The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.

Search the blogs

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…

The Castle Hill convict rebellion

Convict uprising at Castle Hill 5 March 1804. Contributed by National Library of Australia [nla.pic-an5577479 Yesterday our best known Irish pubs were sprinkled with green decorations in celebration of the Feast day for the Patron Saint of Ireland - St Patrick.…

We're looking for an Education Officer

The Sydney Mechanics School of Arts has generously funded a part-time Dictionary of Sydney Education officer for 6 months, one day a week. The Dictionary of Sydney is looking for a part-time Education Officer, one day per week, for 6 months. So…

Drag and cross dressing in Sydney

Sydney University Commemoration Day procession 1938. By Hood, Sam. From the collection of the State Library of New South Wales, hood_18217 / Home and Away - 18217 The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardis Gras parade happened on Saturday and it was…

Wining and Dining in Sydney

Soren's Wine Bar, Cathedral Street, Woolloomooloo 1970s. Contributed by City of Sydney Archives SRC4326 This year’s NSW Food and Wine Festival have just finished and they featured an array of culinary delights, celebrating the many cultures present in Sydney. But our…

Matraville Garden Village

The official opening of Matraville Soldiers' Garden Village 1918, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW MLMSS 473/6 Matraville Garden Village was the creation of the Voluntary Workers Association. Formed during World War I, the VWA’s main activity was providing homes for…

Centennial Park

Centennial Park c1895. 1893-1897 Contributed by National Library of Australia nla.pic-vn4469751-s32 This morning Dictionary Chair Paul Aston joined Mitch Byatt on 2SER Breakfast to talk about the history of Centennial Park. Once a sandy, swampy wasteland, Centennial Park is the largest urban…

Chinese life in Sydney

Chinese fruit and vegetable hawker c1895, National Library of Australia nla.pic-an24615958 As we welcome the year of the sheep and the Lunar New Year celebrations kick off this Friday, let’s take a step back in time to the 1800s and look…

Bungaree

Bungaree: The First Australian is an exhibition at Mosman Art Gallery until 22 February. Artwork by Warwick Keen 'The Many Faces of Bungaree' (detail) 2012 The exhibition Bungaree: The First Australian which is showing at Mosman Art Gallery at the moment,…

Women’s Sydney

Five women in Hyde Park c1939. 1933 - 1943 By Hood, Sam. From the collection of the State Library of New South Wales, a368031 / PXE 789 (v.38) , 112, Mitchell Library What was life like for women living in Sydney…