Series 144: Graded journalists by the Sydney Morning Herald and Sydney Mail, 1917-1987

MLMSS 9894/Box 200
MLMSS 9894/Box 2104X
MLMSS 9894/Box 2001X

series

1917-1987

9593627

0.05 metres of textual material (3 volumes)

Grading journalists was a system of ranking the journalists and later creative artists (cartoonists), press artists and press photographers according to their experience, skill or duties.
The system of grading was in place by 1917. It is likely that the system commenced after 11 May 1917 when the Australian Journalists' Association won an industrial award for its members. Initially the classifications were Seniors, generals, juniors and casuals. Cadets, country correspondents and sub editors were added soon after and district correspondents by 1921, press artists and press in 1925.
In 1928 a new system of grading journalists from "A" to "D" was introduced. The classifications District Correspondents, Cadets, Casuals, Press Artists and press photographers remained. Commencing in 1937 a small number of journalists were listed as 'Excluded from grading by Tribunal Decision' and another group excluded from grading by reason of non-membership AJA. The classification 'creative artist' was added in 1945 and in 1946 there was an internal grading of press photographers (I - III) . In 1955 creative artists and press artists were likewise graded into three sections was introduced.
By the 1940's (but possibly from the beginning of the system) upgradings occurred on the recommendation of the Editor. Often the journalists applied to the editor for regrading on the grounds of the assignments they were given or positive reader response.
The volumes consist of lists of graded journalists as follows - Each list is headed by the name of the newspaper - followed by subheadings for each grade with the names of the journalists written below. Against some names are apparently weekly salaries handwritten. Until 1937 at the bottom of each page is written 'Copy supplied to the A.J.A.' with the date. After this date the lists are initialled. The lists were prepared irregularly presumably each time journalists were regraded, added or subtracted from the lists. The series was handwritten until 1937 after which the lists were typed and inserted into the volume. Most of the typescript lists are duplicates. Whether the originals were sent to the Australian Journalists' Association or retained elsewhere is unknown.
The newspapers covered by the series are The Sydney Morning Herald and the Sydney Mail (in a combined list) until October 1938. The Sydney Morning Herald from January 1939 until September 1959. John Fairfax and Sons (SMH, Sun, Sun-Herald and The Australian Financial Review) in a combined list from December 1959, but there are also separate lists for Sungravure from 1959 - 1970 and The Sun from 1957 -1959.
There is a duplicate volume covering the period 23 December 1942 - 31 May 1957. It is unclear why this was maintained. This volume is labelled on the blank page after the end papers 'Record of Literary Staff and Casual reporters'.
The volumes are not indexed according to journalists and it is therefore necessary to scan the lists to follow a journalist or other employee's career.
There are working papers and lists of journalists inside the various volumes of this series. Inside the first volume there is a list of total staff employed under the Metropolitan award with a break-down on the numbers in each grade A - D from 1 June 1929 - 31 May 1934.

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Original Fairfax Series Number 185