Ben Linden in Narellan is a notable Edwardian cottage representing early twentieth-century Australian architecture. The style emerged after the Federation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, influenced by English Edwardian houses but tailored to suit local conditions. This housing style provides insight into the cultural heritage of Camden and the people who built and lived in these houses.
Category: Urbanism
Elderslie, a suburb on Sydney’s fringe
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
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.
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.
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.
Sydney’s urban sprawl invades the Macarthur region
Urban sprawl has invaded the Macarthur region. It is re-run of the planning policies of the 1970s.
The Camden Fibro Cottage and its connection to mid-century housing styles
The Camden fibro cottage symbolizes the mid-20th century's affordable housing solution, catering to the working class in a post-war Australia. Representing nostalgia and simplicity, these homes were practical yet modern. Although their popularity declined due to issues like poor insulation and asbestos risks, they remain a significant aspect of Camden's architectural heritage.
