed are persons who have been accorded this honour Federally. Some State Associations have rewarded selected members with similar recognition but no concerted effort has been made here to record the identity of those people desirable though that might be. This is partly because this is a story of GASAA at a Federal level and partly because comprehensive State records are not available.

The persons who have been made Honorary Members of GASAA are, in alphabetical order:

• N L Norman Burston SA, NSW
• J A John Chalk NSW
• G W George Edwards, Jnr NSW
• A M Bert Gange VIC
• F G Fred Parker, Snr WA
• J G Jim Parker, Jnr WA
• F A Fred Randle, Jnr NSW
• R S Bob Robey VIC
• W H Bill Ryan NSW, QLD
• B Brian Surman SA

Secretaries

The Secretary's role in any organisation is pivotal. In many cases the Secretary exercises even more long term influence than the President of the day because of the relative permanency of the former as against the transience in office of the latter.

In the early days of most associations the Secretaryship is an honorary position but, as the body matures, a professional appointment of one sort or another is usually made. This was the case with GASAA when H R Irving was appointed to the NSW Association in 1937 and to the Federal body in 1938.

Honorary Secretaries

• E J Hyde Snr 1923/25 Ernest
• G Illingworth 1925/27 George
• C P Shugg 1927/29 Carl
• S A Best 1929/34 Syd
• A Lyell 1934/36 Andrew
• G H Edwards 1936/38 George

Renumerated Secretaries

• H R Irving 1938/51 Harold
• L C Aynsley 1951/58 Lindsay
• D H Davis 1958/68 Don
• I W Saunders 1968/75 Ian
• M J Farley 1975/87 Max
• G J Knespal 1987 Garry

PARTICIPATORS

It would be altogether too large a task to record the names of all those thousands of persons who have participated in Association activities. In keeping with the emphasis in this story upon "people" we have made some effort to list the names of many persons who have contributed significantly at a Federal level or who have participated in other ways.

