Thadeus O'Kane was an Irish journalist who migrated to Australia and became one of the best known and most radical newspaper editors and owners in North Queensland. Born in County Kerry, O'Kane trained for the pristhood before moving to London to work as a journalist. Returning to Ireland, he started The Kerry Star before migrating to Australia.
From 1865, O'Kane worked as sub-editor on The North Australian in Ipswich, then as sub-editor of The Morning Bulletin in Rockhampton until 1872. In 1873 he was recruited by James Reid Smith as the editor and part-owner of The Northern Miner. By March 1874 he was sole proprietor, and he continued as both owner and editor until six months before his death in 1890.
O'Kane was a radical journalist who had numerous libel actions brought against him. He was an advocate of various causes including the Liberal Party, Roman Catholicism, separation, republicanism, Irish Home Rule, mining development, and miners' safety. Although he ran for parliament in Bowen in 1880, and in Charters Towers in 1883 and 1888, he was never successful. However he served as alderman from 1880-3, and from 1884-7, as well as being a prominent member of the early Goldfields Committee, and the Chamber of Commerce.
Source: Rod Kirkpatrick. The Life and Times of Thadeus O'Kane. Townsville: North Queensland Newspaper Company Ltd, 2003.
James Manion. Paper Power in North Queensland. Townsville: North Queensland Newspaper Company Ltd, 1982.
