Update Aboriginal reference on Gateway Signage

A motion was tabled at the Strathfield Council meeting on 28 September 2026 to rescind the Council resolution which included removal of Aboriginal references on Strathfield Council’s gateway signage. The decision included ‘That language on the current signage including reference to “Wangal Land” and “Always Was Always Will Be” be removed immediately, and if removal isn’t possible, be covered’.

The recission motion failed (note – a recission motion is an action to rescind a previous decision or resolution of the Council). Therefore, the prior decision stands and the action to remove or cover signage has been implemented by Council.

The Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society lodged a submission to Strathfield Council requesting a review of this decision. The letter is published in full on this site.

It remains our position that our local Indigenous people should be acknowledged on key signage as the land we occupy in the Municipality of Strathfield is Wangal land. This statement is not meant to be trendy or divisive, it is simply recognising a historic fact, which is based on significant research and verifiable evidence.

Strathfield Historic Transport Exhibition

The Next Stop, Strathfield: Travel through history exhibition will officially open on 6pm Thursday 15 October 2026. There will be a short talk and serving of refreshments.  If you wish to attend the opening, please RSVP by Thursday 8 October 2026 by email: exhibitions@strathfield.nsw.gov.au. Bookings are required for the opening for catering purposes.

The exhibition will be open until Sunday 6 December 2026 at the Ironbark Gallery, Strathfield Library, Rochester Street, Homebush during Library opening hours. 

The exhibition is a collaboration between Strathfield Council and Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society.

The exhibition welcomes everyone to get All Aboard for a lively journey through Strathfield’s transport story! Best known today for its busy railway station, Strathfield has also been home to some surprising transport firsts, including Australia’s first motorcycle race at Homebush. Discover how people, goods and ideas moved through the district over time, from early roads, stagecoaches, ferries and steamers to bicycles, motorcycles, freight, trams, buses, car yards, cars and even planes. Come along and see Strathfield’s history in motion.

The exhibition will feature photos and images, information, displayed objects and a video showing a range of transports from all periods of Strathfield’s history.

Pictorial History Talk – 1 March 2026

A talk will be held on Sunday 1 March 2026 at Strathfield Library on the new Pictorial History of Strathfield Book. The talk will be held from 2pm to 4pm at Strathfield Library, 65-67 Rochester Street Homebush.

Afternoon tea will be served at 2pm before the commencement of the talk. The event is free. For bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/strathfield-pictorial-history-talk

About the talk

Come along to a talk and hear some of the stories featured in the Pictorial History of Strathfield district book. The book and talk explores many important chapters from our past, from the Aboriginal history and early settlement to the arrival of the rail and homes as well as events including the 1930s Depression and World Wars.

Speakers are the book authors, Cathy Jones and Jenny Macritchie.

Books will be available for purchase ($30) and author signing on the day.

Strathfield 140th Anniversary celebrations

An exhibition will be opening soon on to celebrate Strathfield Council’s 140th Anniversary of incorporation in 1885.

The exhibition will be held at Strathfield Library and Innovation Hub from 28 May to 27 July 2025.  This exhibition is a collaboration between Strathfield Council and Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society.

Opening Night

The Opening Night will be held at 6pm on Thursday 5 June 2025 at the Library.

This is a free event and everyone is welcome.  Refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP to assist with catering by sending an email to  exhibitions@strathfield.nsw.gov.au

If you have any questions, contact Cathy Jones at email: strathfieldhistory@gmail.com

Seniors Morning Tea

Celebrating Strathfield: 140 Years Seniors Morning tea will take place at the Ironbark Room in Strathfield Library on Friday 13 June from 10am – 12pm. Registrations can be made via this link.

Homebush Theatre

A recent newsletter for the Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society features a detailed history of the Homebush Theatre.   SHDHS Newsletter Vol. 6 Issue 6 Nov-Dec 2024 Homebush Theatre

The Homebush Theatre was built in 1925 and operated as a cinema until 1960.  Later it contained an Ice Skating rink and a theatre restaurant.

A copy of the Newsletter is attached.  The article also featured in Cinema Record, the quarterly journal of the  Cinema and Theatre Historical Society of Australia Inc in December 2024.   

Strathfield History talk – February 2025

A talk on the history of Strathfield will be held on Sunday 23rd February 2025 from 2.30pm to 4.30pm at the Ironbark Room at Strathfield Library.  The talk will discuss many historic topics and include a Question and Answer session at the end.

Afternoon tea will be served at 2.30pm.  This is a free event with support of Strathfield Council.  Everyone is welcome.

The speaker is Cathy Jones, Secretary Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society.

If you have any questions, email: strathfieldhistory@gmail.com

To book a place at the talk, please scan this QR codeIMG_0083

Back to Black – David Jones family in Strathfield

This new exhibition will be open from 17 October to 1 December 2024 at Strathfield Library.  It has been developed by Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society with the support of Strathfield Council.

David Jones exhibition full page

OFFICIAL OPENING: Thursday 17 October 2024, 6pm. (Free entry)
RSVP: Thursday 10 October 2024
Bookings are required for the opening for catering purposes.
To book, please reserve at exhibitions@strathfield.nsw.gov.au

EXHIBITION:
17 October – 1 December 2024 at Strathfield Library & Innovation Hub (during opening hours)

TALK: Sunday 10 November 2024, 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Speaker: Cathy Jones, Secretary, Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society

Entry is free. Afternoon tea provided, but you must book to attend.

BOOKINGS:

or
Bookings for David Jones exhibition talk

Talk on Victorian Italianate Architecture

Ethelstone 60 Broughton RdjpgA talk on Victorian Italianate architecture will be held on Sunday February 18th from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Strathfield Library.

The speaker is Mark Sabolch who will be speaking on the ‘Italianate’ architectural style. Mark is from the inner west’s Ashfield and District Historical Society and has been studying the Italianate style in detail for the last half decade and recently visited England to investigate early examples of the style.  The “Italianate” architectural style is one of the dominant styles for substantial Victorian period dwellings throughout Sydney.  Mark will explore some fascinating questions: Where does the Italianate style come from? How have our places been influenced by English traditions? How did the Italianate style transition into the Federation style that shortly became so popular in Australia after the Victorian period?

This event is open to all members of the public.  An afternoon tea will be served.  Admission free.

Please book your attendance to help us with organising and catering.

https://events.humanitix.com/talk-on-victorian-italianate-architecture

Opening of Cooks River Exhibition 14 December 2023

The Cooks River: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow is a new exhibition prepared by Strathfield Council and the Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society.  The exhibition will be open from 14 December 2023 to 11 February 2024 at the Ironbark Gallery, Strathfield Library, 65-67 Rochester Street Homebush.

The official opening of the exhibition will be held on 14 December 2023 at 4.30pm.  To attend the opening, please RSVP by Monday 11 December.  Bookings are required and can be made at exhibitions@strathfield.nsw.gov.au

From its source at Yagoona to its mouth at Botany Bay the Cooks River passes through
Wangal, Gadigal and Gameygal lands. It provides an important biodiversity corridor of
vegetated habitat in parks, reserves and gardens adjacent to the river. Over the years Cooks
River has been fished, dammed, concreted, diverted and polluted – and rehabilitated.
Strathfield Council is custodian of the Cooks River as it meanders through its LGA and
partners with other organisations to improve both the health of the river and the liveability
of the communities within its catchment.

This exhibition will take you on a journey through the river’s rich history culminating in
recent projects and initiatives that protect and conserve the river and its biodiversity.
How can you contribute to its future?