The sale of church land has sparked community angst, particularly at St. Paul's Anglican Church in Bankstown. The proposed heritage listing has led to concerns about redevelopment and closure. Similar issues have arisen in Tasmania, where the sale of local churches has evoked strong emotional and historical attachments. The opposing views between churchgoers and non-churchgoers present an unresolved ethical dilemma.
Category: Memory
History of Camden Chinese Market Gardeners: Resilience, Innovation, and Struggles
The presentation at Camden Rotary Club details the significant contributions and challenges faced by Chinese market gardeners in Camden. It sheds light on their resilience, innovation, discrimination, and impact on the local economy. The book "A History of Camden Chinese Market Gardeners 1899-1993" emphasizes their agency, making an important contribution to local history and the literature of the Chinese diaspora in Australia.
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Ministering Angels, Myth and the Red Cross on the Australian Wartime Homefront
The paper presented at the 33rd Annual Conference of the Australian Historical Association at the University of Queensland in 2014 explored the role of Australian country women in supporting the Red Cross during the First World War. The paper focused on the Camden District Red Cross, emphasizing the conservative women’s empowerment in embracing the Red Cross, serving as ministering angels, and upholding patriotic values. Total words: 78
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‘Guardian Angels’, the Red Cross on the wartime homefront
During the First World War, Australian women independently joined the Red Cross to support the war effort. The Red Cross provided a space for women to express agency and contribute to the war through practical activities and fundraising. The organization's local branches established a sense of community and played a significant role in the homefront war effort.
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Burragorang Coalfields: From Prosperity to Closure
The Burragorang Valley's coal mining history spans from the early 1800s to the closure of the last operational mine in 2000. The community relied on coal for jobs, but the inevitable end affected the region. International mining companies became involved, and the introduction of electricity transformed mining processes. Many mines opened and closed throughout the years, leaving a rich and complex history documented in various sources.
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Camden Trainee Teachers Camp 1924: Unveiling a Mysterious Journey
In 1924, a group of trainee teachers from Sydney Teachers College visited Camden for practical training, sparking local curiosity. This visit was part of a tradition that began in 1921, providing hands-on experience in local schools. The program's success was notable, drawing attention from education authorities and the media, and leaving a lasting impact on the community.
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Camden Rose Festival 1968: history and festivities
The Camden Rose Festival, founded by JW Hill, celebrated the 1960s' prosperity and optimism. The festival included a street parade, wheelbarrow derby, art exhibition, and a masked ball. The event attracted significant community participation and raised funds for Camden District Hospital. The festival reflected the spirit of the post-war years and local community engagement.
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Exploring Camden’s Railway Heritage: Pansy and Its Timeless Stories
The Camden branch line, with its famous locomotive Pansy, holds a special place in the memories of locals and visitors. Operating from 1882 to 1963, it served as a lifeline for the community, transporting goods, passengers, and even wartime heroes. Despite its eventual closure, remnants of the line can still be seen today.
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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.
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Narellan ‘Gayline’ Drive-In Movie Theatre, a touch of modernism
The Narellan Gayline Drive-In Movie Theatre in Camden was a defining feature of the local 1960s-1980s culture, offering a relaxed, family-friendly movie experience. The drive-in's success peaked in the early 1970s but eventually closed in 1990 due to changing lifestyles and real estate development. It provided a memorable experience for many local residents, offering a nostalgic look back at a bygone era.
