George Fenwick (editor) facts for kids

Fenwick in 1924

Sir George Fenwick (born February 2, 1847 – died September 23, 1929) was a very important newspaper owner and editor in New Zealand. He is most famous for leading the Otago Daily Times newspaper. During his time there, he strongly supported a campaign to stop unfair working conditions, known as sweatshops.

Early Life and Moving to New Zealand

George Fenwick was born in England in 1847. When he was six, his family moved to Australia because gold had been discovered there. They arrived on New Year's Day in 1853.

Later, his family heard good things about Otago in New Zealand. So, in 1856, they moved again, arriving in Dunedin. George went to school there, first at a government school and then a private one.

Starting in Newspapers

In 1858, when George was about 11, his father found him an apprenticeship at the Otago Witness newspaper. An apprenticeship is like learning a job by working alongside experienced people. George was so young and short that he had to stand on a box to reach the printing equipment!

When gold was found in Gabriel's Gully in 1861, many adults left their jobs to search for gold. This made George's work even more important. Because of this, he was moved to the new daily newspaper, the Otago Daily Times, which was started by the same owners.

Learning More in Australia

After finishing his training, George worked at the newspaper for a while. In 1868, he decided to travel to Australia to learn more about newspapers and printing. He worked in a place called Townsville in Queensland. But he didn't like the hot weather or the wildlife there. After his mother passed away, he decided to return to Dunedin. He easily got his old job back at the Otago Daily Times.

Early Newspaper Ventures

George wasn't satisfied with his future at the Otago Daily Times just yet. So, he joined a friend, James Matthews, to start a newspaper called the Tuapeka Press and Goldfields Advocate in a town called Lawrence. George even got a job for his younger brother, William.

However, Lawrence was too small for two newspapers. After about 18 months, they decided to close their paper and sold it to their rival. George learned an important lesson: it's hard to have two newspapers in a small town that only needs one.

Starting The Cromwell Argus

While selling their first paper, George and James looked for new opportunities. They found that the growing gold-mining town of Cromwell didn't have a newspaper. They decided to start one there.

George went to Cromwell and rented land for a newspaper office. But then, another person decided to start a newspaper there too! George and James were already committed. So, they printed the first issue of their new paper, The Cromwell Argus and Northern Gold-fields Gazette, in Lawrence. Then, George rode over 80 miles (130 km) on horseback to deliver the freshly printed newspapers to Cromwell. He arrived late at night and delivered copies to the mayor and other important people. The next morning, he delivered papers to every house in town. Soon after, their rival newspaper started, but it closed down after only six months.

Taking Over the Otago Daily Times

George found that life in Cromwell was too quiet for him. In 1871, he sold his share of the newspaper to his brother William and moved back to Dunedin. He eventually became a partner in a printing business.

In 1875, he became the manager of the Otago Guardian newspaper, which was not doing well. George realized the paper was losing too much money. He advised the owners to sell it, which they did.

Later, George had a big idea. He suggested that he and his partner should try to buy the company that owned the much bigger and more successful Otago Daily Times and Otago Witness. This was a very bold plan! After a lot of work and a large offer of money, they managed to gain control. As soon as they took over, the Otago Guardian and its sister paper stopped publishing.

A year later, the business became a public company, and George Fenwick became its managing director. This was a huge achievement for him.

Fighting for Fair Work: The Anti-Sweatshop Campaign

One of George Fenwick's most important actions was his campaign against sweatshops. In 1888, a local minister spoke out against unfair working conditions in clothing factories, where people worked long hours for very little pay in bad environments.

George Fenwick took up this cause in the Otago Daily Times. His newspaper published many articles written by his chief reporter, Silas Spragg, who was married to George's sister. This campaign made a big difference. In 1890, a special group was set up to investigate sweatshops. Their findings helped create many new laws in New Zealand to improve working conditions and protect workers.

George also used his newspaper to support other good causes, like funding for the University of Otago, a women's hospital ward, and the Hocken Library.

Leading the Press Association

In 1878, George helped start the New Zealand Press Association. This group helped newspapers share news and information across the country. After it merged with another group, George became an important member of its committee.

In 1890, George also became the editor of the Otago Daily Times. As editor, he continued to fight for important issues. For example, in 1894, he wrote about the poor conditions in Dunedin's slaughterhouses. This led to a public vote in 1895 that approved building better, public slaughterhouses.

George handed over the editorship in 1909 but remained the managing director of the Otago Daily Times until he passed away.

Other Important Activities

George Fenwick was involved in many other important groups and activities. He was the first president of the Newspaper Proprietors' Association, which represents newspaper owners. He also led the New Zealand branch of the Empire Press Union.

He helped many welfare and cultural organizations, like St Mary's Orphanage, the YMCA, and the Dunedin Public Art Gallery. In 1882, he helped start the Otago branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to stop cruelty to horses. He was also a founder of the Dunedin Rotary Club.

George was a director on the boards of many companies. He also served as president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce. He led New Zealand delegations to important press conferences in England and France. Even though he was asked many times, George never wanted to go into politics.

He loved tramping (hiking) and explored many remote parts of Otago. He even wrote books about his adventures and his love for nature.

Death and Legacy

Sir George Fenwick passed away at his home in Dunedin on September 23, 1929, after a short illness. He was survived by his wife, Lady Jane Fenwick, and six of their children. He was buried in the Southern Cemetery in Dunedin.

Honours

In 1919, George Fenwick was made a Knight Bachelor by the King for his public service. This means he was given the title "Sir." The Prince of Wales officially gave him this honour in 1920 during a visit to Dunedin.

In 2008, George Fenwick was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame, recognizing his great contributions to business in New Zealand.

Personal Life

George Fenwick married Jane Atlantic Proudfoot in Dunedin in 1874. Jane had been born on a ship on its way to Australia. She later moved to Dunedin with her mother. Jane passed away in 1938, nine years after George.

George and Jane had eight children. One of their sons, David Eardley Fenwick, was a Lieutenant-Colonel in World War I and worked in medicine.

A famous New Zealand businessman and environmentalist, Rob Fenwick, was George Fenwick's great-grandson.