A history of continuity and change Elderslie is a suburb of Camden, the traditional land of the Dharawal people. It lies on the southern end of the Camden Municipality, 62 km southwest of Sydney, on the rural-urban fringe. Elderslie borders the Nepean River to the west, Narellan Creek to the north, Camden By-Pass to the… Continue reading Elderslie, a suburb on Sydney’s fringe
Category: Place making
Westies, Bogans and Yobbos. What’s in a name?
The article explores regional identity in Sydney's Macarthur district, focusing on the communities of Campbelltown, Camden, and Picton. It discusses the strong local attachment to identity, which is challenged by perceptions of western Sydney as a cultural wasteland. Jeff McGill’s criticism of regional labeling sparked significant community response, revealing a conflict over identification and stereotypes. While Macarthur's regionalism reflects urban expansion, it struggles for acceptance amidst historical, cultural, and emotional ties that residents hold with their distinct localities.
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Interwar Camden, the heritage of a country town
During the interwar period, Camden experienced economic growth driven by dairy and coal industries. The town's population grew by over 35%, making it a vital commercial and administrative center. The Hume Highway and railway brought modern influences, leading to developments such as motor industry, cinemas, and the airfield. Camden has maintained its bucolic charm, but has also experienced urbanization pressure. The town centre has many buildings from the interwar period.
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Camden Cafes and Milk Bars
Cafes and Milk Bars were a vibrant part of the retail precinct of any country town in Australia
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The army in camp at Narellan in WW2
The Narellan Military Camp was an important part of the story of wartime Camden during the Second World War.
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Being a Historical Detective
There are a number of steps involved in being a historical detective and conducting an investigation (historical research).
John Hawdon of Elderslie in a settler society
John Hawdon of Elderslie was part of the story of settler colonialism in New South Wales in the early 19th century.
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Viewing the Cowpastures landscape
The early colonists of the Sydney area viewed the landscape from a number of different perspectives according to historian Grace Karskins in her book The Colony a History of Early Sydney (2009) and this also applied to the Cowpastures.
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Pictorial History of Camden and District
The history of the Camden District is told in a recent publication that has been recently been republished by Kingsclear Books. Pictorial History of Camden & District.
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Sydney’s urban fringe: a transition zone of hope and loss
Sydney’s rural-urban fringe is a site of winners and losers. It is a landscape where dreams are fulfilled and memories are lost. The promises of land developers in master-planned suburban utopias meet the hope and expectations of newcomers.
