Printing Museum

Lachlan Shire Councillor Max Frankel and wife Betty
with General Manager of The Lachlander Graham
Scott and member for Lachlan Ian Armstrong.

The legacy of Doretta Ryder-Wood lives on with the opening of The Lachlander Newspaper and Printing Museum in June 2004.

The Lachlander newspaper at Condobolin was one of the last newspapers in Australia to change from 'hot metal' printing to computerisation, only making the change on a permanent basis in January 2004.

All the equipment, which was previously used, has been kept complete and is available for inspection at the museum section of our building at 46 Bathurst Street, Condobolin.

It contains all the equipment and machinery, in working order, used in the old 'hot metal' method in compiling and printing a newspaper or other job printing. The machinery includes three presses and two intertype machines.

One intertype machine was manufactured in England and the other in America. The Intertype machine incorporates a keyboard, a magazine that contains continuously reused type matrices, a casting mechanism, and a distribution system for returning used matrices to the magazine.

There has been a steady stream of visitors calling in to have a look, according to editor Graham Scott.

Intertype machines are part of the machinery on display

"We have had many bus tours who have booked in over the last 12 months. Most of these have been from surrounding towns like West Wyalong and Parkes. Many visitors are just passing through and call in for a look.

"It is amazing how many people had an association with the old style of printing. Many video or photograph the old machinery and tell you they wish their town had not thrown it all on the scrap heap. Some additions to the museum are still coming in.

"My thanks to Lorrie Brady for bringing in a collection of Lachlander's dating back to 1899 and to Betty Bibb for the Oxford dictionary used by her father, Mr Condon, in 1911," Mr Scott said.

Tours of the museum are available any day of the week, but as part of the premises is still used as a present day worksite, it is essential that you contact The Lachlander for an appointment.