Community identity · Heritage · Historian · Historical consciousness · Historical Research · Historical source · Historical thinking · History · Living History · Place · Place making · Placemaking · Sense of place · Uncategorized

How History Shapes Our Present and Future

History enables us to comprehend the past and influences the future by revealing how past events shape current realities. It provides context, identifies patterns, and highlights cultural influences. Additionally, it inspires critical thinking, informs decision-making, and prompts social justice efforts, reinforcing that the future is shaped by choices made today.

Agricultural heritage · Agriculture · Agriculture history · Australian History · Belonging · Camden Story · Chinese Market Gardeners · Community work · Cultural Heritage · History · Local History · Local Studies · Place · Place making · Placemaking · Settler colonialism · Settler Society · Social History · Stories · Storytelling · Uncategorized

Community Recognition Morning Tea for Camden Recipients at NSW Parliament

The NSW Parliament allows Members to submit Community Recognition Statements acknowledging community achievements, charity work, and other contributions since 2017. On May 28, 2025, Mrs. Sally Quinnell MP hosted a morning tea to honor Camden recipients, including Dr. Ian Willis, joint-author of 'A History of Camden Chinese Market Gardeners 1899-1993' published by the Camden Historical Society.

Agricultural heritage · Agriculture · Agriculture history · Artists · Belgenny Farm · Camden Park Estate · Camden Story · Colonial Camden · Cultural and Heritage Tourism · Dairying · Farming · Farming history · Heritage Walking Tours · History · History Festival · Leisure · Living History · Local History · Macarthur · Macarthur family · Place making · Placemaking · Sense of place · Settler colonialism · Settler Society · Social History · Stories · Storytelling

Explore History with Friends of Belgenny Farm Events

On a cloudy day in late May 2025, the Friends of Belgenny Farm held an open day attracting over 285 visitors interested in early Australian history. The event featured various stalls, historical displays, and guided tours of the historic site, which holds national significance and showcases Australia's earliest colonial farm buildings.

Adaptive Re-use · Adaptive Reuse · Attachment to place · Belonging · Built Heritage · Camden Built Heritage · Cultural Heritage · Engineering Heritage · Heritage · Indigenous Heritage · Narellan Built Heritage · Nostalgia · Place · Place making · Placemaking · Sense of place · Stories · Storytelling

Understanding NSW’s 2025 Draft Heritage Strategy

The NSW Government has unveiled the NSW Heritage Strategy, marking a significant update in over twenty years. Aiming to broaden the understanding of heritage, it includes Aboriginal culture, historic structures, and natural heritage. Public feedback is welcomed until July 13, 2025, to shape the final strategy guiding future heritage policies.

19th Century · 20th century · Architectural History · Architecture · Camden Story · Colonial Camden · Elderslie · Hilsyde Elderslie · History · History of a building · History of a house · House history · Housing · Housing styles · Local History · Place making · Placemaking · Sense of place · Stories · Storytelling · Uncategorized · Urban history · Victorian

Exploring Hilsyde: A Look at Elderslie’s Historic Home

Hilsyde, originally known as Pammenter, is a Victorian single-storey brick residence built in 1888 by WC Furner in Elderslie. The property features a galvanised iron roof, bay windows, and retains good integrity. It served as Hilsyde Lodge from 1978 to 2003, catering to Christian women workers, and is heritage-listed.

Attachment to place · Camden Story · Community · Community building · Community identity · Gledswood Hills · Gregory Hills · Hope and loss · House history · Housing · Housing styles · Lifestyle · Local History · Local Studies · Lost Camden · Lost Campbelltown · Mount Annan · Narellan · Oran Park · Place making · Placemaking · Sense of place · Social History · Spring Farm · Stories · Storytelling · Uncategorized · Urban development · Urban growth · Urban history · Urban Planning · urban sprawl · Urbanism

Navigating Australia’s Housing Crisis: Insights from Sydney’s Urban Fringe

The complexities of addressing Australia's housing challenges, suggests an article from ABC News, on Sydney's urban fringes are not as simple as they might seem. While author Ian Willis explores how the growing population has created demand for housing, the reality often falls short of expectations. Many new residents, he writes, are drawn by promises of suburbia, face disillusionment due to inadequate infrastructure, high density, and unresolved issues like traffic congestion and housing quality. Willis argues that the ongoing crises reflect a disconnect between development aspirations and lived experiences, suggesting the need for improved planning and understanding of community needs.

