Art · Attachment to place · Heritage · Historical consciousness · History · Leisure · Local History · Macarthur · Narellan · Narellan Story · Narellan Town Centre · Place · Place making · Placemaking · Public art · Railway · Retail history · Retailing · Sense of place · Storytelling · Sydney's rural-urban fringe · Tourism

Narellan Town Centre Revitalization: a community-centric approach through placemaking

The redevelopment of Narellan Town Centre in 2017 enhanced its community space through placemaking, incorporating public art and amenities. Valued at $200 million, the extension nearly doubled its size, accommodating 100+ retailers and encouraging social interactions. The design reflects local history, fostering cultural identity and community engagement, achieving successful early usage by families.

19th Century · Aesthetics · Art · Artists · Artworks · Camden Story · Community Health · Disease · Health and Medical History · Health History · History · Hope and loss · Medical history · Medical Humanities · Paintings · Public art · Scarlet fever · Sense of place · Social History · Storytelling · The Arts · Trauma

The Role of Scarlet Fever in Literature and Film

Scarlet fever, the disease, historically depicted in literature and film, caused widespread fear and hardship, significantly impacting dairy farming communities. Numerous works illustrate its societal ramifications and personal tragedies. Notable figures who contracted scarlet fever included Thomas Edison and members of the Darwin family. Scarlet fever emerged in Camden in the late 1890s, prompting the establishment of a cottage hospital due to its severe impact on dairy farmers.

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.

Artworks · Belonging · Camden Story · Camden Walking Trails · Cowpasture walking trails · Cowpastures · Cowpastures district · Cowpastures Region · Heritage · History · Indigenous Heritage · Landscape · Landscape aesthetics · Living History · Local History · Nostalgia · Peri-urban region · Place making · Placemaking · Settler Society · Stories · Storytelling · The Cowpasture walking trails · Tourism · Urban development · Urban Planning · Walking trails

Top Walking Trails in Camden: Experience Walking the Cowpastures

Camden township, located in the historical Cow Pastures, features walking and cycling paths that reflect its Indigenous and colonial history. The Nepean River Trail, integrating various public artworks, enhances the area's historic character, while memorial walkways pay tribute to Australian service members. It's a site for both recreation and cultural immersion.

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.

Community identity · Heritage · Historian · Historical consciousness · Historical Research · Historical source · Historical thinking · History · Living History · Place · Place making · Placemaking · Sense of place · Uncategorized

How History Shapes Our Present and Future

History enables us to comprehend the past and influences the future by revealing how past events shape current realities. It provides context, identifies patterns, and highlights cultural influences. Additionally, it inspires critical thinking, informs decision-making, and prompts social justice efforts, reinforcing that the future is shaped by choices made today.

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.

Adaptive Re-use · Adaptive Reuse · Attachment to place · Belonging · Built Heritage · Camden Built Heritage · Cultural Heritage · Engineering Heritage · Heritage · Indigenous Heritage · Narellan Built Heritage · Nostalgia · Place · Place making · Placemaking · Sense of place · Stories · Storytelling

Understanding NSW’s 2025 Draft Heritage Strategy

The NSW Government has unveiled the NSW Heritage Strategy, marking a significant update in over twenty years. Aiming to broaden the understanding of heritage, it includes Aboriginal culture, historic structures, and natural heritage. Public feedback is welcomed until July 13, 2025, to shape the final strategy guiding future heritage policies.

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.