Bill Tipping, also known as “Mr Melbourne” was one of our most famous journalists.
Early years
Tipping was born in Moonee Ponds on 27 August 1915. His father, James Gregory Tipping, was a schoolteacher. He went to school at St Kevin’s and studied law at the University of Melbourne.
Career
After working as editor on the student newspaper Farrago, Tipping got a role at The Herald. He had a clear and characteristic way of writing and used small details to lift his prose.
He later honed his writing skills during service in the Second World War. When he returned from New Guinea with suspected tuberculosis he joined the Air Force as a Public Relations officer. He then covered war events for their magazine Wings.
After the war he re-joined The Herald and became interested in the American way of reporting. He studied at Harvard and wrote for American newspapers until he The Herald called him back in 1952.
He began a new column, “In Black and White” and used it to advocate for those with mental illness and disabilities. His writing spoke to the man in the street and wasn't afraid to tackle tough subjects.
Personal life
Tipping had a strong social conscience that informed his reporting and personal life.
One of his three sons, Peter, was born with a disability and lived at the old Kew Cottages for a while. Tipping supported the Cottages, but used his writings to advocate for better conditions.
Recognition
Tipping won a Walkley Award for his coverage of the Sharpeville Massacres in South Africa in 1960. He also covered the first moon landing and the Olympic Games in Melbourne and Rome.
Death
A heavy smoker, his busy lifestyle writing, lecturing and broadcasting took its toll. He moved back to America to work in a different environment. When he became ill in 1969 he came back to Melbourne and died of cancer on 29 April 1970.
His friends created the E.W. Tipping Foundation in his memory. The organisation continues to assist children with disabilities to this day (under the new name, Aruma).
Bibliography
Adapted from material supplied by historian Dr Jan Penney, GMCT Trust member 2010-2020.
Davison G (2002) Tipping, Edmond William (Bill) (1915-1970), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University [website]
Manning C (2008) Bye-Bye Charlie: Stories from the Vanishing World of Kew Cottages, University of New South Wales Press
Tipping J (1991) Bush teachers of Victoria: the story of the Tipping family
Trove (n.d.) Listing of “in Black and White” column in Australian newspapers [website]
