The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.
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An Old Swamp in the City
‘The Inundations at Marrickville: Rescuing the Homeless’ May 1889 Illustrated Sydney News, 6 June 1889 p14 The new decade began in Australia with an apocalyptic vision of drought, fire and flood, but it’s always a bit of shock to Sydney when…
Here's one for all the (library) lovers out there
Preserve this as a bookmark / the property of the Free Public Library, Sydney c1880, courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales (M 027.591/1A1) This coming Friday is Library Lovers Day, so today on 2SER Breakfast Dr Mark Dunn…
The Santas of Sydney’s Christmas Past
Little boy sitting on Santa's lap at Roselands December 1969 , National Archives of Australia (A1200, L85978) Some of us still have the photos taken of us crying, having a tantrum or terrified while perched on the knee of the strange…
Sound the alarm! Shark nets at Coogee
The first Coogee shark net, December 1922 by AE Foster, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW (ON 30/Box 55 No 675) It's summer, and for many of us, that means swimming in the sea. There has been a long tradition in…
The Newcastle Hotel
Barmaids serving customers in the Newcastle Hotel 1968, National Archives of Australia (A1500, K19075) In honour of Clive James who died this week, today we're going to peek inside the doors of one of the Sydney establishments that helped him along,…
The Explorer's stump
Explorers Tree, Katoomba c1890, courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW (PXA 1031, 25) On the southern side of the Great Western Highway just west of Katoomba is a colonial relic known as the Explorers' Tree. But you would be forgiven…
It's a sign
Traffic congestion in Pyrmont, August 1938. Note the 'silent cop' on the road in front of the policeman directing traffic. Courtesy ACP Magazines, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW (ON 388/Box 035/Item 098) Last week Lisa Murray mentioned a few of…
A decade of the Dictionary: the quintessential and the curious
Girl with birthday cake c1953, by Max Dupain, courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW (ON 559/Box 9/705) This week the Dictionary of Sydney is celebrating 10 years since it went live! I am continually amazed by the content and connections…