The Australian Women's Register

Summary

Olive Ketels learned many aspects of running a country newspaper from her stepfather, George Hopkins, a newspaperman who started many newspapers in the 1920s and 30s in regional Victoria. She was the sole female linotype operator in Victoria, as well as a journalist, subeditor, layout artist and composing room stonehand at the family paper, the Leongatha Echo, which she kept going during the war, when her older brother was away in New Guinea. As a widow with a small child, she later went on to run a very successful business in Warrnambool (a corsetry & lingerie salon!) & was involved in many other aspects of the life of that town.

Events

• 1940 - 1960