• AYNSLEY L C Lin: Secretary/Treasurer 1951/1958. Associated with H R Irving, D H Davis and, later I W Saunders, in a Sydney firm of Accountants which eventually evolved to become Aynsley, Davis & Charles.
• BACON S W: Bacon & Co, NSW. The Convenor of the inaugural meeting of the NSW Association, which was held at The Criterion Hotel on 29 May 1908. The NSW Association's first President. The company was managed in the '30s and '40s by his son-in-law E J Eddie Martin and his family with C J John Rush becoming a part owner in 1946.
• BAKER W T: W T Baker & Co Pty Ltd, NSW. Present at the inaugural meeting of the NSW Association in 1908. The company was a Foundation member of the "new" Federation in 1938. He attended 3 Conventions from 1927 to 1939.
• BARNETT G: Porter & Barnett, SA. A member of the Committee, which drafted the 1938 Constitution. The Company was a Foundation member of the "new" Federation in 1938.
• BEADLE S L Stan: Litho Platemakers Pty Ltd, SA. Attended at least 6 Conventions from 1965 to 1976.
• BECK D Don: B & D Platemakers Pty Ltd Impact Graphics Pty Ltd, SA. Attended at least 9 Conventions from 1973 to 1991. National Executive member 1986/93. National President 1992/3.
• BENNETT G A Geoff: Secretary/Industrial Officer of PATEFA from 1948 to 1959. Industrial Officer of GASAA for a similar period.
• BEST S A Sydney: S A Best Pty Ltd, Qld. The company was a Foundation member of the "new" Federation in 1938. S A Best was on the Committee, which drafted the 1938 Constitution. A National Executive member 1923/34 & 1943. Honorary Secretary/Treasurer 1929/34. Vice President 1943.
• BEVAN F W Frank: Dalley Middleton Moore Pty Ltd et al, NSW. National Executive member 1981/85. National President 1985. Attended at least 10 Conventions from 1970 to 1985.
• BOLLE E SYLVESTER Ernest: Royal Process Engravers Pty Ltd, Vic. National Executive member 1938/45. National President 1938/40 & 1943/45. Was on the Committee, which drafted the 1938 Constitution. The company was a Foundation member of the "new" Federation in 1938.
• BRADFORD E A Ern: Secretary of the NSW Association from its inauguration in 1908 until H R Irving assumed that position in 1937. Was a professional photographer. Appointed a Life Member of the NSW Association in 1937.
• BRAND C J Collin: Paceset Graphics Pty Ltd, SA. National Executive member 1983/88. National President 1986/88. Attended at least 10 Conventions from 1981 to 1991.
• BROCKMAN R Reg: Precision Litho Plate Co Pty Ltd et al, NSW. Attended at least 7 Conventions from 1964 to 1980.
• BURSTON N L Norman: Adelaide Art Engravers Pty Ltd, SA until 1961 then Eastern States Platemakers Pty Ltd, NSW. National Executive member 1951/56, 1958/61. National President 1954/6. Honorary member. Attended at least 20 Conventions from 1951 to 1975.
• CALLAHAN P Paul Snr: The long time publisher of "The Australian Printer". Attended many Conventions usually accompanied by his wife Ann Lawson and has been supportive of GASAA from the 1960's to 90's.
• CARTLIDGE D David: P Rowe Pty Ltd and subsequently Kodak. A supply house delegate who attended Conventions from 1964 to the 90's.
• CASSINGHAM B Brian: Representative of Cass & Co Pty Ltd at the time he was National Executive member for Queensland 1986/90. Subsequently linked with Savage Graphics. Was earlier with Press Etchings, Du Pont and Hughes & Son. His father Doug came originally from Morris Productions and A W Letts & Co in Sydney together with Les Padman and represented Press Etchings of Queensland at the 1964/5/7 Conventions.
• CASSINGHAM J Jeffrey: Intraset Pty Ltd, Qld. National Executive member 1992/3.
• CASTLE R E Ron: Apex Engraving Co Pty Ltd, Smith & Miles Engraving Pty Ltd, NSW. Attended at least 12 Conventions from 1959 to 1982.
• CHALK J A John: Hartland & Hyde Pty Ltd, NSW. Attended at least 30 Conventions from 1958 to 1992. National Executive member 1971/79. National President 1977/9. Honorary Member.
• CHAMBERS T R Tom: Chief Executive of PATEFA from 1983 to date. Previously Industrial Relations Manager of PATEFA in which capacity he assisted GASAA on industrial matters during the 60's and early 760's.
