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: Landscape
The art of embroidery with Menangle artist Elaine Balla
Menangle embroidery artist Elaine Balla has created many highly skilled embroidery works that have been exhibited at the Camden Show and the Campbelltown Arts Centre. This blog post adds to the literature outline the story of women's role in the history of arts and crafts through embroidery and its role in the history of women's agency and storytelling.
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‘The Tree of Life’, public art at Camden Council Administration Offices
The art installation The Tree of Life by sculptors Gillies & Marc celebrates the endangered Camden White Gum. The sculpture is located adjacent to the entry of the Camden Council administration building at Oran Park. The work was commissioned by the council in 2016 for the opening of the new office building.
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Botanic gardens herbarium at Mount Annan wins top architecture award
The National Herbarium of NSW at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan has been awarded the AILA 2023 NSW AILA Awards in the Health and Education Category.
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Camden pepper trees, a remnant of the past
In the 1890s, Camden Municipal Council started beautifying the town area by planting various trees, including peppercorns. These cultural plantings defined the local urban landscape for decades, yet only a handful remain today.
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The Cowpastures Bicentennial, Governor Hunter and the Appin Massacre: the memory of the Cowpastures
I often wondered why the cultural material representative of the Cowpastures appeared to have been 'forgotten' by our community. The list of cultural items is quite an extensive include: roads and bridges, parks and reserves; historic sites, books, paintings, articles; conferences, seminars, and workshops; monuments, memorials and murals; community commemorations, celebrations and anniversaries.
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Flooding in the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Valley
The latest heavy rain in the area has sparked concerns about potential flooding, bringing back memories of past events. The Hawkesbury-Nepean River valley's unique landform features contribute to fast-rising and dangerous floods. This situation has led to considerable anxiety and trauma, prompting the need for emotional and trauma support in the affected communities.
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Rachel, a great yarn of the bush from colonial New South Wales
Jeff McGill's Rachel is a ripping yarn about the colonial frontier and the role of women in colonial New South Wales.
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The Cowpastures’ English-styled-gentry and their private villages
A certain type of self-styled-English gentry created a landscape in their own vision in the Cowpastures.
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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.
