The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.
Search the blogs
Keith Kinnaird Mackellar
Keith Kinnaird Mackellar 1898-1899, courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW ( State Library of New South Wales (PXE 1193, 1) Most Australians associate the name Mackellar with Dorothea, the writer of one of our most beloved poems. But today we're…
Devonshire Street Cemetery
Devonshire Street cemetery prior to demolition, showing the headstone of Joseph Leburn c1905, by Ethel Foster, courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW (ON 146/no 401) Last night Lisa gave the Annual History Lecture for History Week 2018, and in keeping…
Life and death in Sydney’s early hospitals
Panoramic view of Infirmary and Mint, Macquarie Street, Sydney c1870, courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW (SPF/321) The History Council of NSW’s annual festival, History Week, will start this weekend, and as this year's theme is ‘Life and Death’, we…
The Electrical Association for Women
Electrical Association for Women Cookery Book, compiled and published by Mrs FV McKenzie, Director of the Electrical Association for Women (Australia) Sydney, published by The Electrical Association for Women (Australia), Sydney 1936 (private collection) Electricity has been in the news for…
The island laboratory
Loir in the laboratory at Rodd Island, Illustrated Sydney News, 21 November 1891, p12 Our picturesque Sydney Harbour has 13 islands, each with its own fascinating history. Cockatoo Island, Garden Island and Fort Denison all come to mind as popular attractions,…
Eora fisherwomen
bara by Aboriginal artist Judy Watson, image courtesy of Judy Watson and UAP MEDIA Yesterday Governor David Hurley and Lord Mayor Clover Moore unveiled plans for a major new artwork overlooking Sydney Harbour on the Tarpeian Precinct Lawn above Dubbagullee (also…
Historic Sydenham pub gutted by fire
wp-image-15369 https://home.dictionaryofsydney.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ANU-NBAC-General-Gordon-Hotel-card-5-side-2-CROP.jpgGeneral Gordon Hotel, Sydenham 1949, courtesy of the Noel Butlin Archives Centre [General Gordon Hotel card 5 side 2 (detail)]451353/> General Gordon Hotel, Sydenham 1949. Courtesy Noel Butlin Archives Centre, Australian National University (General Gordon Hotel card 5 side…
The murder of Joseph Luker
Smith's Weekly, 28 February 1920, p17 via Trove This morning on 2SER Breakfast, Dr Rachel Franks talked to Tess Connery about Australia's oldest cold case, the murder of Constable Joseph Luker, who was the first police officer killed in the line…
Sydney's secret wartime research
Testing the Anti-G suit in a centrifuge designed for the purpose. Courtesy Australian War Memorial (AWM 042662) This week on 2SER Breakfast, Dictionary special guest Dr Peter Hobbins talked to Tess about some top secret research undertaken at the University of…
Sydney’s wining and dining evolution
Ye Olde Crusty Wine Cellar, 255 George Street, Sydney December 1942 Courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW (Home and Away 24160) Nowadays, you can walk into any one of the many bars and restaurants of Sydney and be shown an extensive…