PASSIONATE social historian, journalist (and former member for Monaro) Nichole Overall has spent the better part of the last 30 days putting together a set of special pieces, reflecting on big news events from 1993 to 2023, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of “CityNews”.

She admits it has been a challenge to research and cover 30 years of local and international history, “but it has also been fascinating to go back over three decades and see what’s changed and also, as Shirley Bassey (with the Propellerheads) sang, how it’s ‘all just a little bit of history repeating’.”

“There was a lot of research, everything from scouring Trove to other physical archives including ‘CityNews’, as well as making good use of my ample regional history library,” she says.

“While I squeezed as much as I could into 700-odd words to give an overview of each year, it was never going to be possible to cover everything.

“I concentrated on some of the most reflective major headlines and the people and events that were most impactful. And, along with significant moments in local news, the quirkier snippets that make history so interesting.”

Nichole says she was also keen to keep it “fresh” by having each year differ in terms of format and what’s presented.

“Ultimately, I wanted it to be entertainingly informative – definitely not all doom and gloom – to appeal to those remembering these things, and to those who know little or nothing about them, encapsulating some of the highlights, and lowlights of our region’s experiences. Hopefully, that’s what I’ve achieved!”

“CityNews” editor Ian Meikle said the assignment played to the social historian in her, disciplined by the journalist’s looming deadline. 

“As a result, it’s given her work energy as she deliberately varies the writing style. It’s an eclectic look back at the past 30 years, a history in which ‘CityNews’ has been part of. 

“I’m sure readers will enjoy being reminded of the big stories of the day and some of the ones they might have missed. She’s done a brilliant job, I don’t know of anyone else who could have pulled this off so successfully and so professionally. I’ve aged 10 years trying to keep up with her!”