John Hawdon's letters from New South Wales (1831-1833) reveal colonial life, highlighting farming challenges, isolation from England, and the high costs of communication. These letters provide insights into market conditions, crop successes, and family updates, showcasing the Hawdons' experiences and adaptations in a new land, while retaining original spelling and structure.
Tag: Colonial Camden
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.
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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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Traditional trades, the legacy of Camden’s carpenters
Carpentry, vital in Camden for centuries, began with Aboriginal bush carpentry using local materials for survival. European settlers adopted this craft, creating simple structures and relying on ingenuity. Formal carpentry evolved with guilds and apprenticeships, maintaining traditional techniques and tools, shaping Camden's architectural landscape with lasting quality.
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Camden Heritage Conservation Area – an English-style village in the Cowpastures
The Macarthur private village of Camden was located in the English style countryside of the Cowpastures countryside with its gentry estates and villages. Founded in 1840 it was all part the British imperial imperative and the settler colonial project that came with it.
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John Oxley’s anchor lost for 34 years
New evidence has emerged challenging previous conclusions about the John Oxley Memorial anchor in Camden. The anchor, a memorial from the British naval authorities, was lost for 34 years before being relocated for public access. John Oxley, an important colonial figure, has multiple commemorations in New South Wales related to his historical significance.
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Charles Tompson, a colonial diarist of the Cowpastures
A colonial diarist of the Cowpastures, Charles Tompson.
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St John’s Church, a contested sacred site in the historic landscape of the Cowpastures
A contested sacred site in the historic landscape of the Cowpastures. St John's Church wants to sell a former horse paddock to fund a new worship centre against community opposition.
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Celebrity author at Camden Museum
Author Michelle Scott Tucker recently spoke at the Camden Museum about her new book Elizabeth Macarthur A Life at the Edge of the World
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Governor Macquarie’s visit to the Cowpasture 1810
In November 1810, Governor Lachlan Macquarie (1762-1824) and Mrs Elizabeth Macquarie visited the Cowpastures. On that occasion, the Governor and Elizabeth Macarthur met the Dharawal people.
