SSO makes history
The publication today of the 1000th edition of Sydney Star Observer is another milestone in the publication’s long history.
The 1000th edition falls in the paper’s 30th year, making it the oldest gay and lesbian publication in the country, as well as the highest-circulating and the most-read.
Letters of congratulations have been coming from across the country.
The Liberals’ Don Harwin, who is Opposition Whip in the Legislative Assembly, put a motion to the NSW Parliament congratulating Sydney Star Observer last Wednesday, which was agreed to by the House.
The motion read “…this House notes that on Wednesday 9th of December 2009, the 1000th issue of the local community newspaper, Sydney Star Observer, will be published.
“For 30 years the Sydney Star Observer has served the Australian gay and lesbian community as the pre-eminent provider of news and information.
“The Sydney Star Observer is distributed in regional New South Wales, capital cities and tourist gateways such as Cairns in North Queensland.
“The Sydney Star Observer has the highest audited circulation of any gay and lesbian weekly newspaper in the country.
“And the Sydney Star Observer website is one of the most popular online sources for Australian gay and lesbian news and views with an active interstate and overseas readership.
“…[T]his House congratulates the staff, contributors and volunteers, past and present, that have made the Sydney Star Observer such a successful publication and such an important part of the gay and lesbian community.”
Letters also came in from former NSW premier Nathan Rees, Member for Wentworth Malcolm Turnbull, NSW Opposition leader Barry O’Farrell, Sydney mayor and Bligh MP Clover Moore, Australian Greens leader Bob Brown and former High Court judge Michael Kirby.
Community groups to offer their congratulations include ACON, BGF, Positive Life, Harbour City Bears, QueerScreen, the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, New Mardi Gras and Team Sydney.
Sydney Star Observer will host a number of special events for SSO Media shareholders and community members during the first half of 2010 as part of our 30th anniversary celebrations. Watch this space for details.
The premier voice in gay and lesbian news
This issue marks the 1000th time this newspaper has hit the streets — not a bad achievement for a newspaper whose first editions were hand delivered by our founder.
Sydney Star Observer is truly your newspaper. It is jointly owned by hundreds of gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual and queer Sydneysiders who believe in the importance of an independent community news source. No shareholder or board member has ever been paid; all profits are retained in the community.
Since the first issue in 1979 we have been breaking news — from the first Australian reference to AIDS, the battles to legalise homosexuality to the darkest days of the AIDS epidemic.
Over the years SSO has acted as a platform for hundreds of community organisations, and I am delighted to report that in the last year alone we have been able to provide over $300,000 worth of support to community organisations.
The fight for equality is constant and ongoing and SSO’s reputation for fair and balanced reporting has won it respect and support from religious figures and politicians on both sides of the house.
As well, SSO has campaigned to improve safety in our ghettos and supported hundreds of health initiatives.
With the highest audited circulation of any gay and lesbian newspaper in the country and a constantly growing online readership, SSO is set to further strengthen its position in the hearts and minds of gay Sydney.
Who knows what form the 2000th edition of SSO will take, but you can be confident that the core values of integrity, independence and quality journalism will be as important in another 30 years as they are today.
Finally, on behalf of the board, staff and community shareholders I would like to thank you, our readership, for your unfailing support during our first 30 years. I look forward to meeting you at our 30th birthday celebrations in the new year.
— Daniel Bone
Chair, SSO Media
Kudos to SSO on such a landmark!!! 1000 issues is no mean feat….. especially during such tough times. I will be looking forward to the next 1000!!!
Our congratulations SSO on your 1000th issue!
For over 30 years, the Sydney Star Observer has provided a voice for the Sydney GLBTQ community through it’s editorial, journalism and partnerships.
The importance of such publications is undeniable.
In fact, SSO’s reporting on important developments affecting our community, be they political, health-related or social in nature, or indeed in the recording of community events such as DIVA, truly help cement our community’s place in the rich history and sparkling social fabric of this fabulous city we call home.
On behalf of the DIVA Board, we congratulate the staff, photographers and contributors – past and present – on a truly outstanding history, full of many highlights and achievements.
