VALE – PRINT PIONEER JOAN DANIELS

One of the titans of the local printing industry, and likely the first-ever woman to run a print business in Australia, Joan Daniels, has passed away in Melbourne on 5 October, aged 93.

Margaret Joan Daniels, known to all as Joan, was born in 1930 and grew up in Balwyn in Melbourne, in a family that was involved in many local community and fundraising activities.

As a girl during the war, she knitted khaki socks for the soldiers and served as treasurer of her local church youth group – early indications of what would become a life of dedication and service.

During her school years, at Methodist Ladies College, a long stint in the Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital with scarlet fever inspired her to undertake a nursing career, where she later specialised in the ear, nose and throat area.

During these years, she met and married Frank Daniels, who ran the large printing business of the same name, which had built a solid reputation for quality offset printing since its founding in 1938.

Joan and Frank moved to bayside Beaumaris, and had three children – Greg, Peter and Janet. The family immersed themselves in the local community, where they became involved in the children’s school, in Scouts and Girl Guides, and in local sporting clubs. They often supported those organisations through enthusiastic fundraising.

Tragically, Frank passed away at the age of 48, leaving his business, which employed some 200 staff at the time, without its leader. With no experience in printing, and still with a young family to raise, Joan nevertheless stepped up and took over its management.

It goes without saying that it was rare for a woman to run a business in those days. In print, it was very likely unique. However, Joan took on the challenge, always displaying a genuine interest in her employees and their families.

Over the years, Joan not only succeeded, but excelled, presiding over numerous acquisitions and significant technological developments, embracing opportunities in offset print, finishing, direct mail and, in later years, digital printing. Under her guidance, Frank Daniels grew into one of the largest and most well-respected printing companies in Australia.

As in all areas of her life, Joan went above and beyond in her working life. In another pioneering moment, she became the first woman appointed to the board of the Printing and Allied Trades Employers’ Federation of Australia (PATEFA) – later the Printing Industries Association of Australia, and now Visual Media Association – and sat on the National Printing Council in an advisory role, which acknowledged the value of her expertise and experience.

Remarkably, Joan achieved all of this while continuing to raise her family, and contributing to her community. She sat on the board of the Mothers’ Association at her children’s school, later becoming its chair, and afterwards became the chairperson of the school board, another noteworthy first.

Joan also made a significant contribution to her community through her involvement in Rotary, which she and Frank had joined in 1969. After his death, Joan joined the Melbourne South chapter, inspiring and mentoring members and office bearers for many years. Her accomplishments were so many that, according to Jonathan Shepherd who penned a tribute to her for Rotary some years ago, they would ‘fill another article’ by themselves.

Frank Daniels was acquired in 1998 by The Craftsman Press, but Joan maintained a keen interest in, and connection with, the printing industry following her retirement.

In recent years, she became a much-loved member of The Papyrus Club in Melbourne, where she graced the bi-annual lunches with her warm and entertaining presence, and was always keen to hear the latest news and keep up with the advances in the industry.

Joan Daniels was a genuine trailblazer in many ways, the pioneer for women in print in Australia. More than that, she was held in deep respect and genuine affection by all who were privileged to know her.