Unlock Camden is back in 2024, offering a celebration of the town's history and culture. The event, scheduled for September 28th, will feature a variety of activities, including historical re-enactments, art demonstrations, musical performances, and guided walking tours. The event aims to promote the area's historic locations and heritage.
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Camden Police Station and Residence: A Historical Landmark in Camden
Camden Police Station, a single-storey brick building at 35 John Street, was constructed in 1878 and served the NSW Police Service until 2011. Designed by James Barnet, it features historical architectural elements, including a paved verandah and brick chimneys. Currently vacant, it is recognized for its heritage value within the Camden community.
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Local historian talks at an international conference in Adelaide
Dr Ian Willis OAM challenges myths of WWI in his talk at the 2024 Australian Historical Association conference. He examines the Australian military's response to sick and wounded soldiers and the role of the British Red Cross. The conference aims to uncover home truths and dispel historical myths. Dr Willis's research focuses on the Red Cross's role in soldier recovery.
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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.
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Nancy Phelan’s Reflections on the English Resemblance of Cobbitty, NSW
Australian writer Nancy Phelan's "Some Came Early Some Came Late" (1970) explores the historical significance of the Cobbitty region in New South Wales, focusing on the efforts of early colonial English immigrants to recreate a 'little England'. Phelan's unique perspective, influenced by her own experiences and observations, offers a fresh and captivating view of the region's history, accentuating the deep emotional ties and cultural significance.
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Camden Art Prize, a new exhibition at the Alan Baker Art Gallery celebrates a local institution
The Camden Art Prize was initiated in 1975 as an acquisitive art prize aiming to create a collection. This collection now includes over 200 artworks and has been on display at the Alan Baker Art Gallery. The prize has had many notable judges and dignitaries present at its exhibitions. Some of the winning works are on display in a new exhibition at the gallery.
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Volunteer Expo, an exceptional networking event
The Volunteer Expo at Julia Reserve Community Centre, Oran Park, NSW, showcased local community organizations during National Volunteer Week. The event aimed to promote volunteering and featured 36 organizations. The expo provided networking opportunities and highlighted the importance of social capital and storytelling in building community resilience. The Camden Council played a vital role in organizing the successful event.
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Garden Palace, showing the wonders of the age
In 1882, a massive fire at Macquarie Street, Sydney, destroyed the Garden Palace and valuable contents, causing significant loss of records and artefacts. The origin of the fire remains a mystery. The Palace was originally built for the Sydney International Exhibition in 1879.
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Yearning, Longing and The Remaking of Camden’s Identity: the myths and reality of ‘a country town idyll’.
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.
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Who were the Camden Chinese market gardeners, a new book reveals the story
The book "A History of Camden Chinese Market Gardeners 1899-1993" edited by Ian Willis & Julie Wrigley tells the story of Chinese market gardeners in Camden. They faced challenges such as the White Australia Policy and local ostracism but demonstrated resilience. The book sheds light on their history and is recommended for those interested in local studies and the Chinese diaspora.
