The Area News decided to share the story of its founder, PJ Slattery, in the lead up to the city’s centenary celebrations.
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PATRICK John Slattery was born at Lancefield, Victoria on April 3, 1893.
He was the second eldest son of Donald Richard (Dan) and Agnes (nee Lovenfosse) Slattery.
Jack, as he was known, began his working life in Lancefield on the local newspaper – Lancefield Mercury – working there for nearly seven years. He appears to have commenced working this paper at the young age of 13 in 1906.
Records show that Jack Slattery became manager of The Rock Mercury on January 10, 1913 when he would have been 19. The Rock was quite a thriving little township in those days and Jack became involved in the sport of the town, being manager of the 1913 The Rock Aussie Rules football team. In about 1916, Patrick John (Jack) Slattery joined the staff of the Murrumbidgee Irrigator which was then only about a year old and it was under the proprietorship of Mr Wrightson. Jack Slattery boarded at the “Tarryukan” Guest House, in Pine Avenue, Leeton, conducted by Madame Julie Morel, a French-Swiss lady from Peseuz, Neuchatel, Switzerland. Madame Morel was assisted by her children Henri, Renee and Nathalie.
It was love at first sight as far as Jack Slattery and Renee Julie Morel were concerned and they were married early in 1917 at Lancefield, Victoria, the home of Jack’s parents, Dan and Agnes Slattery.
Their son Ronald Henri was born at Leeton on Decemberr 23, 1917.
Jack continued working at the Murrumbidgee Irrigator until about 1919, when because of the newly emerging village of Griffith, Mr Wrightson, using Jack as editor and manager, decided to introduce the Mirrool Irrigator, which was printed at Leeton and published at Griffith.
A small office was established in Banna Avenue, Griffith, next to the Hotel Victoria. During the week, Jack would endeavour to collect local news as well as advertisements for the newspaper. As there was no rail link between Leeton and Griffith at that time, it was necessary for each week’s supplies of the paper to be put on the Hay train at Yanco and for Jack to collect them at Willbriggie Siding.
On Monday, March 26, 1923, the first issue of The Area News appeared from a printing office. It had a statement from PJ Slattery.
“We take this opportunity of addressing you for and on behalf of The Area News which the Murrumbidgee Area gives birth to this morning. Our object is to give circulation which will bring wisdom, knowledge and happiness.”
For information about the city’s centenary celebrations visit www.griffith2016.com.au