Randal Heymanson
Sir Sydney Henry Heymanson was an Australian journalist who had a long career as an international correspondent for The Herald and its affiliated Australian Newspapers Service, based at first in London and later in New York City.
Early life and education
Sydney Henry Heymanson was born at South Yarra, Melbourne, Australia, in 1903. His parents were Frederick Leopold Heymanson and Bertha McDonnell Heymanson. His father worked as a commercial traveller.After his early education at All Saints' Grammar School in East St Kilda and the Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, he was awarded a scholarship to the University of Melbourne, where he graduated with first-class honours in 1924. At university, he won prizes in history, political science, and political economy and was elected editor of the Melbourne University Magazine.
After finishing his university studies in Melbourne, Heymanson worked as a history master at his grammar school. In 1925, he was a founder and first editor of the University of Melbourne's student newspaper, Farrago. In 1926, he traveled to England, where he enrolled as a doctoral student at the London School of Economics and Political Science, studying under Arnold Toynbee. To support himself in London, he worked as a lecturer in the extension program of the University of London and as a reporter for The Herald, which had a staff in London.
Career
Heymanson abandoned academia and turned his attention to journalism, becoming European correspondent for The Herald and the Australian Newspaper Service, as well as supplying articles to British newspapers. As an early commentator on the rising power of Adolf Hitler in Germany, he warned of the possible approach of war. In July 1939 he collaborated with Roy Lewis to start a newsletter called Vital News that they distributed confidentially to British and American government policymakers and bankers until December 1941.In 1940, Heymanson, who was by then using the first name of "Randal", accepted Sir Keith Murdoch's invitation to start a New York bureau for The Herald
Heymanson was based in New York for the rest of his life. In addition to serving as editor and manager for the Australian News Service's New York bureau, he developed extensive networks of professional and personal connections in the United States. He was a member of the Foreign Press Association of New York, of which he was president in 1942–43, the White House Correspondents' Association, and the National Press Club of Washington. In 1946 he and Keith Murdoch participated in a meeting with U.S. business leaders that led in 1948 to the establishment of the American Australian Association for the purpose of fostering understanding and cooperation between the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. As one of the organisation's principal founders, he served the American Australian Association as a director from 1948 to 1984, vice-president from 1949 to 1965, president from 1966 to 1967, and chairman from 1967 to 1984. His leadership played a significant role in fostering opportunities for prominent businessmen, politicians and diplomats from Australia to interact with their American peers. Australian Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies called him "the best informed Australian living in America".
He retired from his position as New York bureau chief for The Herald in 1969, but continued to contribute to The Herald and other members of the Australian Newspapers Service until his death in 1984.