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.
Tag: History
Camden Live & Local 2018: Eclectic Music Festival Across Camden’s Venues
The 2018 Live and Local Camden music festival showcased over 50 musicians across 15 eclectic venues. The festival's growth included jazz ensembles, young talents, and accomplished musicians, creating a diverse and immersive experience for attendees. This cultural event contributed to the development of an arts precinct and celebrated the significance of live music in community storytelling and place-making.
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Airds Shopping Mall demolition, the unmet expectations of mid-century modernism
The Airds shopping mall's future encapsulates the decline of mid-century modernism in the midst of urban neglect. Once a symbol of optimism, the area's decay reflects broader global trends in retail. From failed Radburn principles to public housing challenges, the mall's history mirrors the clash of modernism and neoliberalism in Campbelltown. Despite the despair former residents report that they recall happy memories and stories of hope growing up in the area.
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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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Camden, the making and re-making of familiar places
This presentation at the WEA-RAHS Seminar Series on 28 October 2009 at History House, Sydney, explores the conflict between urban expansion and the desire to preserve Camden's identity as a country town. It delves into the tension between nostalgic ideals and the reality of modern development in the area.
