The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.
Search the blogs
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney celebrated 200 years on Monday 13 June 2016. Yet, the site had been farmed since 1788 and under cultivation with scientific plants as well as agricultural farming before 1816, so why did they choose this…
Sydney's wild weather
Wild weather just hit Sydney and parts of Australia’s east coast, causing four deaths and an estimated $38 million in damage. It seems each time this occurs, photographs and film footage captured by awestruck residents dominate the news, and this…
White Bay Power Station
White Bay power station c1930, City of Sydney Archives (SRC352) Sydney Harbour was once a bustling maritime port and industrial waterfront. The White Bay Power Station is a landmark industrial complex on the shoreline of White Bay, an abandoned reminder of…
The Liquor Referendum and the Six O'Clock Swill
Liquor Referendum sign and advertisements, Surry Hills June 1916, City of Sydney Archives (NSCA CRS 51/1831) Back in February we chatted about the Liverpool Soldiers Riot in 1916. The riot, which started as a protest against camp conditions, caught the military…
Constance Kent: The 'murderess'
Constance Kent, the murderess c1866 Credit: State Library of Victoria (Acc No: H41038) In 1929, an 85-year-old Sydney nurse and public servant named Ruth Emilie Kaye wrote a 3,000-word letter called the Sydney Document. In it, she confessed to murdering her three- year-old…
Blue Mountains icons
wp-image-12418https://home.dictionaryofsydney.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Hydro-Majestic-Hotel-Medlow-Bath-1920s.jpgHydro-Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath 1920s. By Charles Henry Hunt. Contributed by National Library of Australia [nla.pic-an10566802] 413313/> Hydro-Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath 1920s. By Charles Henry Hunt. Contributed by National Library of Australia [nla.pic-an10566802] The Dictionary of Sydney has plenty of content…
The Ultimo World War I Roll of Honour
Ultimo Presbyterian Church World War I Roll of Honour, Nicole Cama 2015 Anzac Day commemorates all those who have served and died in war and on operational service. I recently published three articles in the Dictionary of Sydney about a World…
The Appin massacre - 200 years on
The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, 11 May 1816, p2 This Sunday 17 April 2016 marks 200 years since the Appin massacre, when at least 14 Aboriginal men, women and children were killed by soldiers under the command of…
Theatre Magic
Harry Rickards c1867-72, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW (a4361049 / P1/1449) Sydney had a vibrant theatre scene in the late 19th century. And one of the most famous entrepreneurs was Harry Rickards. http://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/rickards_harry Harry Rickards was a popular performer in music halls…
Muslims in Sydney
Letter of eligibility for Saiyid Mahomet Shah Banuri for Certificate of Exemption 1904, from the Correspondence of the Collector of Customs relating to Immigration Restriction and Passports) Source: National Archives of Australia SP42/1, C1905/3746 Page 28 of 29 It was Harmony…