Reflections - 150 Years of History

To celebrate 150 years of publishing, Random House and The Age have released a magnificent commemorative record of the times, Reflections: 150 Years of History.

Capturing the biggest events in news, politics, sport and war, Reflections also shows, stunningly, the changing face of Australia and the revolutions in fashion, music, lifestyle and culture.

Filled with iconic and rare images recovered from the archives, it is one of the most comprehensive visual histories (more than 700 illustrations) ever published in Australia.

The Age Editor-in-Chief, Michael Gawenda said: "A good newspaper both reflects and celebrates the community it serves and holds to account those in the community who have the power and privilege to shape its future."

"It covers the lives, dreams and aspirations and problems that confront ordinary people. It covers personal tragedies and personal triumphs as well as tragedies and triumphs we share as a community."

Since 1854 The Age has reported momentous events, both local and overseas; it has mirrored changes, both economic and social; it has made vivid the lives that give its community of Melbourne and Victoria both richness and diversity.

Edited by Age journalist Steve Foley, Reflections is a remarkable journey through the defining eras, from the 1850s gold rush, Federation, two World Wars and global Depression to the modern world we know today.

Geoffrey Blainey, in his 20,000 word introduction, recounts the arrival of the first edition of The Age on October 17, 1854, at the opening of the great exhibition. When ''amid the bales of wool, specimens of gold and copper ore, potatoes and cabbages, barrels of beer and bags of flour - Victoria proclaimed its material progress…Sir Charles Hotham, was formally presented with the first edition of a brand new newspaper 'printed in gold, and tastefully mounted.' It was called The Age.''

The role of the newspaper, and its place in this 150-year story, is fondly encapsulated by leading journalists of The Age, whose essays introduce each of the 10 themed sections. They include:
· Politics by Michael Gordon
· War by Peter Ellingsen
· City by James Button
· Witness by Andrew Rule
· Life by Jane Sullivan
· Fashion by Janice Breen Burns
· Music by Shaun Carney
· Crime by Gary Tippet
· Culture by Michael Shmith
· Sport by Greg Baum

An exhibition of photographs from Reflections will be displayed at The Atrium at Federation Square from August 11 - September 20, 2004.