The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.
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So long Sydney
Miss Australia 1957 Helen Wood farewelled at Mascot, March 1958, State Library of NSW (APA 05090) 30 June 2021 The Dictionary of Sydney is an incredible project. It all started back in 2005 when a group of historians and industry partners secured…
Japanese Antarctic expedition camp at Parsley Bay 1911
A member of the Japanese expedition in the camp at Parsley Bay soon after arrival with the expedition's only surviving dog, Daily Telegraph, 13 May 1911, p15 23 June 2021 The extraordinary occurrence of Japanese Antarctic explorers camped at Parsley Bay may…
A matter of life and death – the coroner in New South Wales
17 June 2021 The role of the coroner in New South Wales has existed for 234 years – longer, in fact, than the state itself. On 2 April 1787, Governor Arthur Phillip was granted the powers ‘to constitute and appoint justices…
Fanmail for Mr Bertie
The Dictionary of Sydney is all about making Sydney's history accessible, interesting and popular. If Charles H Bertie was alive today, he'd be right into the Dictionary of Sydney. Charles H Bertie, 1925-1927, City of Sydney Archives (NSCA CRS 54/129) Listen…
Dyarubbin
Dorumbolooa, Sackville Reach June 2018, photo by Grace Karskens Most people feel familiar with the Hawkesbury, one of Sydney’s most recognisable rivers, but how much do they really know? Listen to Marika and Wilamina on 2SER here The Hawkesbury River, known as…
A huge crowd for a hanging: the end of John Knatchbull
Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW (923.41/K67/2) One of my very favourite letters in the collections of the State Library of NSW was written by a wool merchant by the name of Joseph Whitehead. In an 1838 letter to his uncle…
The Archibald Prize
JF Archibald between 1910-19. Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW ( P1/2150) The Archibald Prize is quintessentially Sydney - bold, controversial, and tinged with celebrity. The annual portraiture prize was established by a benefactor, JF Archibald, and the first prize was…
Kia ora!
Detail from 'The town of Sydney in New South Wales' showing Māori chiefs, c1821 by Major James Taylor, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW (V1/ca.1821/5 DETAIL]) New Zealand and New South Wales were once one colony, but on 3 May 1841…
When a Spade’s a Spade: the hanging of John Hammell
Sydney Gazette, 5 May 1832, p2 via Trove On 7 May 1832, John Hammell (also reported as John Hammill, John Haymell and Charles Hammell) was hanged for the murder of his boss George Williamson. Not everyone was sorry Williamson had been…
The Hermits of Killarney Heights
Portrait photo of Stefan Pietroszys attached to Australian Immigration file 1947, National Archives of Australia (PP15/1 1953/64/1305) The picturesque suburb of Killarney Heights at Middlehead was a popular picnic destination named after Killarney in Ireland. However, 41 years ago it became…