'It is believed the Benalla Standard was launched in 1875 by members of the Reform League who wanted to assist the Liberal Party against the strong support given to the Conservatives by the [Benalla] Ensign. Its first editor was A. J. Curtis, who bought the business in 1877, and in 1881 sold to Messrs Briggs, Gascoigne and Hiscock. Briggs dropped out of the partnership to buy the Nathalia Herald, and when Gascoigne retired in 1923, H. Hiscock became the sole proprietor.
'Hiscock’s sons, Brom and Ernie followed him in ownership until 1960 when it was purchased by Harold Stone. Stone sold within two years to Consolidated News Ltd, in which the main shareholder was D. De la Rue, manager and part–owner of 3NE, Wangaratta. In January 1966, control passed to the Elliott Newspaper Group, which ultimately sold out to the Ensign proprietors in June 1967.'
Source: 'History To Be Saved', Benalla Ensign, 9 December 2011: http://www.mmg.com.au/local-news/benalla/history-to-be-saved-1.4181
