The book "A History of Camden Chinese Market Gardeners 1899-1993" edited by Ian Willis & Julie Wrigley tells the story of Chinese market gardeners in Camden. They faced challenges such as the White Australia Policy and local ostracism but demonstrated resilience. The book sheds light on their history and is recommended for those interested in local studies and the Chinese diaspora.
Category: Agriculture
Celebrate Camden 93, a spring festival
In 2023, Camden celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Celebrate Camden 93 spring festival, initiated by the Camden Chamber of Commerce to boost tourism. Despite initial sponsorship issues, the event drew over 100,000 attendees and was deemed a success. Subsequent festivals struggled with community support, leading to its eventual discontinuation.
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The Camden Story: the historiography of the history of the country town of Camden NSW
The history of telling the story of a small community has been interpreted in different ways at different times in the past by different historians. This area of study is called the historiography. I have recently published an article on the historiography of the small country town of Camden, NSW.
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Camden Show 2023
The Camden Show is on again after floods and Covid stopped it in recent years. The show is back with all the bells and whistles of the past with some new innovations. A must see is the 2023 Camden Show.
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The Cowpastures’ English-styled gentry and their private villages and land grants
The Cowpastures gentry, a self-proclaimed English aristocracy, resided on expansive estates while engaging in business and politics across the British Empire. By the late 1820s, they had transformed the landscape to resemble the English countryside. Various types of people, including convicts and freemen, also inhabited the area.
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Ferguson’s Nursery, the post-war years
During the post-war years, Ferguson's Nurseries continued to be located on Sydney’s urban fringe as the metropolitan area expanded into the rural surrounds.
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Ferguson’s Australian Nurseries on the urban fringe
The 20th-century story of Ferguson’s Australian Nurseries is about their location within Sydney’s rural-urban fringe.
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Ferguson’s Australian Nurseries, a century of horticulture
Ferguson's Australian Nursery was part of the horticulture industry in the Camden area for over 100 years. Francis Ferguson established a nursery opposite Macquarie Grove on the Nepean River.
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Camden’s Inaugural Jacaranda Festival Highlights
The 2018 Camden Jacaranda Festival, inspired by the local Jacaranda trees, was launched and featured live music, a Christmas tree lighting, and a street market. The festival evolved from the previous Light Up Camden festival and emphasized local history through walking tours. The inaugural event celebrated the area's rich botanical heritage.
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Cowpastures memorial, Oran Park
The story of the Cowpastures can be told in many ways including through public art. At Oran Park an art installation of a herd of bronze cows is one approach to storytelling.
