Marlborough has a lot to celebrate

OPINION: Inside today's edition of The Marlborough Express is a 32 page supplement celebrating the province's 150th anniversary.

Marlborough was born out of dissatisfaction with the way the region was treated by the Nelson, under whose governance the people of Wairau felt a sense of injustice and neglect.

As cliched as it may sound, a lot has happened in the 150 years since the province was born. There have been two world wars, several famines, floods, earthquakes and other disasters. There has also been much to celebrate.

Looking though the supplement in today's newspaper it is interesting to note some of the businesses that have been around for almost as long as the province itself. This is no doubt due to the business acumen of the respective business founders and owners as well as the loyalty shown by the people of Marlborough.

One of the businesses that has been around for a fair bit of time is The Marlborough Express.

The Marlborough Express and Weekly Commercial Reporter was born on April 21, 1866, in a little office on Alfred St.

The paper began modestly with a circulation in the hundreds and a distribution area encompassing Blenheim and its surrounds.

From its first issue the paper's proprietors, Samuel and Thomas Johnson, signalled a clear vision for its future.

"It is their intention to make the Express essentially a provincial newspaper, giving copious reports of council proceedings, public meetings, law and police cases, goldfields, markets and shipping intelligence, and at the same time to present ... chief items of news from other parts of the colony."

They also pledged the newspaper would be "well-conducted" with discussion on all topics in "a fair and manly way".

More than 140 years later the newspaper is still living up to the ideals of its founders. The way we produce the newspaper may have changed over the years – and the goldfields given way to vineyards – but The Marlborough Express is still committed to covering local events and news in a "fair and manly way" and will still be doing so when our province celebrates its 200th anniversary.

But it's the 150th that currently needs to be celebrated and there will be many people out and about this weekend taking part in some of the many events organised to commemorate this significant milestone in our history.

Whether you're going to the parade on Sunday or the "unofficial" picnic on Monday, take the time to reflect on the many great men and women who have moulded our province and made it the great place it is today. Let's also reflect on the future of Marlborough and make sure that there is as much to celebrate when future generations mark the province's 200th and 250th anniversaries.

Happy birthday Marlborough!

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