'Rhythm of our family lives': nation's leaders celebrate The Canberra Times centenary

The Prime Minister and Governor-General have shared their decades-long personal connections to The Canberra Times at the newspaper's centenary celebration.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor-General Sam Mostyn were among ACT and federal politicians, business, sports and cultural leaders, advertisers, subscribers and past and present staff who attended the dinner event at the Hyatt Hotel on Friday night.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined other dignitaries, advertisers, subscribers and staff as The Canberra Times celebrated its centenary, and inset Senators David Pocock and Katy Gallagher.

Prime Minister Albanese praised the newspaper's role in the capital since its first edition on September 3, 1926, and said he still had a Geoff Pryor cartoon hanging behind his desk in his electorate office in Marrickville.

"It says something that every representative in the Federal Parliament from the ACT is here with us this evening about how important it is," Prime Minister Albanese said.

"Because The Canberra Times is a story of courage and vision. It's a story of resilience, innovation, and survival through every upheaval of war, recession and pandemic.

"Through the rapid evolution of media consumption and the shifting tides of ownership. Crucially, it's interwoven with the story of this city."

Ms Mostyn, the first Canberra-born governor-general, spoke about the role the newspaper had played in her life - from the day after she was born and her birth notice was published.

The Prime Minister and Governor-General joined other dignitaries, advertisers, subscribers and staff at the Hyatt Hotel on Friday, October 16.

"I am a proud Canberran and it's a joy to celebrate 100 years, a centenary, of The Canberra Times," Ms Mostyn said.

"The paper was part of the rhythm of our family lives and my life as I grew up. I remember the thump of the paper landing on our driveway and my father, in particular, reading it cover to cover."

The evening began with a welcome to country by Ngambri-Ngunnawal elder Paul Girrawah House and his mother, Aunty Dr Matilda House. Mr House recalled how his first appearance in the newspaper was in a baby photo competition. "We didn't win," Dr House said to laughter.

Mr House then performed on a hand-blown glass yidaki, accompanied by Mr Albanese on clapping sticks.

ACM managing director Tony Kendall praised the dedication of the newspaper's past and present staff and their commitment to the city.

"Through The Canberra Times, the people of the national capital have shared their stories, celebrated successes, mourned losses, championed causes and nurtured and grown their families, businesses, neighbourhoods and city," Mr Kendall said.

"Every day for those 100 years, the staff and management of The Canberra Times have turned up not just for work, but to make a difference for their readers, their advertising clients and the Canberra community."

Managing editor John-Paul Moloney thanked the "essential partners" - subscribers and advertisers - who invested in journalism for the good of the city.

"Independent journalism is an essential thing in a healthy community ... It is vital but it cannot be taken for granted," Mr Moloney said.

"Our journalism needs now, just as it needed so desperately in its early years, backers of its inarguable public good - a good so powerfully demonstrated in our city's gravest times of need."

Cartoonist David Pope joined Senator Katy Gallagher and Senator David Pocock for a discussion, moderated by senior journalist Sally Pryor, about the photos and cartoons that have defined their careers.

Retired journalist Graham Downie joined police reporter Bageshri Savyasachi in leading a toast to the newspaper.

They spoke the words of the newspaper's early motto: "For the cause that lacks assistance, 'Gainst the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do."

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