• CHURCHILL D C Doug: Dy-Tone Pty Ltd, ACP Manufacturers Pty Ltd. A supply house delegate who attended at least 12 Conventions from 1967 to 1978.
• CLARK E V Mac: Apex Engraving Pty Ltd, Vic. Served his apprenticeship at Apex and rose to become Manager and a Director. Attended at least 26 Conventions from 1957 to 1988. National Executive member 1969/81. National President 1979/81. Life Member of the Victorian Association.
• CONNORS B Barry: Colour Scanners Pty Ltd et al, NSW. Though he only attended approximately 5 Conventions he made a valuable contribution on technical matters.
• COOTE J John: Network Graphics Pty Ltd, NSW. National Executive member 1992/3.
• DAVIDSON E H Ted: P Rowe & Co Ltd. A supply house delegate who attended at least 9 Conventions from 1959 to 1971.
• DAVIS D H Don: Secretary/Treasurer from 1958 to 1968.
• DELMONT S R Stephen: S R Delmont Pty Ltd, Delmont Photo- Mechanix Pty Ltd, SA. National President 1925/27. Vice President 1938/40. Was on the Committee, which drafted the 1938 Constitution. The company was a Foundation member of the "new" Federation in 1938.
• DEVERS B Brian: Scott Graphic Arts Pty Ltd, Vic. Attended at least 8 Conventions from 1984 to 1992. An earlier representative of the company was his brother Bill Devers.
• DICKSON N M Nelson: N M Dickson Pty Ltd, NSW. Attended 15 Conventions from 1949 to 1972.
• DYSON S G Stan: Kodak A'Asia. A supply house delegate who attended at least 14 Conventions from 1963 to 1979.
• EDWARDS E G Eric: Haigh's Foto Art Pty Ltd, Qld. National Executive member 1979/80.
• EDWARDS G H George Snr: Morris Pty Ltd, NSW. National Executive member 1936/47. Honorary Secretary/Treasurer 1936/38. National President 1941/43. Attended at least 9 Conventions from 1929 to 1950. Was a member of the Committee, which drafted the 1938 Constitution. Served part time at the Technical College as a Camera Operating teacher in the 1930's. The company was a Foundation member of the "new" Federation in 1938.
• EDWARDS G W George Jnr: Morris Productions Pty Ltd, NSW. National Executive member 1948/58. National President 1948/50. Attended at least 12 Conventions from 1947 to 1972. Honorary member.
• ELDERFIELD H Harry: Photo Lithographic & Engraving Co Pty Ltd, NSW. H Elderfield attended at least 7 Conventions from 1948 to 1955.
• ENTICOTT R A Roy: A H Enticott & Co, Vic. Attended at least 23 Conventions from 1938 to 1982. A Life Member of the Victorian Association as was A H Enticott before him. His son Graham also attended a number of Conventions. The company was a Foundation member of the "new" Federation in 1938.
• FARLEY M J Max: Industrial Officer 1959/70, 1973/75, 1987/93. Secretary/Treasurer 1975/1987. Also Executive Director PATEFA NSW 1951/70 and Joint National Director PATEFA 1959/70. Founder of Association Management Pty Ltd in 1970. Held the title of "Industrial Officer" after relinquishing the Secretaryship.
• FAUCETT J John: Litho Platemakers Pty Ltd, SA. National Executive member 1981/83. Vice President 1981/83. Attended at least 8 Conventions from 1973 to 1989.
• FITTON J John: Middows Bros later Crabtree Middows Pty Ltd. Attended at least 9 Conventions from 1968 to 1980. Made a significant contribution to the general enjoyment of those events.
• FRANCIS F G Geoff: Photo Art Reproductions Pty Ltd, Vic. National Executive member 1965/71. National President 1969/71. Attended 13 Conventions from 1959 to 1973.
• FRASER M Murray: A Queensland delegate. National President 1929/34. Died whilst President aged in his eighties. His Company Murray Fraser & Co was continued by S A Goubareff and then by the Theaker family S A Best Pty Ltd.
• GANGE A M Bert: Prebble & James Pty Ltd, Vic. National Executive member 1951/52. Attended at least 13 Conventions from 1941 to 1964. Honorary Member. Company was a Foundation Member of the "new" Federation in 1938.
• GILLESPIE K W Keith: Secretary of the Victorian Association during the 1950's. Also Manager of PATEA Vic and Joint National Director of PATEFA 1959/70. Was subsequently Chief Executive of the Australian Chamber of Manufacturers.
• GILLIES K Ken: Pre-Press Colourpower Pty Ltd, et al, Vic. National Executive member 1983/93. National President 1988/90. Attended at least 15 Conventions from 1978 to 1992.
