THE Journal is gearing up to mark 150 years since the first edition rolled off the press in August 1865.
A window display charting the history of the newspaper, which was first published as the South Bourke and Mornington Journal, is due to open on Tuesday at Dandenong Library in Harmony Square.
The display features, among other things, a timeline of Dandenong and the Journal, legendary reporter Marg Stork’s Imperial typewriter, a copy of the paper from the 1800s and award-winning photographs snapped by Journal photographers.
The public can view the display until 17 August.
The Journal has also commissioned a short film to mark the milestone which will be shown on the big screen in Harmony Square.
The screening of the film will co-incide with a special commemorative edition of the Journal on 10 August marking the historic milestone.
Editor Narelle Coulter said the special edition would pay tribute to the Journal’s rich history and the integral part it had played as the newspaper of record in the Dandenong region.
“The commemorative edition will be a keepsake that we hope readers will treasure,“ said Ms Coulter
“We have talked to lots of people who have had a connection with the Journal over the decades from former paper boys and girls to celebrities who grew up in the area.
“Not many newspapers reach the grand old age of 150, so it’s a very special milestone of which the whole community should be proud.“
Present and former Journal staff will reminisce at a staff reunion at the Dandenong Club on 10 August.
Anyone who worked for the Journal and who is interested in attending the reunion would be welcome and should contact Robyn Butler on 5941 2666 or email journal@starnewsgroup.com.au.
