20th century · Aesthetics · Architecture · Built heritag · Camden Modern · Camden Modernism · Collective Memory · Community identity · Cultural Heritage · Domestic Architecture · Elderslie · Heritage · History · History of a house · Housing · Local History · Local Studies · Memory · Mid-century modernism · Modernism · Place making · Sense of place · Storytelling · Urban development · Urban growth · Urban Planning · Urbanism

Exploring Lost Camden, The Legacy of The Hennings House

The Hennings House, a mid-century modern ranch-style residence built in 1960, was a prominent part of Elderslie's architectural landscape until its demolition in 2011 for a preschool. Known for its distinctive features and design, the house highlighted the cultural significance of post-World War II domestic architecture in Camden.

Advertising · Agency · Consumption · Cultural icon · Emotion · Entertainment · Historian · Historical consciousness · History · Living History · Macarthur · Macarthur region · Marketing · Memory · Metaphor · Stereotypes · Stories · Storytelling · Urbanism · USA

Historian writes about McWings: storytelling as effective marketing.

The McDonald's McWings campaign creatively utilizes historians as storytellers to establish authenticity and emotional connections with consumers. By intertwining historical references and narratives, McDonald's aims to engage audiences while reinforcing its marketing strategy, showcasing its historical impact on the food industry and its cultural significance in regions like Macarthur.

20th century · Aesthetics · Art · Artworks · Belonging · Community · Community celebrations · Community Engagement · Community identity · Cricket · Cultural and Heritage Tourism · Cultural Heritage · Cultural icon · Design · Festivals · Football · GLAM Sector · Heritage · Lifestyle · Living History · Lost Sydney · Melbourne · Modernism · Music history · Nationalism · Paintings · Place · Place making · Placemaking · Sense of place · Social History · Sporting History · Storytelling · Sydney · Sydney Harbour Bridge · Symbolism · Theatre · Tourism · Travel · Uncategorized · Urban history · Urbanism

Sydney’s Cultural Identity: A City of Contradictions

Sydney presents a striking contrast between its stunning harbour and perceived lack of cultural depth. Critics argue the city is a "cultural wasteland," with isolated artistic venues and a fragmented entertainment scene, unlike the vibrant precincts found in Melbourne, London and New York. Sydney's cultural identity partly emerges from its diverse tribes and subcultures that are found in the depths of the suburbs.

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.

Architectural History · Architecture · Argyle Street · Attachment to place · Camden · Camden Built Heritage · Camden Council · Camden Country Town Idyll · Camden Story · Community · Community identity · Country town · Country town idyll · Cultural and Heritage Tourism · Cultural Heritage · Heritage · Living History · Local History · Local Studies · Place · Place making · Placemaking · Sense of place · Social History · Tourism · Town planning · Urban development · Urban growth · Urban history · Urban Planning · Urbanism · Village

Camden Council vote on listing the Camden Township on the State Heritage Register

On 11 March 2025, Camden Council discussed a motion by Councillor Peter McLean to list Camden Township on the State Heritage Register, citing its significant historical and cultural value. Despite support from the Camden Historical Society and several councillors, the motion was ultimately defeated in a 6-3 vote, with concerns raised about its impact on businesses.

Aesthetics · Art · Artists · Artworks · Belonging · Camden Council · Camden Story · Community identity · Cultural and Heritage Tourism · Design · Heritage · Landscape · Lifestyle · Local Studies · Oran Park · Oran Park Leisure Centre · Oran Park Library · Place · Place making · Placemaking · Public art · Sculpture · Sense of place · Stories · Storytelling · Uncategorized · Urbanism

Exploring Greg Johns’s public art installation outside the Oran Park Leisure Centre

At the front of the Oran Park Leisure Centre is Greg Johns' art installation, Vortex Mandala, which was inaugurated on 21 October 2024. This public artwork reflects swirling patterns symbolizing energy flow and consciousness. Johns, influenced by the Adelaide Hills, aims to create significant public sculptures that engage viewers and enhance the local environment.

Aesthetics · Architecture · Attachment to place · Australian History · Built heritag · Built Heritage · Camden Built Heritage · Camden Modernism · Camden Story · Community identity · Country town · Cultural Heritage · Domestic Architecture · Elderslie · Heritage · History of a building · History of a house · Hope and loss · House history · Housing · Housing styles · Landscape · Landscape aesthetics · Living History · Lost Camden · Mid-century modernism · Modernism · Narellan · Nostalgia · Place making · Placemaking · Small town · Stories · Storytelling · Uncategorized · Urban development · Urban growth · Urban history · Urban Planning · Urbanism

A Journey Through Camden’s Mid-Century Housing Architecture

Camden's mid-century housing, developed between the 1940s and 1970s, reflects a worldwide modernism movement. Characterized by simple lines and open spaces, these homes arose amid urban growth linked to the new jobs created by the Burragorang coalfields. Unfortunately, many of these historic structures are disappearing, necessitating greater recognition and appreciation of their significance.

19th Century · 20th century · Aesthetics · Art · Artists · Artworks · Attachment to place · Burragorang Valley · Business History · Camden District · Commemoration · Cultural Heritage · Engineering Heritage · Engineering History · Local History · Local Studies · Memorials · Memory · Mining · Mining History · Monuments · Oran Park · Oran Park Raceway · Place making · Placemaking · Public art · Sense of place · Stories · Storytelling · Teamsters · Town planning · Transport · transport history · Uncategorized · Urban development · Urban growth · Urban history · Urban Planning · urban sprawl · Urbanism

Exploring the ‘Infinity Tracks’ Art Installation in Oran Park

The 'Infinity Tracks' art installation in Oran Park honors the region's heavy haulage industry, highlighting the historical impact of the transport industry and Oran Park Town urban development. Commissioned in 2020 by Greenfields Development Co and TRN House, it enhances the forecourt's aesthetic while reflecting the area's economic growth and employment contributions from the haulage sector and urban development.

Adaptive Re-use · Adaptive Reuse · Built heritag · Built Heritage · Camden · Camden Police Barracks · Camden Story · Community · Cultural Heritage · Cultural icon · Heritage · History · History of a building · Policing · Stories · Storytelling · Urban development · Urbanism

Future of the former Camden police barracks: community concerns

The former Camden police barracks, now vacant since 2011, represents a risk of neglect and disrepair. The Tharawal Local Aboriginal Land Council, which acquired the site in 2020, has yet to disclose plans for its future use. The community seeks clarity on whether the building will be utilized or sold.

Active citizenship · Attachment to place · Camden · Camden Council · Camden Mayor · Camden Story · Camden Town Centre · Community identity · Community organisations · Community work · Cultural Heritage · Living History · Local History · Local newspapers · Local Studies · Newspapers · Place making · Roads · Sense of place · Stories · Storytelling · Town planning · Trust · Urban development · Urban growth · Urban Planning · Urbanism

Camden Town Centre Enhancement Strategy: Stakeholder Concerns and Community Engagement

The 2014 Camden Town Centre Enhancement Strategy has faced controversy and distrust from residents and stakeholders, leading to a significant trust deficit. The proposed decked car park and lack of early and robust community engagement have fueled skepticism and discontent. Community consultation principles and the mayor's defense of the process are under scrutiny. Stakeholder concerns about legitimacy align with international practices.