• HAIGH J John: John Haigh Engravers Pty Ltd, Qld. National Executive member 1964/67.
• HARRIS F A Fred: F A Harris Pty Ltd, NSW. Attended at least 13 Conventions from 1938 to 1964. Company was a Foundation Member of the "new" Federation in 1938.
• HARRIS L: National Executive member for Tasmania 1960/61.
• HOLT S Stan: ACP Manufacturers, Collie & Co, Printing Technologies. A supply house delegate. Attended at least 17 Conventions from 1964 to 1983.
• HOPE R Rod: Howson Algraphy, et al. A supply house delegate. Attended at least 11 Conventions from 1976 to 1990.
• HUGHES A Tony: Hughes & Son Pty Ltd, Qld. National Executive member 1967/68, 1969/73.
• HUGHES R C Reg: A Hughes & Son, Vic. National Executive member 1962/64. Attended at least 20 Conventions from 1949 to 1978.
• HYDE E A Ernest Jnr: Hartland & Hyde Pty Ltd, NSW. National Executive member 1951/54. National President 1952/54. Attended at least 16 Conventions from 1941 to 1961.
• HYDE E J Ernest Snr: Hartland & Hyde Pty Ltd, NSW. National Executive member 1923/34, 1936/38, 1945/46. Honorary Secretary/Treasurer 1923/25. National President 1936/38. Was Chairman of the Committee, which drafted the 1938 Constitution. Attended at least 14 Conventions from 1919 to 1950. The company was a Foundation member of the "new" Federation in 1938.
• ILLINGWORTH G W George: Originally from Yorkshire. Migrated to NSW 1894 and to South Australia 1898. Was Managing Director of Adelaide Suburban Advertisements Co for 17 years. Is listed in Association records as representing S R Delmont Ltd but is not believed to have been formally associated with that company in the very early days but was a Director in 1940. Possibly participated initially as a personal associate of Stephen Delmont and, perhaps, as Honorary Secretary of the SA Association. National Executive member 1923/27, 1941/43. Honorary Secretary 1925/27. Was Mayor of Unley 1927/28 and represented Goodwood in the South Australian Parliament 1938/41. Also an active committeeman of the SA Master Printers Association in the early '20s.
• IRVING H R Harold: Secretary/Treasurer 1938/51. Was a Partner in the Accounting firm of H R Irving & Co, which evolved into Aynsley Davis & Charles in 1964. Each of the three Partners was at one time a Secretary/Treasurer. I W Saunders, another Secretary/Treasurer, was also associated with the firm.
• JOHNSON T G Tom: Show Ads Art Photo Engravers Pty Ltd, Omega Process Engravers. An active member of the Victorian Association for many years. Attended at least 6 Conventions between 1938 and 1957. Show Ads Art Photo Engravers and the associated company of Omega Process Engravers were both Foundation members of the "new" Federation in 1938. They have, under the control of the Sidwell family, continued to expand.
• JORDAN B R Ben Jnr: Ben Jordan Pty Ltd, NSW. Attended at least 11 Conventions from 1952 to 1972.
• JORDAN H R Ben Snr: Ben Jordan Pty Ltd, NSW. Attended at least 2 Conventions in the 1941/43 period. Originally from the UK, he represented South Africa at soccer. Came to Sydney to work as an artist at Smith's Weekly. Linked with a gentleman called Dolphin to form Ben Jordan-Dolphin in Melbourne.
• KNESPAL G J Garry: Secretary/Treasurer 1987/-.
• LAMONT R G Bob: 3M, Du Pont. A supply house representative. Attended at least 11 Conventions from 1972 to 1991.
• LAWSON A A Snr & Jnr: A A Lawson Pty Ltd, NSW. The company was a member of the "new" Federation in 1938. A A Lawson Jnr was on the Committee, which drafted the Constitution. A A Lawson Snr was a part time teacher at the Technical College. Both were regular delegates at Conventions.
• LEYSHON A E Arthur: Apex Engraving Pty Ltd, Vic. Company was a Foundation member of the "new" Federation in 1938. National Executive member 1956/64. National President 1962/64. Attended at least 17 Conventions from 1950 to 1969.
