Celebration of 150 years of publication

[Jeff Zilles [jeffo]]

A bit late I'm afraid but still just ahead of deadline.

On the 22nd June, 2008 the Malden Machinery Museum - that's Malden, Victoria, Australia - celebrates the 150th anniversary of the first publication of 'The Tarrangower Times',  the township's still existing newspaper.

Back in the later days of the most recent century the then proprieter went seriously benchtop, which sensibly and economically it still is, and started to scrap the letterpress plant. 

Circumstances and good fortune ordained that he didn't get too far with the dismemberment program which has enabled a small group of intrepid preservationists to piece together and get back to working order the essential tools of any small-town letterpress weekly, a Linotype - in this case a Model 78, probably a later addition, and a cylinder press - Malden has a Payne and Sons Warfedale, most likely quad crown, which research indicates dates from about three quarters the way thru the 19th century.

The corner of the Malden Machinery Museum devoted to the letterpress plant of The Tarrangower Times

Local businessman Peter Thompson has gathered a band of willing types to achieve the necessary repairs so that both machines are in good enough order to demonstrate their respective functions on the day. 

Alphabetically the principals are Ron Adams, a former proprietor of The Times;  Denis Cox who served his time on the paper as stoneman and printer;  Laurie Shanks, a retired metropolitean daily Lino Mechanic and much enthusiastic and essential support form the Museum Committee.