Architectural History · Architecture · Australian History · Bricklaying · Built heritag · Built Heritage · Carpentry · Colonial Architecture · Conservation · Design · Handcraft · Heritage · Living History · Lost trades · Place making · Placemaking · Sense of place · Stonemasonary · Traditional Trades · Volunteering

Addressing Australia’s Heritage Skills Crisis

The Australian Garden History article by Yolanda Cool discusses a crisis in heritage skills training in Australia, highlighting a lack of formal education and accreditation for tradespeople. The Heritage Skills Association emphasizes the urgent need for skilled workers to preserve heritage properties, advocating for solutions and initiatives to address this ongoing shortage. The article explores how the shortage of traditional trades skills in not new in Australia.

Belonging · Camden Story · Community · Community building · Community celebrations · Community Engagement · Community Health · Community identity · Community organisations · Community work · Cultural and Heritage Tourism · Cultural Heritage · Economy · Historical consciousness · Historical Research · Historical source · Historical thinking · Historiography · History · History Festival · Living History · Local History · Local Studies · Memorials · Memory · Monuments · Place · Place making · Placemaking · Stereotypes · Stories · Storytelling · Uncategorized · Women's stories

Exploring Community History: Benefits and Applications

Community history focuses on the stories and experiences of specific groups, emphasizing local and social history often overlooked in traditional research. It fosters empowerment, engages community members, preserves unique cultural heritage, and creates a deeper connection to place, ultimately enhancing social cohesion and supporting informed decision-making for future generations.

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.

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.

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.

Camden · Camden Council · Camden Council Library · Camden Festivals · Camden Historical Society · Camden History Journal · Camden John Street Precinct · Camden Library · Camden Museum · Camden Story · Heritage · Historian · Historical consciousness · Historical Research · Historical thinking · History · Local History · Stories · Storytelling · Uncategorized

Camden Historical Society’s Strategic Plan Draft Unveiled

The Camden Historical Society is developing a strategic plan for 2025-2030, focusing on governance, programming, and collection management at the Camden Museum. With 113 members and 50 active volunteers contributing significantly to local heritage, the society aims to enhance the community's knowledge and appreciation of Camden's history.

1930s · Aesthetics · Agricultural heritage · Agriculture history · British Heritage · Camden Park Estate · Camden Park House and Garden · Camden Story · Canberra · Colonial garden · Commemoration · Cowpastures Gentry · Elizabeth Farm · Elizabeth Macarthur · Garden history · Gardening · Gender · Heritage · History · History of wool industry · Johm Macarthur · Landscape aesthetics · Living History · Macarthur family · Memorial · Memorialisation · Memorials · Memory · Nationalism · Philanthropy · Roses · Sibella Macarthur Onslow · Social History · Uncategorized · Volunteering · Volunteerism · Women's history · Women's stories

Canberra’s Macarthur Garden: a tribute to Australia’s wool pioneers and their contribution to the foundation of the nation

The Macarthur Rose Garden in Canberra commemorates John and Elizabeth Macarthur's pivotal role in Australia's fine wool industry. Donated by their great-granddaughter, Sibella Macarthur Onslow, the garden features roses symbolizing hope and gratitude. Established from 1937-1938, it reflects the connection between the Macarthurs and Australia’s early nationalism.

Agency · Alan Baker Art Gallery Camden NSW · Architectural History · Architecture · Art · Artists · Artworks · Belonging · Built heritag · Built Heritage · Camden Built Heritage · Camden Story · Crafts · Lifestyle · Local Studies · Macaria · Place · Place making · Placemaking · Public art · Social History · Storytelling · Street Art · The Arts · Women's agency · Women's history · Women's Writing

Sarah Ashcroft: Art as a Journey of Healing

The Camden area boasts a vibrant art culture, featuring public art and local artists like Sarah Ashcroft. After retiring from the NSW Police Force due to PTSD, Sarah found solace in drawing, particularly architectural pieces. She aims to preserve local history through her art while promoting awareness about mental health and creativity.