This volume of NJ (both issues) holds a particular place in the history of drama education in Australia. In 1976, 40 years ago, the national association for drama education professionals in Australia was formed. NADIE, as it was then called, was an association of associations, with every State and Territory running their own association to meet the needs of each particular educational context that varies so much from location to location. One of the central tenets of the formation of NADIE (now Drama Australia) was the establishment of a professional journal to provide a strong theoretical foundation and research-informed practice for our ground-breaking educators. Now, Drama Australia is 40 years old, and NJ (which became a fully refereed professional journal in 1993) is up to Volume 40. The journal continues to inform and support the practice of reflective and critical drama educators in Australia and beyond. The articles published in NJ share, and critically examine, theory, research and practice from all over the world, and there is a deliberate attempt to avoid parochialism. Having said that, this issue has a particularly local focus and presents some of the historical and current concerns that have been part of the consciousness of drama educators in Australia.