The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.

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Women commemorated by Sydney's suburbs

Elizabeth Macquarie c1819, courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW (MIN 237) As an historian, I'm always interested in how we shape our cities and how we get the names we get. Earlier this week I was looking at the city's…

21st Biennale of Sydney

Ai Weiwei,  Law of the Journey, 2017 reinforced PVC with aluminium frame, 312 figures 60 x 6 x 3 m Installation view (2018) at Cockatoo Island for the 21st Biennale of Sydney Courtesy the artist and neugerriemschneider, Berlin Presentation at the…

International Women's Day 2018

Louisa Lawson, aged 50 c1898 courtesy Dixson Library, State Library of NSW (DL PX 158, 24) March 8 is International Women's Day and today Lisa and Nic looked at three very different women who have shaped Sydney's history, culture and society. Listen…

Mugshots 1920s style

A few weeks ago I talked about the Registry of Flashmen which was compiled by William Miles, a police commissioner who used the latest surveillance techniques of the 1840s to understand the local criminal class. Fast forward 80 years to…

Flash coves, deep rogues and rascals

Painting by ST Gill, courtesy National Library of Australia (nla.obj-134655773) Sydney thrives on crime stories and today on 2SER Lisa thought she'd share a unique dossier held in the State Archives that gives a special insider’s view of law and order…

Everything old is new again

Completed escalators at the York Street entrance of Wynyard Station, 17 August 1931, courtesy State Archives & Records NSW (12685_a007_a00704_8735000024r) Last week on 2SER Breakfast Nicole talked about the development of the City Circle line, and over the weekend an amazing…

YES, YES, YES!!

'Lesbian Brides' marching group, Mardi Gras 1994 Photograph by C. Moore Hardy, Courtesy City of Sydney Archives (C. Moore Hardy Collection 061352) It was an historic moment last Wednesday when it was announced that the Australian people had voted overwhelmingly in favour…

Our City: 175 years in 175 objects

Young council employees c1905, probably employed as gully flushers Courtesy City of Sydney Archives (006011) This morning on 2SER, Lisa  talked to Nic about the fantastic exhibition she's been working on which commemorates the City of Sydney Council's 175th anniversary . This…

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…

The Peapes ghost sign

The Peapes sign recently uncovered at Wynyard, September 2017 Photo courtesy City of Sydney You may have heard about or seen the colourful advertising sign for Peapes Menswear store that was revealed recently down at Wynyard (285-287 George Street) after the…