E W (Bill) Tipping
Encyclopedia
Edmond William Tipping (1915–1970) was an Australian journalist, social commentator and activist.
(where he was an editor of the student newspaper Farrago
) before being offered a position at the Melbourne Herald by Sir Keith Murdoch in 1939. He married Marjorie McCredie
in 1942, with whom he had three sons. Tipping's third son, Peter, had intellectual and physical disabilities and died at the age of 14.
in journalism at Harvard University, setting the scene for him to be an Australian correspondent for Time Magazine and the New York Times upon his return to Australia in 1952.
Tipping's Herald column, 'In Black and White', was high-profile, and garnered him the nickname "Mr Melbourne". He was a friend and confidant of many well-known Victorians, including Zelman Cowen
(later Governor General Sir Zelman), architect Robin Boyd
, television producer Hector Crawford
and psychiatrist Dr Eric Cunningham Dax
.
As a journalist, Tipping covered several world events, including the 1956 Melbourne and 1960 Rome Olympics, the South African Sharpeville massacre of 1960 (for which he received a Walkley Award
), the Chicago Riots of 1968, and the Apollo 11 moon mission.
With support from the Herald and Dr Cunningham Dax, then chairman of Victoria's Mental Hygiene Authority, Tipping became a vigorous campaigner for disability rights. He particularly highlighted the poor conditions at Kew Cottages, and through the Herald he helped raise substantial sums for their refurbishment and development. He also helped raise awareness of the disadvantages of large institutions and the potential value of residential disability services in a community setting.
to support people with a disability.
Early life and family
"Bill" Tipping was born in Moonee Ponds, and attended St Kevin's College, Melbourne where he was school captain in 1933. He studied law at the University of MelbourneUniversity of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
(where he was an editor of the student newspaper Farrago
Farrago
First published on 3 April 1925, Farrago is Australia's oldest student newspaper. Farrago is published by the Melbourne University Student Union.- Name :...
) before being offered a position at the Melbourne Herald by Sir Keith Murdoch in 1939. He married Marjorie McCredie
Marjorie Tipping
Marjorie Tipping MBE was an Australian historian and patron of community services.Tipping's works focus on the history of art and colonial Australia, and include Eugene von Guerard's Australian Landscapes Ludwig Becker: Artist & Naturalist with the Burke & Wills Expedition , Melbourne on the...
in 1942, with whom he had three sons. Tipping's third son, Peter, had intellectual and physical disabilities and died at the age of 14.
Military service
Tipping served in the Pacific Theatre with the AIF and the RAAF 1942-1945, including as a journalist for the service magazine Wings.Journalism
Tipping returned from military service to the Herald in 1945, becoming chief of staff in 1950. He was awarded a Nieman FellowshipNieman Fellowship
The Nieman Fellowship is an award given to mid-career journalists by The Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University. This award allows winners time to reflect on their careers and focus on honing their skills....
in journalism at Harvard University, setting the scene for him to be an Australian correspondent for Time Magazine and the New York Times upon his return to Australia in 1952.
Tipping's Herald column, 'In Black and White', was high-profile, and garnered him the nickname "Mr Melbourne". He was a friend and confidant of many well-known Victorians, including Zelman Cowen
Zelman Cowen
Sir Zelman Cowen, was the 19th Governor-General of Australia. He is currently the oldest living former Governor-General of Australia.-Early life:...
(later Governor General Sir Zelman), architect Robin Boyd
Robin Boyd
Robin Gerard Penleigh Boyd CBE was an influential Australian architect, writer, teacher and social commentator...
, television producer Hector Crawford
Crawford Productions
Crawford Productions is an Australian television production company founded by Hector Crawford; the present incarnation of the company, Crawfords Australia, is now a subsidiary of the WIN television corporation.-History:...
and psychiatrist Dr Eric Cunningham Dax
Eric Cunningham Dax
Dr Eric Cunningham Dax, AO, BSc Lond, HonMD, FRACP, FRANZCP, HonFRCPsych was a British psychiatrist resident in Australia from 1952.-Clinical Work in England:...
.
As a journalist, Tipping covered several world events, including the 1956 Melbourne and 1960 Rome Olympics, the South African Sharpeville massacre of 1960 (for which he received a Walkley Award
Walkley Awards
The annual Walkley Awards, under the administration of the Walkley Foundation for Journalism, are presented in Australia to recognise and reward excellence in journalism. Finalists are chosen by an independent board of eminent journalists and photographers. The awards cover all media including...
), the Chicago Riots of 1968, and the Apollo 11 moon mission.
Disability advocacy
Through his journalism, Tipping was a vocal advocate for people experiencing disadvantage, in particular for people with a disability and their families. In 1953 he described the plight facing the family of an intellectually disabled boy, 'Michael', whose parents tied him to a stake in the backyard rather than send him to the government's Kew Cottages. The story helped foster public sympathy and concern for people with a disability.With support from the Herald and Dr Cunningham Dax, then chairman of Victoria's Mental Hygiene Authority, Tipping became a vigorous campaigner for disability rights. He particularly highlighted the poor conditions at Kew Cottages, and through the Herald he helped raise substantial sums for their refurbishment and development. He also helped raise awareness of the disadvantages of large institutions and the potential value of residential disability services in a community setting.
Death and legacy
Tipping died of cancer on 29 April 1970 in Melbourne and is buried in Burwood cemetery. Shortly before his death a large public meeting was held in the Melbourne Town Hall in order to establish the EW Tipping FoundationEW Tipping Foundation
The EW Tipping Foundation is a not-for-profit community organisation based in Victoria, Australia.The Foundation provides community capital, infrastructure and services...
to support people with a disability.
External links
- http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A160485b.htm
- http://www.tipping.org.au/