Marking its 70th anniversary, The Sun-Herald is celebrating seven decades of informing and entertaining readers.
From elections and sporting blockbusters, to the City2Surf and everything in between, The Sun-Herald has been reporting on the world around us, informing NSW readers – and particularly Sydneysiders – since 1953.
Now it’s time for The Sun-Herald to feature in its own headline, with the masthead celebrating its 70th birthday with a special edition this Sunday, October 8. A special eight-page souvenir wrap-around will commemorate the way The Sun-Herald has reported on the events of the past 70 years, accompanied by powerful images from across the decades.
The first edition of the Sun-Herald on 11 October 1953
It will also feature an essay by author Peter FitzSimons, columnists such as Jacqueline Maley and Jamila Rizvi sharing their perfect Sundays, and Sunday Life’s Adam Liaw sharing his recipe for the classic Sunday roast in recognition of Sunday as the day people gather with friends and family.
The first edition of The Sun-Herald rolled off the presses on October 11, 1953 after the broadsheet Sunday Herald was merged with the weekend edition of The Sun to become The Sun-Herald. Through this change, the masthead kept its broadsheet editorial policy in a tabloid paper size.
At that time, Joseph Cahill was NSW Premier; the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II had recently occurred; Robert Menzies was Prime Minister, and the population of Sydney was 1.8 million. Sundays in the fifties was a world away from Sydney in 2023.
The 70th anniversary edition which will be published on 8 October 2023
“Our 70th anniversary has provided a wonderful opportunity to reflect on how we have consistently delivered breaking news, agenda-setting journalism, thought-provoking columnists, and entertaining, elevated lifestyle content to our readers,” said The Sun-Herald editor, Melissa Stevens.
Since its first edition – with a price of a sixpence –The Sun-Herald has analysed the state’s news, recorded historic election results, and reported on sporting milestones. It has also given Sydneysiders the latest on weekend property market activity, interviews with leading entertainment figures, as well as carrying its Traveller section and Sunday Life magazine insert.
The Sun-Herald print edition readership increased for the latest quarter ending in June 2023 by 4% QoQ and 16% YoY. The growth can be attributed to a rise in readership among women, specifically women 25-34 and 35-49 years.