General News
26 August, 2025
A WONDERFUL IMPRESSION — Unfettered community service with Brian Lennen
Maryborough local Brian Lennen highlights the contributions of Jim Hedges.
Jim Hedges is a wonderful example of a local character who contributed to the Maryborough community in a multitude of ways.
Educated at Maryborough East Primary School and the Technical College (where he was dux in 1924), he displayed talents in many fields.
James Henry Hedges was born in 1910, the first child of William and Fanny Hedges.
His father owned a grocery shop in High Street and Fanny was a florist.
Jim gave a lifetime of service to the Methodist Church where he was organist and choirmaster for over 40 years. He was also a member of the Ballarat Symphony Orchestra playing the bassoon.
Initially Jim worked at the grocers where he developed skills in labelling and product marketing.
A meeting with Gordon Bell in 1946 led to the establishment of the printing business we knew as Hedges & Bell.
They were to acquire the local newspaper, The Advertiser in 1954.
In 1933 Jim married Isabel James.
They met through their shared interests in music and tennis.
As well as both being dedicated to community service, they raised six children — Ruth, Margaret, Max, Dorothy, John and Judith.
All the children worked at Hedges & Bell at various times.
Isabel was a remarkable woman. She was a pillar of strength during Jim’s four terms as mayor.
She was involved in many organisations of her own including the Technical College Mother’s Club where she held every office; also for the ladies’ auxiliary of Rotary.
With May Lovett, Isabel began the local “Meals on Wheels” program. They prepared all the food in their own homes and delivered it to the recipients.
Jim’s service to council spanned from 1950 to 1971. Tragically he passed away while serving as mayor in October of 1971 at the age of 61.
Isabel displayed her strength of character by carrying on her service to the community.
One of those ways was by playing the organ at the Argyle Road church for 72 years, rarely missing a service.
Everyone was welcome to her Park Road home where she delighted in her extended family. She had 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Her skills in crochet and knitting provided many family items.
Teddy bears, soft toys and jumpers were also much appreciated by the needy.
Also a prolific baker, Isabel provided delicacies for street stalls and afternoon teas.
As well as her baking skills she was an energetic letter writer.
Sadly I was ignorant of her contributions to the community.
Isabel lived to the big age of 102, passing away peacefully in 2012 at Havilah Hostel where she was much loved by the devoted staff.
After retiring from Hedges & Bell in the 1960s, Jim started Midland Typesetters which is still going strong.
During this time he had served as president of the National Press Association.
Max Hedges and his wife Olwyn, Dorothy (Wyllie) and Judith (Barnard), and Max’s daughter Jenny, worked for decades at Midlands.
Dorothy’s daughter Michelle has been working at The Advertiser in the Production department for 36 years, and son Mark, an outstanding golfer, completed a printing apprenticeship, and is now a train driver with Pacific National.
The Hedges’ family home in Park Road was Hadenham – now the O’Halloran family residence — and is in my opinion the finest house in the district.
Jim’s service to the community covered a wide range of organisations.
The J. H. Hedges Memorial Park, and Hedges Oval are named in his honour.
McPherson’s and The Book Printer (modern incarnations of Hedges & Bell) became one of Australia’s leading book printers providing employment for a multitude.
We will forever be grateful to the Hedges family.
I am in awe of the contributions the Hedges family has, and is making, to the community.
The citizens of the city should always be grateful.