Olive Constable

Olive Constable (1876 – 1939) defied the norms of her era to become a successful journalist, editor and businesswoman. Her reportage leaves an enduring legacy.

Olive served as editor of the 'Moruya Examiner' for over a quarter of a century, from 1913 until her death in 1939. Like many women of her time, we don't know much about Olive or what motivated her. However, she undoubtedly required exceptional determination to thrive during an era when women were anticipated to assume subordinate positions.

Olive assumed the mantle of editorship at the age of 37, just a year after her marriage to Arthur Constable. It was a role she inherited from her father, Robert Henry Harvison, who had acquired the paper in 1877.

Country newspapers were family businesses and it was not unusual for women to be involved to some degree, though rarely as editors and managers. Olive had two sisters and a brother; perhaps she was the only one with an interest in this family newspaper business.

Harvison was known for airing his strong opinions in the paper, at one point being sued for defamation. Under Olive the paper moved to factual reporting and generally a more sympathetic style. This doubtless reflected her character, but perhaps it was also what the times - and the community - demanded.

Her tenure as editor coincided with tumultuous times - the upheaval of World War I, the devastating Great Influenza pandemic, the roaring twenties and burgeoning tourism industry, the economic turmoil of the Great Depression, and the ominous shadows cast by the looming Second World War.

In the midst of these historic events, the 'Moruya Examiner' emerged as a faithful chronicler of community life, documenting everything from dances and euchre drives, local politics and international events, details of cattle sales and sailing times, and news of fire and flood. It remains as an outstanding historical record of how lives were lived during a fascinating era of Moruya's development.

Olive lived with her husband, Arthur, at 56 Campbell St, right next door to the newspaper office. Perhaps it is no accident that Harvison commissioned the editor's house and newspaper printing office in 1913, the year Olive assumed editorial control. These heritage-listed buildings are of unusual granite construction.

Arthur Constable had worked for Harvison in the printing room, and also handled advertising for the paper. But ultimately it appears he spent most of his time caring for Harvison’s race-horses. We can assume he had little interest in editorial matters as he sold the paper shortly after Olive's death.

Olive's death just a few days after her 63rd birthday was unexpected:

'Seldom have the people of this district received such a shock as when on Tuesday last Mrs Constable, Editoress and Proprietor of this paper, passed away. On Friday last week Mrs Constable completed the issue of the 'Examiner' in apparent good health and spirits, except perhaps for a little tiredness, inseparable from the closing day of the usual strenuous week. She was persuaded to rest. The ensuing two days saw her condition worsen and on Monday morning Mrs Constable was taken to the hospital, her case being diagnosed as pneumonia. The trouble developed alarmingly and on Tuesday afternoon, she passed peacefully away. Mrs Constable's activities in the community, apart from her editorial duties, themselves exacting and continuous and arduous, were widespread. Hospital Auxiliary, Hospital Board, Red Cross, CWA, Surf Club, all had her active support. Church life and efforts in aid of charity also had in her a faithful and willing worker. Her death leaves a gap in the life of the community which indeed it will be hard to fill…The attendance at the funeral was large and impressive and evidence of the widespread respect in which deceased was held in the community.' - 'Moruya Examiner', 28 January 1939.

Official records list Olive's occupation as ‘home duties’ - small recognition for over 25 years of professional journalism! But her peers knew better:

'The removal of Mrs Constable will mean a distinct loss to country journalism and her passing is keenly felt by the newspaper fraternity. As Editoress of the ‘Examiner’ she set a high standard in her publications, displaying at all times a kindly feeling towards her fellow creatures. She was a most lovable woman and her home was hospitality itself to her many friends…Apart from her editorial duties, deceased always kept her business books up to date and had a thorough grasp of modern business methods.' – Obituary in the 'Cobargo Chronicle'.