The article explores regional identity in Sydney's Macarthur district, focusing on the communities of Campbelltown, Camden, and Picton. It discusses the strong local attachment to identity, which is challenged by perceptions of western Sydney as a cultural wasteland. Jeff McGill’s criticism of regional labeling sparked significant community response, revealing a conflict over identification and stereotypes. While Macarthur's regionalism reflects urban expansion, it struggles for acceptance amidst historical, cultural, and emotional ties that residents hold with their distinct localities.
Category: Belonging
Interwar Camden, the heritage of a country town
During the interwar period, Camden experienced economic growth driven by dairy and coal industries. The town's population grew by over 35%, making it a vital commercial and administrative center. The Hume Highway and railway brought modern influences, leading to developments such as motor industry, cinemas, and the airfield. Camden has maintained its bucolic charm, but has also experienced urbanization pressure. The town centre has many buildings from the interwar period.
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John Hawdon of Elderslie in a settler society
John Hawdon of Elderslie was part of the story of settler colonialism in New South Wales in the early 19th century.
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The seaside holiday
Seaside holidays on the NSW South Coast has been a popular holiday spot for Camden families. This is the story of seaside holidays in the Wollongong area.
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Viewing the Cowpastures landscape
The early colonists of the Sydney area viewed the landscape from a number of different perspectives according to historian Grace Karskins in her book The Colony a History of Early Sydney (2009) and this also applied to the Cowpastures.
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Sydney’s urban fringe: a transition zone of hope and loss
Sydney’s rural-urban fringe is a site of winners and losers. It is a landscape where dreams are fulfilled and memories are lost. The promises of land developers in master-planned suburban utopias meet the hope and expectations of newcomers.
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Do or Die! Heritage and urban planning in the burbs
There is a loss of Edwardian farming heritage on the urban-rural interface on Sydney’s edge. There is a distinct lack appreciation amongst many contemporaries of simple robust country farm cottages.
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Cowpastures Bicentennial Celebrations 1995, the beginning of a settler society
Local festival In 1995, the Camden community held a 12-month programme of events to celebrate the bicentennial of the naming of the Cow Pastures by Governor Hunter in 1795 and the discovery of 61 head of wild cattle. The discovery of the cattle herd was an important event in the life of the fledgling colony… Continue reading Cowpastures Bicentennial Celebrations 1995, the beginning of a settler society
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Democracy, Place and Local Government
Local politics is a special beast and is particular, local, small fare and accessible. It is parish pump politics at its best.
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Camden Showgirl, an enduring pageant
Miss Showgirl, an enduring anachronism at a rural festival that brings the community together and celebrates the areas rural heritage and agriculture
