The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.
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A matter of life and death – the coroner in New South Wales
17 June 2021 The role of the coroner in New South Wales has existed for 234 years – longer, in fact, than the state itself. On 2 April 1787, Governor Arthur Phillip was granted the powers ‘to constitute and appoint justices…
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Sydney's smallpox epidemic in 1881
'Small-pox! : a treatise' by D. Kinnear Brown. Sydney: J.G. O'Connor, 1881, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW (DSM/614.473/B) As we stare down the barrel of an unknown pandemic, we remember that the city has seen quite a few epidemics in…
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Life and death in Sydney’s early hospitals
Panoramic view of Infirmary and Mint, Macquarie Street, Sydney c1870, courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW (SPF/321) The History Council of NSW’s annual festival, History Week, will start this weekend, and as this year's theme is ‘Life and Death’, we…
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Treating Sydney's sick
Detail showing the Sydney Infirmary from 'Bird's eye view of Sydney Harbour' by FC Terry, c 1856 courtesy National Library of Australia ( PIC Drawer 2407 #S1997) This week on 2ser Breakfast, Nic and our Dictionary of Sydney special guest Dr…
![Nightingale Wing, Sydney Infirmary, Macquarie Street c1869-7481b6f59e37f73b942](/sites/default/files/styles/max_325x325/public/featured_images/10286a53e723083dd81d7e181b6f59e37f73b942.jpg?itok=ckq6mJBf)
The Lucy Osburn-Nightingale Museum
Sydney Living Museums’ wonderful event Sydney Open is coming up on 4 and 5 November, where the doors of more than 60 of the city’s most important and intriguing buildings and spaces will be open to the public for one weekend. One…
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A distinguished lady doctor
Dagmar Berne c1890, State Archives and Records NSW (9873_a025_a025000112) Today on 2SER Breakfast we looked at the inspiring tale of Sydney's first female medical student, Dagmar Berne. It's not really a happy story, but this resilient and generous woman made an…
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Sydney's Rum Hospital
Old Sydney Hospital, Macquarie Street c1865-85, Mitchell LIbrary, State Library of NSW (a089177 / SPF / 177) It seems rum is good for your health. Or it was 200 years ago in Sydney. Sydney in 1810 was in desperate need of a permanent…