Last week, The Australian celebrated a milestone 60 years with a gala dinner at The Australian Museum in Sydney.
The black tie, sit-down dinner for 250 of the most influential people in the country showcased the newspaper’s legacy. The evening featured editorial content from the past six decades, with speakers, performers, and a menu featuring Australian food and wine.
The dinner was hosted by News Corp chairman Lachlan Murdoch and The Australian’s editor-in-chief Michelle Gunn.
Speaking to guests, Murdoch said: “Journalists first and foremost report the news, accurately and without bias. We report the facts, we ask questions, we seek the truth.”
Michelle Gunn said the event was about celebrating journalism, “because there is no doubt the world needs quality journalism more than ever.
“But tonight is also a celebration of the power of good ideas. A clarion call for Australians to rediscover the art of persuasion. An entreaty to the thinking men and women of Australia to engage in thoughtful, vigorous debate about the things that matter.”
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Australian chef and restaurateur Neil Perry designed the menu, with wines selected by Peter Gago, chief winemaker at Penfolds. The evening included a live performance by Australian singers Budjerah and Missy Higgins.
The Australian was first published in Canberra on 15 July 1964. It has grown to become the most-read national newspaper in the country, with an audience of over 4 million Australians every month across print and digital.
Photo gallery of guests at the 60th anniversary event
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and News Corp chairman Lachlan Murdoch
Opposition leader Peter Dutton and his wife Kirilly Dutton
Michelle Gunn, editor-in-chief, The Australian, and News Corp chairman Lachlan Murdoch
Michael Miller, executive chairman, News Corp Australasia, and Tonya Miller
Lou Barrett, managing director client partnerships, News Corp Australia
Trent Dalton, journalist, The Australian, Petra Rees, deputy editor, and Nicholas Gray, managing director and publisher, The Australian and Prestige
Siobhan McKenna, CEO broadcasting, News Corp and her husband James Flintoft
Naysla Edwards, vice president brand, charge cards and member experience at American Express; Mim Haysom, CMO/EGM brand and customer experience, Suncorp Group; Mike Connaghan, managing director commercial content, News Corp Australia; and Corrina Davison, managing director American Express, Australia & New Zealand
Performing artists Budjerah Slabb and Missy Higgins
Australian chef and restaurateur Neil Perry; John Lehmann, cellar director, The Australian Wine Club; and Peter Gago, chief winemaker at Penfolds
Sam Gance, co-founder of Chemist Warehouse, and Janet Roach
Madeline Holtznagel and Justin Hemmes
More information on the 60th anniversary can be found here.
Top image: Michael Miller, Executive Chairman, News Corp Australasia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Michelle Gunn, Editor-in-Chief, The Australian