A balmy spring evening
On a balmy spring evening in Camden, local dignitaries assembled on the forecourt of the revamped Camden Civic Centre for the official re-opening in front of an assembled audience.
A $9.9 million upgrade of the centre has ‘reimagined the facility as a modern, multi-purpose venue’. (Camden Council 2025).
The building works have included a new entry off John Street, new workspaces in the undercroft, upgrades to the back-of-house facilities, electrical systems, acoustics, and other infrastructure, as well as new outdoor spaces, facilities to accommodate exhibitions, upgraded toilets, and a new recording studio.
These upgrades have brought a tired public building up to the standard expected of a heavily used community hall and support spaces.
Opening
At the official opening, speeches began shortly after 6 pm with a smoking ceremony by Indigenous people from Yass, a welcome to country by Aunty Glenda Chalker, and brief addresses from Mayor Theresa Fideli, General Manager Andrew Carfield, and Member for Camden Sally Quinnell.
Ms Quinnell, a former music teacher and musician, spoke of the need for a space such as the Civic Centre for the local creative sector and young musicians.
Mayor Fideli outlined how the project came in on budget and that ‘$7.7 million in funding from the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program, alongside Camden Council’s $2.2 million contribution’.(Camden Council 2025)
General Manager Carfield thanked the contractors and council staff for their efforts in the successful completion of the project.
Daryl Sidman was invited to the podium and thanked him for producing the small gift of a pen created from the timbers of the old civic centre to commemorate the official opening. The idea for the gift originated with Ms Phillipa Percy from the Civic Centre.
Highlights of the redevelopment
An integral part of the redevelopment has been the installation of public art. Several local artists were commissioned to create artworks, which are displayed throughout the building and its surroundings.
These artworks include
a hand-painted mural by Dharawal artist, Michael Fardon; a hand-painted mural by founders of Dalmarri Art, Trevor Eastwood and Jason Douglas; sculptural seating art by Abbey Michelle Rich; a stainless steel sculpture entitled The Eternal Flame by Odilon Barraquio; and an incredible light box exhibition space, the inaugural exhibition featuring the work of Camden artist Jane Wray. (Camden Council 2025)
A new grand piano, valued at $59,663, has been funded through the NSW Government’s Creative Capital Funding Program. (Camden Council 2025)
Community space
The centre can be hired for a range of functions, from weddings and celebrations to art exhibitions, live theatre, and corporate events. (Camden Council 2025)
Following the reopening, a full program of events is coming up, including a careers expo, charity dinners, and comedy shows.
History of the civic centre site
The first hall on the site was erected by the Camden RSSAILA (Returned Sailors’, Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Imperial League of Australia, later RSL) following the Second World War. The hall came from the Narellan Military Camp, situated at the corner of Mitchell and Oxley Streets. The league had purchased the site after the war, and it was held in trust by three Frank E Donnelly (hotelkeeper), Jack N Dunk (agricultural contractor) and Walter H Holdsworth (taxi proprietor). (Camden RSL 2025; Camden Civic Centre 2025)
The council purchased the site in 1969, including the hall from the Camden RSL. Planning for a new community centre began in the late 1970s, and Sydney architects Devine Erby and Mazlin were commissioned to design a centre. The new building opened in 1983.
When the council purchased the site from the Camden RSL, it also acquired the Rose Park memorial garden. The memorial park was built in 1954 with funds donated by Mrs FA Macarthur Onslow, and officially opened by Prime Minister Menzies the same year. (Camden Civic Centre 2025)
Reflection
The recent building upgrades were overdue and have brought a tired building, heavily used by the local community, up to the standard expected of a growing and vibrant community on the outskirts of the Sydney metropolitan area.
The shortcomings in the old building, particularly those in the back-of-house areas, have been corrected, and the building has been made more functional for its intended users and customers.
The public areas provide a more comfortable experience for visitors, customers, and hirers, making the building more accessible and attractive as a public space.
The reoriented entry off John Street integrates the centre into the more critical heritage precinct in the Camden Town Centre, reimagining and revitalising the small and underutilised Rose Park memorial garden.
The building works, while not readily discernible to the casual observer, make the centre more functional for visiting artists, local musicians and community groups.
The council is to be commended for bringing the project in on budget and getting value for money from state government and ratepayers’ funds.
The centre has served the Camden community well since 1982 and should be a vibrant community hub for another 50 years.
References
Camden Civic Centre 2025, Storyboards, Camden Civic Centre.
Camden Council 2025. Camden Civic Centre transformation unveiled – Camden Council. [online] Available at: https://www.camden.nsw.gov.au/media-centre/latest-news/camden-civic-centre-transformation-unveiled [Accessed 6 Nov. 2025].
Camden RSL 2025. About Us. [online] Camden RSL Sub-Branch. Available at: https://www.camdenrslsubbranch.com.au/about-us/ [Accessed 9 Nov. 2025].
Discover more from Camden History Notes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
