b'Media magnatesFrom the 1930s to the 1970s one of the most dominantopportunity to take over a struggling Angus & Robertson, figures in Australian business was Sir Frank Packer.another longstanding client of the firm. Norman Cowper Renowned for his confrontational and autocratic style,was chairman of Angus & Robertson at the time and Packer rose from cadet on his fathers newspaper, the Dailyresisted Packers efforts to acquire the company. Although Guardian, to become one of Australias most successfulCowper and Packer had worked together for almost thirty media magnates across print and television.years, they didnt hold back in expressing their strongly opposing views, which were published in Packers The Daily At twenty-s ix, Packer launched what would become theTelegraph newspaper. When Packer called Cowper a dragon, largest-s elling magazine in Australia: The Australian WomensCowper responded, I have always seen him as the dragon, Weekly. The first national magazine of its kind, it wasshooting fire from his eyes and brimstone from his nostrils.unveiled at the height of the Great Depression with the hope it would lift the morale of women across Australia. InitiallyCowper and Reichenbach found themselves on opposing published as a black and white newspaper, the first editionsides of Packers pursuit of Angus & Robertson, writing sold 121,162 copies far more than the 50,000 anticipated. each other strongly worded letters from adjoining offices. Eventually, Packer conceded defeat and sold his shares As the magazine went from strength to strength, Packerto a group of British publishers. He used the profits to combined The Australian Womens Weekly with The Dailycommission a 12-metre racing yacht he named Gretel Telegraph newspaper to form Consolidated Press. Allenafter his late wife. In 1962 Gretel went on to be the first Allen & Hemsley was appointed the companys solicitors.Australian boat to mount a challenge for the Americas Cup.Gabriel Reichenbach, a senior and highly effective litigator, managed the work. Australian Consolidated Press (as it wasFollowing the death of Sir Frank Packer, the firm continued later known) became a major client for the next fifty years.to provide legal advice to his son Kerry and Consolidated Press Holdings, until a change of management broughtPacker thrived on taking risks and he kept the firm busyan end to the fifty-year relationship.with a steady stream of litigation. In 1960 Packer saw an The first national magazine of its kind, The Australian Womens Weekly was unveiled at the height of the Great Depression with the hope it would lift the morale of women across Australia.110'