Chookas for the next 1000 issues to come, and we look forward to welcoming SSO’s staff and readers to DIVA’s very own milestone event next year.
Best wishes,
Shelley Legs Diamond & Sheila Bliege
Co-Chairs of DIVA – Avid Events
We need this as our local paper vilifies people who are gay with http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/opinion/letters
On behalf of VIII Gay Games Cologne 2010 I want to say congrats to this major milestone, what a impressive number! SSO issued its first edition in the same year as SC Janus Sportsclub e.V. back in Cologne / Germany was founded and we are very proud to share our common history and all the support you have given us to make our vision of Gay Games 2010 work. Continue on SSO and all you fantastic contributors behind this truly iconic landmark of gay & lesbian media voice.
And still looking as fresh as a first edition. Congratulations to the team :)
That’s a phenomenal achievement! Well done to everyone over the years who have put in such a huge effort to bring this very professional publication to its readers.
to our dear friends at the Star Observer… congratulations from the entire team at Guidetogay.com – your contribution to the community is fantastic and all of you work so very hard.
We are proud to be associated with the best newspaper in the country for our community, and look forward to our friendship extending through another 1,000 editions and our joint principles and efforts even beyond.
Lots of love!
xxx
Others say CONGRATULATIONS, we at Freezone say THANKS! During the past 27 years, we have made volleyball a part of the community. Whilst expenses rise, only a limited number of players can utilise the training venue at any given time.
The LOUD, proud and continual support of SSO as our Media Partner makes our small organisation viable and assists our 100 or so members and affiliates enjoy sport.
You publish our success, your sports pages are emblazoned with our comings and goings; here in Sydney, Australia-wide and around the globe.
When travelling it is interesting to pick up G & L publications to see how they stack up. For supporting local events and community based sport, SSO can stand tall: its coverage and photography is unrivaled.
Doing this on a budgetary shoe-string is a credit to the Board, Editor and all staff and volunteers who make the SSO OUR Sydney Star Observer. Grow and shine for years to come, set the standards and let the rest of the world follow.
For support in sport, Freezone Volleyball say THANKS!
Public Officer.
I can remember the very first issue of SSO – in fact I think I may still have it somewhere
That is survives today is an amazing feat and one I think we as a community take for granted.
We should embrace, love and support our paper ….. because I can guarantee you we will miss it when it is gone.
I love SSO …… and I love the fact you have reached 1000 editions!
1000 issues? Amazing! How many other gay and lesbian newspaper can boast such a feat? None in Australia that’s for sure.
Thanks SSO for everything you do – much of it unheralded (like the hundreds of thousands of dollars in community sponsorship you give each year).
There are many pretenders to the crown, but SSO always has and always will be the pinnacle of gay news in Australia.
I know a few of the people who work at SSO and I can assure you this is an amazing feat.
It is a very small and very dedicated team that brings us the news each week, a team that works countless hours of overtime at no extra pay to ensure we get a great read – free i might add – every week.
Thanks SSO for giving us so much over such a long time … I and the rest of the community in Sydney, NSW, Australia and the rest of the world are truly blessed to be served by a publication such as yours.
God, 1000 editions and I feel like I may well have read 900 of them.
I can’t imagine where we as a community would be without SSO … we are very lucky to have had such a great community paper for so many years – and one that continues to stay relevant.
Looking forward to the next 1000 issues ….
Congrats SSO – your place in Australia’s gay and lesbian history is cemented … and a grand old place it is as well …
Congratulations to Scott and his wonderful staff at the SSO. 1000 editions is a milestone to be proud of. Team Sydney is very grateful for your suppport and encouragement with your dedicated sports pages. This has enabled us to get the message that we can indeed have a healthy lifestyle through sport.
May the Holy bitch Dingo spray you with her blessings dear SSO. yOUR CONTRIBUTION TO OUR COMMUNITY LOCALLY, NATIONALLY & internationally is sometning you and all contributors should be justly proud of.
today is, indeed, a special occasion and a candle has been lit on my altar (scented of course) to waft blessings of peace, universal love & the the continuing expiation of stigmatic guilt. We even still pray for Bert. LOL.