The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.
Search the blogs
Long Bay prison
Entry for Kate Leigh in State Reformatory for Women, Long Bay Photographic Description Book, 1915. Contributed by State Records New South Wales, NRS 2496, No 188, 3/6007 Long Bay prison opened 106 years ago this month and saw some of Sydney’s most…
Sydney's 'pissoirs' and public lavatories
Men's convenience, Taylor Square c1934. Contributed by City of Sydney Archives 02020262, NSCA CRS 538, Cleansing Department photographs, 1929-1939 It’s a thing we all need, take for granted and is perhaps one of the more awkward topics to discuss, but when…
Elizabeth Kata: An Australian in Japan during World War 2
MRS. S. KATAYAMA, wife of a Japanese pianist, and her son, David, 19 months, have arrived in Sydney from Tokio. Mrs. Katayama, formerly Miss Betty McDonald, of Sydney, intends to spend several years in Sydney. She wants her son to…
Wonderland City: Sydney’s amusement parks
Alice the elephan Alice the elephant loading the Wirth's Circus train c1932. By Sam Hood. From the collection of the State Library of New South Wales, hood_05790 / Home and Away 5790, Mitchell Libraryt loading the Wirth's Circus train c1932 It’s…
40 years: The Juanita Nielsen disappearance
William Street, Kings Cross at night 1970 By Fitzpatrick, John. Contributed by National Archives of Australia A1200, L84008 This Saturday 4 July 2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the disappearance of the heritage conservationist and publisher Juanita Nielsen. Even today, the…
Law and order in Sydney
The Labor Crisis - the riot in George Street 19 September 1890. Image courtesy of the State Library of Victoria, IAN01/10/90/1 Monday marked the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, or the Great Charter, which has been widely recognised as the most…
Dictionary of Sydney launches new First Fleet histories
The Supply at anchor, and the Sirius with her convoy coming into Botany Bay 20 January 1788 (detail) by Charles Gore, 1789 courtesy Dixson Galleries, State Library of New South Wales (a2060001 / DG V1A/8) Today I was pleased to help…
Anzac Day commemorations in Sydney
Legacy club members march past the Cenotaph 1930. By Hood, Sam. From the collection of the State Library of New South Wales, hood_05013 / DG ON4/5013 This Saturday will mark 100 years since Australian troops landed at the Gallipoli peninsula and…
Anzac bridge turns 20
New Glebe Island Bridge under construction 19 September 1995. Contributed by National Library of Australia, nla.pic-an12549240-94 This morning on 2SER Breakfast I spoke to Mitch about the history of the Anzac bridge. Next week, on 9 April, marks its 20th anniversary,…
The right to vote
Maybanke Wolstenholme (later Anderson) c1890. By Mitchell & Co. From the collection of the State Library of New South Wales, SPF P1/A, Mitchell Library With the NSW election this weekend, we thought we would take a look at the history of…