Editorial prompted new

CARDINIA mayor Bill Ronald told guests at the inaugural Berwick Pakenham Historical Society Florrie Thomas Memorial Dinner that the society was formed after the idea was mooted in a Pakenham Gazette editorial.
He said former Gazette proprietor and editor Herb Thomas wrote the editorial saying there was a need for the society.
“Mr Thomas said such an organisation would be well supported,” Cr Ronald said.
He said Herb’s wife Florrie had worked alongside her husband at the Gazette for 60 years and was a devoted supporter of the society.
“She retired at age 91 and was affectionately known as the ‘proof reader’.”
Cr Ronald said the Thomas family could take a lot of credit for much that was good in the community and that the Gazette was now part of a much bigger organisation.
Ian Thomas, Star News Group coowner with Dorothy Thomas and a guest speaker at the dinner, spoke of his family’s role in the growth of a newspaper that became one of Australia’s emerging media icons.
Reporter Jim Mynard attended the event and the Gazette presents, in part, this role in history and excerpts from Mr Thomas’ address.