FRONTPAGE HEADLINES LATEST WPCC EXHIBITION
Exploring the transformation of the humble newspaper front page over the past 150 years is the focus of the latest From the Vault exhibition on at the Western Plains Cultural Centre.
Using the collection of archived local newspapers the exhibition highlights the importance of the front page of the newspaper which, before the advent of radio and television, was the main form of mass communication.
Local Studies Officer Simone Taylor said newspapers provided news, entertainment but also helped to shape public opinion.
“Across past decades our newspapers have undergone considerable change, reflecting broader trends in technology and communication, making for a fascinating insight into shifting cultural attitudes,” she said.
“Newspapers record a rough draft of history, with the who, what, when, where and how, printed right there on the page.”
The transformation of the front page is clearly demonstrated throughout the exhibition, showing their evolution from large broadsheets containing a jumble of tightly printed text, to those with evocative headlines and colourful images.
The stories told on these front pages feature a number of significant local and cultural events, including the 1954 Queen’s Visit, the 1919 Flu Pandemic in 1919, and the collapse of the Macquarie View Hotel in 1939.
The exhibition also explores how the use of newspapers has changed in recent decades.
“The introduction of digital technology has disrupted the traditional role that newspapers play in our society, and to meet these challenges the industry is currently undergoing a rapid transformation.”
“Despite the challenges newspapers remain an important source of local news and information, a touchstone for freedom, democracy, and the power of the written word,” Mrs Taylor said.
Frontpage will on display from 21 June through to 25 November.
Last Edited: 23 Jun 2025