• LINTON R Sir Richard: Honorary Secretary of the Victorian Association from the very early days. Advised NSW members on the formation of the NSW Association. A New Zealander who managed Middows Bros a supply house branches in Brisbane, Perth and, from 1907, Melbourne. A Life Member of the Victorian Association. Acquired a large interest in the Middows business but retired from that position in 1924. Was a Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly 1927/33 and Victorian Agent-General in London in 1933/36. Founded the Big Brother Movement. Initiated the Linton Cup 1923 for Junior Interstate tennis competition.
• LUCIANO A Albert: Century Storage Battery Co. A supplier of zinc in the 1950's and 1960's. A regular Convention attendee and one of the first suppliers to do so. Attended at least 8 Conventions from 1958 to 1968.
• LYELL A Andrew Snr & Jnr: Both of Lyell-Owen Pty Ltd, Vic. A Lyell Snr is shown as having represented the "Melbourne P E Co" at 214 Queen St around 1919. A Lyell Snr was National Executive member 1927/36, National President 1927/29 and Honorary Secretary 1934/36. He attended at least 4 Conventions from 1927 to 1938. It was probably A Lyell Jnr who attended 9 Conventions from 1948 to 1958.
• MALZARD K Ken: Adelaide Art Engravers Pty Ltd, SA. National Executive member 1969/71. Was a delegate to at least 15 Conventions from 1959 to 1981. An ex-Serviceman, he took responsibility for arranging a social evening at each Convention he attended.
• MARKBY H V Harry: Harry Markby's Services Pty Ltd, et al, Vic. Attended at least 13 Conventions from 1962 to 1985.
• MARSHALL A J Bert: S A Best NSW Pty Ltd, Best & Pontey, NSW. The company was the Newcastle subsidiary of S A Best Pty Ltd of Brisbane. Attended at least 9 Conventions from 1938 to 1953.
• McSHANE C Clyde: McShane & Pead, WA. National Executive member 1958/9.
• MIDDLETON N Noel: Associated Lithographers Pty Ltd, et al, NSW. A well known figure in the NSW Association particularly in the 1970's. Attended a number of Conventions in that period and was a NSW State President.
• MIDDOWS F Frank: Middows Bros. A paper and machinery supply house. Based in Sydney, F Middows was a strong supporter of the association concept in all States from the outset. The company later Crabtree Middows was active in Association affairs from the early 1900's. F Middows became an Honorary Member of the NSW Association.
• MIDDOWS L Lionel: Middows Bros. L Middows attended at least 15 Conventions from 1959 to 1974. He was a major influence in building the strong links between the Members and Associates, which were forged in the '60s.
• MOONEY I Ian: Associated Photo Engraving Pty Ltd, NSW. National Executive member 1962/64.
• MOORE R Bob: The "mor" of Calmor Associates, publishers of Australian Printer. Did not remain long in partnership with P Callahan in that venture and became a PR consultant. Undertook some projects for GASAA in the 60's and 70's.
• MORONEY J John: Hartland & Hyde Pty Ltd. National Executive member 1990/92. Attended 9 Conventions from 1984 to 1992.
• MacDONALD C J Charles: The Mercury Newspaper Pty Ltd, Tasmania. National Executive member 1959/73. National President 1960/62.
• McDOUGALL R S Roy: Alfred Johns Pty Ltd, NSW. Executive member 1985/92. National President 1990/92. Attended at least 24 Conventions from 1962 to 1992. Was a NSW President on three separate occasions.
• NISBET T: WA National Executive member and Vice President 1927/31. His WA connections are not known but he may have been connected with a newspaper company.
• ORPWOOD K Ken: Mercury Newspapers Ltd, Tasmania. National Executive member 1974/75.
• OWEN C Clarrie: Lyell-Owen Pty Ltd, Owen Printing Plates Pty Ltd, Vic. National Executive member 1950/51. Attended at least 13 Conventions from 1948 to 1972. A Life Member of the Victorian Association.
• PADMAN L T Les: A W Letts & Co Pty Ltd, NSW, Morris Productions Pty Ltd, NSW, Press Etchings Pty Ltd, Qld from 1960 approx. Was associated with Doug Cassingham at Morris Productions Pty Ltd, A W Letts & Co and Press Etchings Pty Ltd. National Executive member NSW 1966. Later was active as an Alderman on the Brisbane City Council.
• PARKER F G Fred: J Gibbney & Son Pty Ltd, WA. National Executive member 1951/58, National President 1956/58. Attended at least 13 Conventions from 1950 to 1971. Honorary Member. Was originally an apprentice at Bacon & Co in Sydney.
