From 1965 to 1966, Farquharson lived in Papua New Guinea and worked as editor of the South Pacific Post. His first child was born while he and his wife were resident in Port Moresby. In 1966 Farquharson and his family returned to Canberra and he took up an appointment as senior sub-editor of The Canberra Times. He was news editor from 1969 until 1975, when he was appointed assistant editor. He was later promoted to deputy editor and in 1985 was appointed editorial manager.
