Welcome to our 100th edition

Given the milestone and the journey it’s taken to get here, I thought I could get away with one photo without my mask to celebrate!

Who would ever have thought that’s how the opening of my editorial comment would start to mark our 100th edition of Southbank News, but there you have it.

While a global pandemic and scenes of a struggling city don’t provide an ideal backdrop to celebrate, from our perspective, the adversity makes this achievement just as special.

It’s been a great journey to 100 editions of this newspaper and, for me personally, Southbank is where it all began.

While today I now have the honour in publishing both sister publications Docklands News and CBD News as director of Hyperlocal News, I assumed the role as editor of what was then Southbank Local News after its 32nd edition in 2014.

Back then, the newspaper, much like the community, was still finding its feet in so many ways. As I physically began walking the streets and delivering the newspaper myself off the back of a trolley over the next 50 odd editions and connecting with so many locals in the process, I was able to learn and discover so much about Southbank, South Wharf and eventually, Montague.

While those new to the area are often surprised that a local paper exists in a place like Southbank, I’ve learned over time that its role in building that sense of connection is especially important in new, high-rise communities, where, as COVID-19 has proven, life can be isolating at times.

I’m proud of what the paper has been able to achieve and while times are very tough right now, we hope the milestone, complete with a special cartoon wrap illustrated by the enigmatic Michael Lindell and pieced together by the lovely Georgia Camden, gives you a reason to smile (refer to our pdf archive for more).

There are so many people to thank, but I might save that for when lockdowns end and we can celebrate in person! In the meantime, enjoy a few images above and on page 31 of some highlights from over the years.

But in short, thank you to the newspaper’s founders Shane Scanlan and Sean Rogasch, our contributors, advertisers, my team, and you, the local community, for making Southbank News into what it has become over the past 100 editions. We look forward to bringing you many more •

Sean Car - Editor & Publisher

Southbank News

A message from the Lord Mayor …

Southbank is a suburb that demonstrates the powerful transformation of inner Melbourne – from a rich Aboriginal history of thousands of years to a more recent industrial past to today’s mini modern metropolis of more than 20,000 residents.

Southbank today is almost unrecognisable compared with the area just a few decades ago. The industrial buildings have been replaced with skyscrapers and, instead of finding a brickworks, you’ll discover boutique bars and even a microbrewery.

A concerted push to revitalise the area has led to great progress and change, and a boom in residents and workers moving to Southbank. And the City of Melbourne has played its part in transforming Southbank.

Boyd Park was recently completed and there are more changes planned to enhance the liveability of Southbank and showcase the Yarra and the Arts Precinct. These include completing (finally) the Southbank Boulevard upgrade and commencing the new Southbank Promenade. More parks and open spaces will continue to provide shared zones for residents, workers and visitors to enjoy and activate.

Importantly, this evolving area has been well served for more than eight years by its local newspaper, Southbank News. Southbank News has developed alongside the local community and is a critical outlet to tell important local stories and profile priorities for the neighbourhood. This outstanding local paper has a strong connection with the community, as demonstrated by the publication of its 100th edition. Well done.

More than ever we need to continue building our sense of community as our city overcomes a once-in-a-century pandemic that has caused so much devastation. It will take our combined efforts and support for each other and local businesses, to revitalise and rebuild our great city.

Southbank News plays a big role in reflecting the struggles and successes of the local community and mobilising action; these are a key part of the bigger story of our Melbourne.

Congratulations to Southbank News on reaching such a major milestone and here’s to another 100 editions! •

Lord Mayor of Melbourne Sally Capp