John Fairfax

In September 1838, a bankrupt 32-year-old printer from England approached Sydney on the sailing ship Lady Fitzherbert. On seeing the high cliffs outside Port Jackson his courage broke and he wept. What would become of him and his young family in this remote colony? Time answered unequivocally. From this unlikely beginning, he experienced remarkable success at the Sydney Morning Herald, becoming Australia's first press baron and founding a media dynasty, and made a far-reaching contribution to the social and economic development of New South Wales and Australia. His name was John Fairfax, and this is his story.