They are beside me, in the bottom drawer of the filing cabinet, though I never look at them. Except, for the first time in fifteen years, that’s exactly what I’ve just done: got them out and spread them across the floorboards. Canberra Times headlines; front pages, to be precise.
The first is dated September 11, 2001. ‘TERRORISTS STRIKE U.S.’ in the biggest, blackest letters I’ve ever seen in a newspaper. And that photo of a World Trade Centre tower collapsing in white smoke. And that other photo, of ash-covered New Yorkers scrambling for their lives.
What we keep: a reminder of the darkest days?
The next front page, dated October 15, 2002, says ‘Terror Blast’. A photo of stretcher bearers carrying bodies out of a twisted Kuta Beach nightclub. The next is dated January 20, 2003: ‘Our worst day’. More twisted metal, but in a bushfire-blackened landscape. Then, at last, there is change.
November 25, 2007: ‘Rudd buries Howard era’. A fresh-faced new prime minister holds up his hands, ten fingers spread as if he’s giving himself ten out of ten. Only three months later, February 13 2008: ‘Sorry’ says the headline in big white letters, the faces of four elderly Indigenous men, three with grey beards, two wearing beanies, one with glisteningly red eyes. November 6, 2008: ‘American revolution: first black president; a David Pope cartoon of a beaming (and only slightly grey-haired) Barack Obama, a patched-up Uncle Sam slung over his shoulder. Before disaster strikes again. February 10 2009: ‘Dreams in ashes’, which wasn’t a reference to the United States but Victoria: more twisted metal, another bushfire-blackened landscape.
Yet all is not lost. June 25, 2010: ‘History in her hands. Look at Julia Gillard’s face looming large on the page, her eyes full of hope, and perhaps there’s a dash of relief too. December 7, 2013 and there’s a different face: ‘Nelson Mandela 1918-2013: ‘Our nation has lost its great son’’.
The most recent front page in this collection of headlines? March 21, 2015: ‘Malcolm Fraser, 1930-2015’. The former prime minister’s quoting of George Bernard Shaw: ‘Life’s not meant to be easy, my child; but take courage: it can be delightful.’ What exactly are we to make of this private archive of tragedy and triumph? Maybe, just maybe, these headlines are reminders that we live in a world that’s infinitely bigger – and much, much more fascinating – than our tiny little daily worries. And yes, every so often it can even be delightful.
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(This was to be my 81st piece for the First Word column in the Canberra Times. Regrettably the column came to an end before it could be published, so here it is. Thanks to Gillian Lord, Natasha Rudra and Sally Pryor for allowing me to have such a long run with the paper.)
Under the counter or a flutter in the dovecote 
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June 6, 2015 at 9:16+00:00Jun
Gabrielle Bryden
I have a trove of cut-out tragedies too (including some celebrity deaths – Michael Hutchence comes to mind) – notably I haven’t collected any goodnews stories (says a lot really about me – hahahaha). What a pity your column is no more – apparently computers will be writing articles soon #eek
June 6, 2015 at 9:16+00:00Jun
Nigel Featherstone
Hi Gabe, interesting that you do this too, and, you’re right, it’s fascinating that we don’t collect the good-news articles. I suppose we’re after the great drama? Yes, it would have been wonderful if the First Word column had gone on – it had a good and wide readership – but 8 years was a terrific run, and I’m grateful for having the opportunity to write in this way and connect with folk. I do hope all is well with you: I’m guessing where you are is warmer than the minus-7 starts we’ve been having down this way.
June 7, 2015 at 9:16+00:00Jun
Gabrielle Bryden
Everything is pretty good – I think it’s cold but you wouldn’t (minimums of 12-14 and maximums from 23-25) 😊 but some nights still cold enough to spark up the fire. I think you’re right about drama – it’s the same reason we don’t get much good news on the telly or in the newspapers!