General News
22 October, 2024
The Ritchies: Indefatigable and indelible — By Brian Lennen
Bill Ritchie’s father, John and mother, Jessie met while they were working in a pharmacy in Edinburgh, Scotland.
John had a chemist shop in nearby Stromness. They had three boys — Jim, born in 1914, Bill in 1916 and John in 1919.
Ruby (Bill’s wife) was born at the Broadmeadows station where her father was the station master.
In 1922 the Ritchies emigrated to Australia.
After a short stay in Hamilton, John bought a pharmacy in Colac where they lived for six years.
John’s asthma was a constant problem so they made a move to the drier climate of Maryborough where John worked as a locum for A. T. Richards Pharmacy.
Around 1929 John, who had retired, bought Frank Ogle’s Pharmacy and Bill worked in the pharmacy.
This was the time when the chemist had to make the medication from the prescription, unlike today where almost all the medications are simply taken from the shelf and are manufactured by multinational companies.
The Ritchie boys were active in local sport with Bill showing a particular talent for football.
He stood out of football for a season so that he could play for Royal Park.
Once again people’s lives were interrupted by war.
Bill enlisted and was a member of the 2/9th Field Ambulance.
In January 1941 his marriage proposal was accepted by his sweetheart Ruby (now the daughter of the Maryborough station master).
Unfortunately they wouldn’t see each other for the best part of four years (not seeing each other until October 1945).
Ironically on enlisting, Ruby moved rapidly through the ranks and as a Lieutenant outranked Bill who was a humble Lance Corporal. This meant that on meeting, Bill had to salute Ruby.
Bill was based on the west coast of Malaya. He worked in a casualty clearing station and dressing station.
The advancing Japanese forced an abandonment of Singapore and Bill and his comrades were “prisoners of war”.
They were reluctantly forced to transport all their equipment to Changi.
All along the way you could see the Japanese barbarity.
Bill caught malaria several times and was saved from the horrors of the Burma Railway by an outbreak of tinea.
Those who returned were emaciated and mentally fractured.
This episode didn’t deter Bill who wasn’t afraid to tell the stories of his experiences.
During this time he met many remarkable men such as Dr John Cade who established treatment for bipolar disorders.
Dr Glyn White, a long time paediatric physician and Alick Downer who became High Commissioner to London.
After the war, Dr “Uncle Glyn” White kept in close contact with the soldiers and their children. At his funeral Bill caught up with renowned Australian surgeon Sir Ernest “Weary” Dunlop.
After the war Bill caught the train to Melbourne where Ruby was waiting. At first they failed to recognise each other. Four and a half years had brought many changes.
On October 24, 1945 they were married at Coburg Presbyterian Church.
Bill and Ruby made constant applications for a newsagency. Each time they faced the circulation managers of The Age, The Sun and The Herald with no success.
In 1951 they were lucky enough to purchase Harsteadts Newsagency at 130 High Street, Maryborough.
The shop, owned by the Commonwealth Bank, was primitive with paper walls and hessian ceilings.
When I boarded at Mrs Harling’s (next to the Mill), a tenant worse for drink rolled over and went through the lacquered paper wall and got stuck. He simply closed his eyes and went back to sleep.
In the morning his pleas were answered by his bemused fellow tenants. In the early days the hessian often collapsed.
Early one morning Bill, on opening up, had an encounter (in the dark) with a giant dark figure.
This was to be Bill’s first paperboy, it was local identity Roy (Bluey) Marshall.
In 1958 the bank decided to demolish the building and Marshall’s next door. Posthaste they bought Meakins Cafe at 148 High Street.
After a clearing sale and with the help of their staff over one weekend they relocated.
Keith Wagstaff built and installed all the fittings and Wal Richards was a blessing because his height made a ladder unnecessary.
At the back they fitted out the old shed as a storeroom which survived until 1982.
In 1982 they bought out Donnelly’s Newsagency at 156 High Street and modernised it all the time continuing to operate.
There are innumerable stories to tell of the 50 years in the paper shop. Some of you will have been paperboys who congregated on “Frank Moore’s” corner competing for the few customers available.
This was the world before the electronic media and mobile phones.
The daily newspapers were essential and were the dominant media.
The paperboys relied heavily on tips and so the drinkers at the local pubs were in demand.
A lack of a tip (ie correct change) would bring a frown of disgust. Of course some of the paperboys used “bully tactics” — there was an unwritten hierarchy.
During their 50 years in the business the Ritchies saw huge changes.
Although they had the fourth largest circulation of country agencies, you couldn’t survive without having a wide variety of stationery, books, magazines, etc.
Newsagents no longer have the “sole rights” to sales as service stations and supermarkets have encroached.
For some Tattslotto has been the saviour.
On Saturday nights large crowds would gather at about 7 pm waiting for the delivery of The Herald & Sporting.
Often the gathering would offer more news than the papers themselves.
The original vehicle delivering the papers was run by Reg Ansett — founder of now defunct Ansett Airways.
The Ritchies were well served by long-time employees such as Joyce Yates, Mary and Bert Whitnish and Marg Stonehouse.
Bill and Ruby’s son Michael, and wife Helen, have carried the family name with distinction through their service to the community.
Helen has made a significant contribution to special education at Wattle House and MEC. She is a long-term worker for the swimming club, hockey association and Red Cross and has spent 17 years involved in Riding for the Disabled.
Michael has served on the board of Asteria for 20 years, with three years as chairman. In memory of his dad, he is active with Legacy.
Bill and Ruby’s grandchildren all reside in Ballarat.
Edward is head of general medicine at Ballarat Base; Anna is a scientist at Murdoch Institute (note the Murdoch connection), and Stewart works for the Child & Family Service.