In mid-1905, a private wedding took place at Camden Park between 82-year-old Ebenezer Vickery and 52-year-old Deborah Louise Ellis, a teacher and charity worker. Despite gossip in The Bulletin magazine, which wrongfully described Ellis's age and referred to her as Vickery's 'typewriter,' the wedding was attended by notable figureheads. Vickery, known for his wealth and philanthropy, held positions in various corporations and was involved in mining ventures. Ellis, active in philanthropic circles, played a role in social issues. Their marriage highlighted a complex interplay of privacy, power, and community, reflecting societal attitudes of the era.
Category: Camden Park House and Garden
Understanding the Camden Story: History, Community, and Identity
The Camden story encapsulates the rich tapestry of tales and histories that define the Camden community, including dreamtime legends and settler accounts. It offers insight into the community's values, identity, and resilience, serving as both a historical narrative and a tool for local businesses, fostering deeper connections among residents.
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Canberra’s Macarthur Garden: a tribute to Australia’s wool pioneers and their contribution to the foundation of the nation
The Macarthur Rose Garden in Canberra commemorates John and Elizabeth Macarthur's pivotal role in Australia's fine wool industry. Donated by their great-granddaughter, Sibella Macarthur Onslow, the garden features roses symbolizing hope and gratitude. Established from 1937-1938, it reflects the connection between the Macarthurs and Australia’s early nationalism.
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Explore Belgenny Farm: A Journey Through Time 2024
The 2024 Back to Belgenny festival showcased living history at Belgenny Farm, featuring reenactments, traditional trades, and various activities such as sheepdog trials and guided tours. The event included a demonstration by Governor Macquarie’s regiment and highlighted the farm's historical significance, providing visitors with an immersive glimpse into colonial agricultural life.
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Australia Day 1915 in Camden: Record-breaking Wartime Fundraiser
In mid-1915, the Camden Patriotic Fund took over fundraising for the first Australia Day appeal directing proceeds to the Red Cross for Australian wounded. The patriotic fund raised a substantial amount of money through various events. Meanwhile, on a national scale, the significance of the first Australia Day evolved from an idea initiated by Mrs. Elle Warton-Kirke of Manly NSW to an important Red Cross day. In Camden, the 1915 Australia Day activities were a significant wartime fundraiser, demonstrating the community's support for the war effort.
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Agave on Cawdor Road, a part of local folklore
The agave plants near Cawdor Road, Camden, have become part of local folklore, with stories spanning murder, historical colonial gardens, and Indigenous conflict. These slow-growing succulents have sparked controversy and conjecture, with their true history and significance remaining a mystery. Despite attempts to uncover the truth, the agave's legend endures across generations.
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Traditional trades, the legacy of Camden’s carpenters
Carpentry, vital in Camden for centuries, began with Aboriginal bush carpentry using local materials for survival. European settlers adopted this craft, creating simple structures and relying on ingenuity. Formal carpentry evolved with guilds and apprenticeships, maintaining traditional techniques and tools, shaping Camden's architectural landscape with lasting quality.
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Motherhood and nation-building in the early 20th century
Around the turn of the century a direct link was made between infant welfare, motherhood, patriotism and nationalism. Motherhood and mothering were expressed in terms of patriotism and a national priority. All driven by European exceptionalism.
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Bottled milk and hygienic dairies: agricultural modernism
Camden Vale Milk was produced by the dairies of Camden Park Estate. It was promoted as ‘Free from Tubercule, Typhoid and Diphtheria Bacilli’. Camden Vale promised that its milk was ‘rich, clean’ and ‘safe’ in an advertisement for the 1931 Health and Baby Welfare Week.
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Formidable women from the past
Formidable women from the past in the country town of Camden NSW
