The 2024 Back to Belgenny festival at Belgenny Farm in South Camden showcased living history with reenactments, traditional trades, and stalls selling arts and crafts of the past. Activities included sheepdog trials, live music, vintage cars, and guided history tours of the site. The farm represents the settler society through the generations of the Macarthur family and their workers.
Category: Architecture
Camden Police Station and Residence: A Historical Landmark in Camden
Camden Police Station, a single-storey brick building at 35 John Street, was constructed in 1878 and served the NSW Police Service until 2011. Designed by James Barnet, it features historical architectural elements, including a paved verandah and brick chimneys. Currently vacant, it is recognized for its heritage value within the Camden community.
Share this:
Share this:
Connecting Community: John Street and the Art of Placemaking
John Street in Camden embodies the concept of 'place' as defined by various scholars. The precinct holds significance for the community, influencing their identity and emotional attachment. It possesses the potential for placemaking through elements such as cultural traditions, memorials, and events. Leverage of these elements can enhance community interactions and attachment, enriching residents' lives.
Share this:
Share this:
Airds Shopping Mall demolition, the unmet expectations of mid-century modernism
The Airds shopping mall's future encapsulates the decline of mid-century modernism in the midst of urban neglect. Once a symbol of optimism, the area's decay reflects broader global trends in retail. From failed Radburn principles to public housing challenges, the mall's history mirrors the clash of modernism and neoliberalism in Campbelltown. Despite the despair former residents report that they recall happy memories and stories of hope growing up in the area.
Share this:
Share this:
Volunteer Expo, an exceptional networking event
The Volunteer Expo at Julia Reserve Community Centre, Oran Park, NSW, showcased local community organizations during National Volunteer Week. The event aimed to promote volunteering and featured 36 organizations. The expo provided networking opportunities and highlighted the importance of social capital and storytelling in building community resilience. The Camden Council played a vital role in organizing the successful event.
Share this:
Share this:
Garden Palace, showing the wonders of the age
In 1882, a massive fire at Macquarie Street, Sydney, destroyed the Garden Palace and valuable contents, causing significant loss of records and artefacts. The origin of the fire remains a mystery. The Palace was originally built for the Sydney International Exhibition in 1879.
Share this:
Share this:
The Camden Library Museum, conservation through adaptative reuse
The Camden Library Museum, located at 40 John Street, has a rich history with numerous additions and occupants, including the Camden Council, Library, Fire Brigade, and Red Cross. The building's conservation through adaptation has retained its cultural significance as a heritage place. The former School of Arts and Temperance Hall have also played important roles in the building's evolution.
Share this:
Share this:
Types of Mid-Century Modernist Housing in Camden
This blog post discusses the types mid-century houses of the Camden NSW area that were built as part of the economic growth and development created by the Burragorang coalfields. These houses were built between the Second World War and the early 1970s, have a variety of residential architectural styles are located south of the town centre, in Elderslie and at Narellan.
Share this:
Share this:
Camden Material and Colour Guide, a heritage building guide
Camden Material and Colour Guide In 2023, Camden Council published the Camden Material and Colour Guide. The guide was the initiative of the Camden Council Heritage Advisory Committee. The aim of the guide The Material and Colour Guide aims to provide a handy guide for owners of heritage buildings with practical tips on working with… Continue reading Camden Material and Colour Guide, a heritage building guide
Share this:
Share this:
Memorial plaque to Jennifer Eggins, a founder of local tourism
A local identity Outside John Oxley Cottage, Camden Visitor Information Centre at 46 Camden Valley Way Elderslie, is a memorial plaque with a story to tell of local identity, Jennifer Eggins, and her legacy that still echoes across the district. Jennifer Eggins is one of the founders of the local tourist industry. The plaque was… Continue reading Memorial plaque to Jennifer Eggins, a founder of local tourism
