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.
Tag: Tourism
Memorial plaque to Jennifer Eggins, a founder of local tourism
A local identity Outside John Oxley Cottage, Camden Visitor Information Centre at 46 Camden Valley Way Elderslie, is a memorial plaque with a story to tell of local identity, Jennifer Eggins, and her legacy that still echoes across the district. Jennifer Eggins is one of the founders of the local tourist industry. The plaque was… Continue reading Memorial plaque to Jennifer Eggins, a founder of local tourism
Explore Narellan’s History: Heritage Walking Tour and Historic Sites
The Narellan Heritage Walking Tour, curated by local photographers Kylie and Peter Lyons, provides a fascinating exploration of the historical and architectural legacy of Narellan. This tour offers insights into the original villages predating Camden's establishment in 1840, featuring notable sites like The Old St Thomas Chapel and the Narellan Public School.
Botanic gardens herbarium at Mount Annan wins top architecture award
The National Herbarium of NSW at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan has been awarded the AILA 2023 NSW AILA Awards in the Health and Education Category.
Making Camden History
Making Camden History tells the story of how the history of the Camden District has been written from the 19th century. It is the history of the history of the local area.
Local girls go to London
In the mid-20th century it was not unusual for local Camden women to travel overseas by ship. They were part of an exodus seeking adventure and new horizons. They wanted to see the world and they did. The story of one of these young women, Shirley Dunk and her best friend Beth Jackman, has been told in a recently published article in Anglica by the University of Warsaw.
Macarthur Bridge
The Macarthur Bridge across the Nepean River at Camden NSW is an important engineering heritage item.
Crazy Colourful Koalas on the Prowl
Prowling around The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan are a group of Hello Koalas visiting from Port Macquarie. These cute sculptures are attracting a lot of attention from Mums, Dads, Grandparents and children. These folk are enchanted by the visiting koala who return to Port Macquarie at the end of April.
Take a stroll through the past
The past is all around us and has created the present. The present would not exist without the past. We need to understand the past to understand the present.
The Llewella Davies Memorial Walkway, a walk in the meadows of the past
The Camden Town Farm Miss Llewella Davies Pioneers Walkway opened in 2020 in the former colonial landscape of the Cowpastures. The area was part of the original grants that made up the Macarthur family's Camden Park Estate and in pre-European times the country of the Dharawal people.