• PARKER J C Jim: J Gibbney & Son Pty Ltd, Gibbney Graphics Pty Ltd, WA. National Executive member 1962/64, 1970/74, 1977/86. National President 1973/75. Attended at least 25 Conventions from 1954 to 1988. Honorary Member.
• PATTERSON J W Jno: Patterson Shugg Pty Ltd, Vic. National Executive member and Vice President 1923/7. J W Patterson was a Life Member of the Victorian Association.
• PEAD A H Bill: McShane & Pead, Pead Engraving & Offset Pty Ltd, WA. National Executive member 1960/62 and 1973/77. Attended at least 11 Conventions from 1954 to 1976.
• PERRY G George: Star Engraving Pty Ltd, NSW. Attended at least 8 Conventions from 1958 to 1981. The company was a Foundation Member of the "new" Federation in 1938.
• PITTS G Graham: Wrap Around Pty Ltd, Vic. Attended at least 8 Conventions from 1970 to 1988.
• PORTER N: Porter & Barnett, SA. National Vice President 1927/29. The company was a Foundation Member of the "new" Federation in 1938.
• PORTER R H Reg: Porter & Barnett Pty Ltd, SA. National Executive member 1954/60, 1962/69, 1975/77. National President 1958/60. Attended at least 25 Conventions from 1951 to 1981.
• RANDLE F A Fred Snr: Randle Photo Engraving Co Pty Ltd, NSW. The first Federal President of the "first" Federation in 1923. Remained President until at least 1925. Attended at least 7 Conventions from 1923 to 1943. The company was a Foundation member of the "new" Federation in 1938.
• RANDLE F A Fred Jnr: Randle Photo Engraving Co Pty Ltd. National Executive member 1958/62, 1964/69. National President 1967/69. Attended at least 34 Conventions from 1941 to 1988. Honorary Member.
• RANDLE R W Bob: Randle Photo Engraving Co Pty Ltd. Second son of Fred Randle Snr. Attended at least 7 Conventions from 1958 to 1969.
• ROACHE T L Tom: Polygraph Pty Ltd, Vic. Attended at least 13 Conventions from 1968 to 1988. On retirement became Secretary of the Victorian Association from 1986.
• ROBEY R S Bob: R S Robey & Associates Pty Ltd from 1967 to 1992 and then Merging Images Pty Ltd. Was G A S Graphic Reproductions Pty Ltd, Vic, until 1967. National Executive member 1979/86, 1988/89. National President 1983/85, 1985/86. Attended at least 20 Conventions from 1970 to 1992. Honorary Member. A Life member of the Victorian Association. His father Richard Robey and a partner E M Price formed Price & Robey, which joined the NSW Association in 1934. Bob Robey moved to Melbourne in 1956 to work for Robinson Photo Engravers Royal Process Engravers. He formed G A S Graphics in 1961 and sold it in 1967 to set up R S Robey & Associates.
• RUSH C J John: Alfred Johns Pty Ltd, NSW. Represented Bacon & Co, NSW, until 1950 approx. Attended at least 20 Conventions from 1945 to 1969.
• RYAN W H Bill: Ben Jordan Pty Ltd, NSW, 1957; Capital City Engravers Pty Ltd, NSW, 1962/71; John Haigh Engravers Pty Ltd, Haighs Foto Art Pty Ltd, Qld. National Executive member 1967/79, 1980/86. National President 1971/73. Attended at least 24 Conventions from 1957 to 1989. Honorary Member.
• SARGANT G W Don: Art Photo Engravers Pty Ltd, WA. National Executive member 1956/8, 1964/70. Attended at least 13 Conventions from 1954 to 1971.
• SAUNDERS I W Ian: Secretary/Treasurer 1968/75.
• SCIPIONE F Frank: Art Colour Processes Pty Ltd, ACP Manufacturers Pty Ltd. A supply house delegate who attended at least 14 Conventions from 1958 to 1974.
• SCOTT E R Ernie: Ben Jordan Dolphin Pty Ltd, then Scott Graphic Arts Vic. National Executive member and Vice President 1943. Attended at least 6 Conventions from 1938 to 1952.
• SCOTT K L Ken: Middows Bros. A supply house delegate who attended at least 13 Conventions from 1958 to 1978.
• SHUGG C P Charles Ponsford: Patterson Shugg Pty Ltd, Vic. Regularly referred to as "Carl". National Honorary Secretary 1927/29. National President 1934/36. His father, Charles Buckland Shugg, came from the USA in 1892 and set up the first photo engraving half-tone plant in Australia. It was within a newspaper office. He, also, was very active in Association affairs and chaired the 1923 Federal Conference, which established the Federation. C B Shugg was a Life member of the Victorian Association. C P Shugg had a brother, E I Shugg, who attended some Association meetings. In early "group" photographs the latter is sometimes incorrectly referred to as C B Shugg. Chas Ivor Shugg is a son of C P, a nephew of E I and grandson of C B Shugg.