Agricultural heritage · Architecture · Argyle Street · Australian History · Camden Festivals · Camden Story · Cultural and Heritage Tourism · Cultural Heritage · Cultural icon · Entertainment · Heritage · Heritage Walking Tours · Historian · Historical consciousness · Historical Research · Historical source · Historical thinking · History · History Festival · History of a building · History of a house · Living History · Local History · Local Studies · Place · Place making · Placemaking · Sense of place · Stories · Storytelling · Tourism · Uncategorized

Exploring Your Hometown: Hidden Gems Await

Exploring your hometown can reveal hidden wonders and local history often overlooked. Resources like libraries and historical societies offer insights into the past, while nature provides adventurous experiences. Engaging with local culture, festivals, and unique culinary offerings can enhance your appreciation of familiar surroundings. Stay curious and discover the extraordinary in the ordinary.

20th century · Built Heritage · Camden Hospital · Health and Medical History · Health History · Heritage · Historian · History · Local History · Medical history · Place · Place making · Placemaking · Stories · Storytelling · Urban growth · Urban history

Camden’s First Hospital: A Historical Insight

Camden historian Dr. Ian Willis will present a paper on the origins of Camden Cottage Hospital at the 2025 Australian Historical Association Annual Conference. His paper, focusing on the hospital's role in rural health from 1899-1902, highlights community resilience and offers insights into local history and heritage in New South Wales.

Agricultural heritage · Agriculture · Agriculture history · Art · Artefacts · Attachment to place · Belonging · Camden Festivals · Camden Show · Camden Story · Community · Community identity · Community organisations · Community work · Country Women's Association · Craft · Crafts · Cultural and Heritage Tourism · Cultural Heritage · CWA · Emergency Services · Entertainment · Farming · Farming history · Festivals · First Responders · Garden history · History · Horticulture · Local History · Local Studies · Macarthur region · Nostalgia · Onslow Park · Pageant · Pioneers · Place · Place making · Placemaking · Recreation · Ruralism · Social History · Stories · Storytelling · Theme Parks · Transport · transport history · Travel · Travellers · Uncategorized · Volunteering · Volunteerism

2025 Camden Show: A Photographic Journey

The photographic essay captures the vibrant atmosphere of the 2025 Camden Show, showcasing various activities, displays, and exhibitions. Highlights include the Woolworths produce pavilion, enthusiastic attendance from parents at performances, and contributions from local services like the Rural Fire Service, NSW Fire Brigade, and police, enriching the community experience.

Adaptive Re-use · Adaptive Reuse · Built Heritage · Business · Business History · Cafes · Community identity · Cultural Heritage · Economy · Film · Film Making · History of a building · Industrial Heritage · Local History · Macarthur · Macarthur region · Picton · Picton Corbett Hardware · Picton Menangle Street · Picton Retail · Picton The Celebration Society · Place · Place making · Placemaking · Sense of place · Shopping · Storytelling · Streetscapes · Uncategorized · Urban growth · Urban history · Urban Planning

The Celebration Society: Revitalizing Picton’s Retail Scene Through Adaptive Re-use

The Celebration Society opened in 2024 in the former Corbett hardware store, revitalizing Picton's retail scene. Owners Deborah and Michael Quinn, along with business partners, preserved the building’s historic integrity. The venue includes a café and space for events, enhancing community engagement and contributing to the area's renewal.