Sydney celebrates 190 years of the Herald

When the first issue of theHerald hit the streets in 1831,the site of the Sydney Opera House was occupied by a squat stone fort,storing some of the colony’s most powerful guns and weaponry.

On Thursday night,almost two centuries later,the city’s two landmarks came together to mark 190 years ofThe Sydney Morning Herald’s continuous publication.

And instead of a horse and carriage carrying Major General SirRalph Darling,the NSW governor in 1831,a crowd including PremierGladysBerejiklian,former prime ministerJohn Howard and Nine Entertainment Co chairmanPeter Costelloarrived via the Opera House’s paved concrete forecourt and elaborate OH&S approved turning circle.

In an address to the crowd,theHerald’seditorLisa Daviesreflected on the paper’s role in the city now defined internationally by the Opera House.

“I’ve been asked a few times this week why we are celebrating 190 years - and my first response has been,because nobody else can,” she said.

“Our rich history in this city,our contribution to the national debate over almost two centuries and our unwavering commitment to pursuing the stories that matter to our readers is undoubtedly worth celebrating.”

Too true. Former lord mayorLucy Turnbull led a list of Sydney’s luminaries at the party,where she also addressed the crowd and praised theHerald for resilience throughout a turbulent period.

Nine’s chief publishing and digital officerChris Janzsaid he started reading the Herald as a primary school student.

“At a time when many newsrooms are struggling,the Herald is not just surviving,it’s thriving,” he said,noting the audience is “almost double” that of any other Australian masthead.

And in a notable and possible history-making event,News Corp Australia top brass,including News Corp co-chairmanLachlan Murdoch- in sneakers - and News Corp Australia executive chairmanMichael Miller crossed enemy lines to make an appearance at the party. Other senior News Corp executives includedThe Australian’s chief executiveNicholas Gray and group corporate affairs bossCampbell Reid.

The media organisations have,at points in history,been fierce if not violent opponents,but have become more collegiate given the digital threat towering over the modern media landscape.

Other notables in the room included NSW Police commissionerMick Fuller,fund managerCatherine Allfrey and NRL chief executiveAndrew Abdo.Racing NSW chief executivePeter V’landys was picked up byHerald sports editorIan Fuge within a minute of getting in the door,and then greeted by chairman Costello.

Across the room,chefMatt Moran appeared to be enjoying conversation with Nine’s newly minted chief executiveMike Sneesby. Can we expect some more lifestyle content,perhaps?

PwC’s outgoing Sydney managing partnerJoseph Carrozzi said he was pleased to celebrate the milestone even though he hasn’t always agreed with the view of theHerald.”It’s a cornerstone of our society,” he said of the paper he first started reading as a primary school student in the western Sydney’s suburb of Fairfield.

“I started reading for the sport and now I read it all,” he said.