So much has happened in that time. Orange has certainly grown substantially.

I guess you commenced with a world engrossed in war, right through other major conflicts, some where people from our region were involved, to now with more isolated and smaller conflicts.

I remember in my younger days, no television and just how important the daily paper was to my parents who had it delivered to their house. Dad advertised in it for work, he was a painting contractor. Mum kept up to date with all the social happenings, weddings, engagements, funerals, up-coming balls and events of importance to the household.

Mum and Dad both kept articles and photos out of the paper and I am now the custodian of them. I get much pleasure in going through them, comparing fashion, cost of houses and other goods and seeing what pictures were on at the theatres.

Then there was sport, keeping up to date on who was playing who and where and the results. The Olympics and Commonwealth games and state and Australian championships. How else but the trusted 'local' to get you information (not forgetting radio), but the paper travelled from the kitchen table, to work with Dad, then back home where Mum would catch up with 'happenings', then us kids.

That 75 years has seen the introduction of TV in Orange and large communication towers on Mt Canobolas, fires that went for several weeks on and around the mountain, floods, drought and many would remember the devastating hail storm.

It saw the introduction of Orange Field Days, now The Australian National Field Days.

It has seen the operation of an abattoir, now long forgotten and the commencement of Emmco right through to its closure as Electrolux. Both employed so many and were instrumental in the growth of Orange. It has seen the re-emergence of gold mining in the district where the first payable gold was found in 1851.

The changes to Orange's biggest store, originally called Daltons, The Western Stores, Grace Brothers, then Myers, finally closing and now rebirthed with the original name Dalton Bros'.

It reported on the seasons being faced by our orchardists plus the development and opening of schools, Orange Agricultural College (now CSU) and has seen the establishment of museums, galleries, the Conservatorium of Music and performing arts theatre.

I am a newspaper person, and will always be, not only for catching up on events and happenings, but a relaxation to retain that piece of mind.

Congratulations to all the existing staff, and past, for your contribution to our beautiful city.

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