Unpacking our possessions is a chance to evaluate their worth and use, to query where they came from, or repurpose for where they are headed next. It feels like communities around the world are having a spring clean, too, being made to inspect things past, yet present, and cluttering public space.

The nuclear brinkmanship between the United States and North Korea brings back memories of an unsettling era we all thought we’d long let go. On closer inspection, can we still call our long-time US ally our friend? Do we want this alliance when maverick politicking could lead us to a global war?

And, around the world, we see a violent clash of ideologies and ugly sentiments fashioned by fear in a style too outdated for any 21^st century op shop.

The question of what to keep and what to throw away is also being asked here at home as the nation looks closely at the same-sex marriage plebiscite.

Yes, it’s one big tidy-up around the world right now. The Tribune has been undergoing some tidying up, too, though nothing like those global predicaments.

You might notice we are reinvigorating our community stories, inviting people to be part of the conversation.

We had a good sort through our cupboards to make sure our treasures were on display, such as our Local Leaders, who feature on page 3 each print edition.

We paired long-standing contributors, such as the women of Webs, Weeds and Wisdom, with new voices to be heard through our Young Writers column.

Every home has mementoes, so we made space to show off the keepsakes of people and places and many important events in the lives of Yass Valley.

And, of course, we’ve hung on to all the local news, views, sport and entertainment, in print and online.

The only thing we cleared out was our office kitchen’s excess of crockery and cutlery (some of it possibly dating back to our founding in 1879!)

They will be making their way to Meehan Street charities for National Op Shop Week, August 27 to September 2.