• SINCLAIR R W Ric: Secretary of the Victorian Association during the 1960's as an employee of PATEFAVic. Became Secretary of the Regional Dailies Association of Australia.
• SMITH A W Andrew: Smith & Miles Ltd, NSW. National Executive member 1977/83. National President 1979/81. Attended at least 13 Conventions from 1968 to 1984.
• SMOLLEN P Peter: Haighs Foto Art Pty Ltd, Qld. National Executive member 1990/92.
• SURMAN B Brian: Litho Platemakers Pty Ltd, SA. National Executive member 1971/78. National President 1975/77. Attended at least 16 Conventions from 1964 to 1981. Honorary Member.
• SYMONS R A Allen: Porter & Barnett Pty Ltd, SA. National Executive member 1978/80. Attended at least 11 Conventions from 1964 to 1979.
• THEAKER C P Charles: Orginally listed as representing Publicity Engraving Pty Ltd but is primarily associated with S A Best Pty Ltd in Queensland of which he was Foreman, Manager and eventually proprietor. Became the owner of Murray Fraser & Co. M Fraser was President from 1929 to 1936. C Theaker was Vice President 1938/41, 1945/61. National President 1945/48. Attended at least 18 Conventions from 1938 to 1961. S A Best Pty Ltd and Publicity Engraving Pty were Foundation members of the "new" Federation in 1938. A member of the Committee, which drafted the 1938 Constitution. Sons Doug and C W Wal were both involved in the industry activities.
• THEAKER D Doug: S A Best Pty Ltd, Qld. National Executive member 1961/66. National President 1964/66. Attended at least 9 Conventions from 1961 to 1974.
• TOMLIN D David: Leader Engraving Pty Ltd, Vic. Attended at least 18 Conventions from 1964 to 1988. A Life Member of the Victorian Association.
• WAILES F Fred: N M Dickson Pty Ltd, NSW. Attended at least 10 Conventions from 1958 to 1969.
• WALLBRIDGE C C Carl: Smith & Miles Ltd, Litho Colour Centre, The Image Centre, NSW. Attended at least 11 Conventions from 1972 to 1989.
• WARD R Ron: Alfred Johns Pty Ltd. A part owner 1972/73. Attended at least 9 Conventions from 1968 to 1987.
• WARD W H Bill: A.A Lawson Pty Ltd, NSW. Attended at least 16 Conventions from 1950 to 1972. The company was a Foundation Member of the "new" Federation in 1938. W Ward sold his interest in the company to C Colin Gee Gee Graphics.
• WATKINS F Fred: Radnor Studios Pty Ltd, Vic. National Executive member 1948/56. Attended at least 8 Conventions from 1943 to 1970. A Life Member of the Victorian Association. Was the first apprentice indentured by the Sydney company, Randle Engraving.
• WHITE A E Allan: White & Gillespie Melbourne Pty Ltd, Vic. Attended at least 13 Conventions from 1972 to 1992.
• WHITE G Geoff: White & Gillespie Pty Ltd, Vic. Son of A E White. National Executive member 1989/9.
• WOODHEAD R Roy: Jones & Bowen, SA. Attended at least 21 Conventions from 1952 to 1978.
• WRIGHT E S Ernie: Freshwater Pty Ltd, CGI Photo Engraving Pty Ltd, NSW. Attended at least 16 Conventions from 1941 to 1962.
• YOUNG R Ron: Copy-Ads Pty Ltd, WA. National Executive member 1959/60.

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• G Browne, "Register of the Victorian Parliament 1900-1984", Victorian Printing Office, 1985.
• B Nairn & G Serle, "Australian Dictionary of Biography Vol 10 1891-1939", Melbourne University Press.
• J Hagan, "Printers and Politics", Australian National University Press, 1966.
• H Hunt, "The Master Printers of Sydney 1887-1971", P.A.T.E.A of NSW, 1976.
• Fred C Humphreys, "From a Rush Hut", Printing & Allied Trades Employers Federation of Australia, South Australian Region, 1985.
• R T Fitzgerald, "The Printers of Melbourne - the History of a Union", Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, 1967.
• Minutes of meetings of the NSW Photo Engravers Association 1908-1992
• Minutes of meetings of the Victorian Photo Engravers Association 1925-51
• Minutes of meetings of the Master Photo Engravers Federation GASAA 1938-1992
• Minutes of meetings of the Joint Industrial Council (NSW 1949-1959)