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In big and small newspapers, magazines and periodicals around the world, there occurs for every issue a critical meeting of editorial minds to decide story order. What will lead Page 1? How will every other candidate story of the day be prioritised? What won’t make it for want of space?

The meeting of editorial minds for Forty South is a meeting of one, and it takes the form of a few minutes for each issue looking at the story list and choosing the order they will appear in the magazine. Logic plays a part, when for example two similar-themed articles naturally run one after the other, and occasionally subjectivity can influence the process (but don’t tell anyone I told you that).

Mostly, however, it’s purely a function of editorial experience, and it’s a deeply satisfying function. Having spent weeks and sometimes months assessing, developing, editing – living with – the feature articles that will be published, you can get very attached to them. Choosing the story order for them is personal and intimate, like arranging the seating for a large family Christmas lunch.

At the head of the table for this issue is Terry Mulhern’s tale of the secret life within the secret tunnels of kunanyi. Who knew? Luckily, Terry got out safely, living to tell the tale. It’s a great tale.

All our writers are stars, but shining particularly brightly this issue is Hilary Burden. She has become the first person to write three articles in one issue of Forty South. Blame me if you like, but I have yet to find a reason to say no to Hilary.

Another star of this issue of the magazine is this issue of the magazine. It’s number 100. It has been published uninterrupted four times a year for 25 years. That’s 100 editorial meetings to prioritise more than 1,000 stories about Tasmania and Tasmanians. That’s a story in itself.

I look forward to the next 100.

Forty South Tasmania Magazine Description:

Tasmania has been described as the world's best-kept secret, but it's not our fault - we have been telling the world about Tasmania for over 20 years. Forty South Tasmania has been described as a lifestyle magazine with brains. It offers three things: interesting features about Australia's island state, good writing and stunning photography. The magazine is a household name in Tasmania, but also has many subscribers elsewhere - people who have visited this beautiful place and now read the magazine for a regular reminder of an extraordinary experience. Forty South Tasmania offers feature stories, and stunning photography, about Tasmanian places and people, tourism, history and lifestyle, and regular columns on Tasmanian food, wine, arts and culture.