It began publication in 1854, a banner year for Melbourne, with The Age sharing its genesis with a number of other Melbourne icons – The State Library, the Museum, Melbourne University, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Citymission and the Victorian Railways.
Over 300 guests gathered for the 150th birthday celebrations at Melbourne’s Federation Square, including Victorian premier Steve Bracks, former premier Jeff Kennett, music guru Molly Meldrum, actress Sigrid Thorton and former AFL champion Ron Barassi.
Reflections is not a conventional newspaper history publication. Instead of being a rehash of pages from past editions, the book tells the story of Victoria through hundreds of pictures, featuring ten essays commissioned especially for the book and written by journalists from The Age, exploring politics, sport, crime, and social and cultural trends. It is being dubbed as “the biggest collection of pictures on Victorian history ever published in one volume”.
Michael Gawenda, The Age editor-in-chief, says, “Like any newspaper that has survived 150 years, The Age has had its ups and downs but The Age has always had a unique relationship with its readers and the community it serves.
“In a sense, our readers feel they own the paper, that those who work for it are only custodians of this much loved institution. You have every right to feel that way. The Age’s story is also your story.”
Dean Wills, Fairfax chairman of the board, says, “This is a great occasion. The History of The Age is at one with the history of Victoria, and thanks to this wonderful book, the stories of a great state and the great newspaper that has chronicled its progress are united for all to enjoy and study and treasure.”
“Tonight, with the launch of Reflections, our company – our board, management and staff, rededicates itself to The Age and its role in Victoria and our society. I want to congratulate Steve Foley, Geoffrey Blainey and Random House, and to thank all of those associated with this book for a superb achievement that will be treasured by thousands of readers throughout Victoria and the country for years to come.”
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