This article discusses the concept of a "country town idyll" in Camden, an idealised version of a country town from an imagined past that uses history to construct imagery based on Camden's heritage buildings and other material fabrics. The paper delves into the origins of the idyll, examines its development, and investigates its validity in its contemporary context. It shows how its supporters have used history as a community asset to remake Camden's identity and explore how the 'country town idyll' has been used variously as a political weapon, a marketing tool, and a tourist promotion.
Category: Camden Museum
Community Partnerships: Are they all that they are cracked up to be?
In 2007, Peter Scrivener reported on the community partnership between the Camden Historical Society and Camden Council, highlighting the amicable relationship and its intended outcomes. This serves as the basis for scholarly work on community partnerships. The partners' mutual benefits, clear objectives, and common goals have made the partnership successful. Informal and formal linkages and evaluations ensure its continued success.
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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.
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Camden Teamsters Memorial, when the horse was king on the Yerranderie Road
Tribute to mining and industrial heritage If you wander along the John Street heritage precinct, you will come across a quaint monument with a large wagon wheel reminding you of when the horse was king on the Yerranderie Road. The Camden Teamster's Memorial is on John Street, Camden. The memorial is between Macaria, a… Continue reading Camden Teamsters Memorial, when the horse was king on the Yerranderie Road
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Camden Library and Museum public art
Collaborative efforts The 2007 Camden Library and Camden Museum redevelopment project resulted in a community collaboration to create a mix of public artworks. The collaboration process was led by Camden Council Cultural Development Coordinator Angela Pasqua. Participants included school children, TAFE students, artists and sculptors. The artworks were commissioned by Camden Council.. The efforts have… Continue reading Camden Library and Museum public art
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Voluntary labour worth thousands of dollars to the Camden Museum
Small museums contribute a considerable amount of value to the economy through unpaid voluntary labour. According to the latest research, the value of unpaid voluntary labour to the Camden Museum is worth around A$580,000 a year. The Camden Museum and the Camden Historical Society are completely run by volunteers. They are some of many voluntary community organisations in the local area.
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Unlock Camden 2023, a festival celebrating our past
Unlock Camden is a history festival that celebrates the Camden story through walks, art, images, stories, and a host of other activities. Events are centred in historic the John Street precinct around the Alan Baker Art Gallery Macaria.
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Camden, a Macarthur family venture
The establishment of Camden, New South Wales, the town in 1840, was a private venture of James and William Macarthur, sons of colonial patriarch John Macarthur, at the Nepean River crossing on the northern edge of the family’s pastoral property of Camden Park. The town’s site was enclosed on three sides by a sweeping bend in the Nepean River and has regularly flooded the surrounding farmland and lower parts of the town.
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Political propaganda in 1932
The Starvation Debenture produced by the United Country Party is an example of political advertising from the 1932 New South Wales election.
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Camden Bibliography, a guide to the story of a country town
This is a list of references for the story of Camden and District. It includes newspapers, books, articles, theses and audio-visual sources.
