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.

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?

Free talk – history of Strathfield Town Hall

IMG_2417The Strathfield Town Hall is 100 years old in 2023. For over 100 years, the Strathfield Town Hall has brought together the members of the local community, whether debating issues of the day, attending joyous social events, participating in civic defence and emergency services, celebrating arts and performance or commemorating wartime service and remembering the passing of loved ones.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Strathfield’s Town Hall, Strathfield Council has been hosting a number of events to commemorate the milestone.  One of these events is the Town Hall exhibition, which will open at Strathfield Library from Wednesday 1 November 2023 to 10 December 2023.  This exhibition was organised by Strathfield Council in collaboration with the Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society.

Free talk

On Sunday 19 November 2023, a talk and afternoon tea will be held with Jenny MacRitchie and Cathy Jones as they highlight stories of the Town Hall’s rich history.

When: Sunday 19 November 2023, 2pm to 4pm

Where: Strathfield Library, 65-67 Rochester Street, Homebush

Registrations are essential for catering purposes.  Attendance is free.

For more information, please contact me at strathfieldhistory@gmail.com

Celebrating Strathfield Town Hall Centenary

IMG_2359The Strathfield Town Hall celebrates the 100th anniversary of its opening on October 9 2023.  The Town Hall has recently had significant restoration works.

The celebrations include an official opening dinner, a morning tea with a historical talk and a historical exhibition. The Town Hall History Exhibition will be open to the community from 10 – 14 October and will also be exhibited at the Ironbark Gallery at Strathfield Library in late 2023. This exhibition was organised in collaboration with the Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society.

Morning Tea Historical Talk

Council, in collaboration with the Strathfield-Homebush District History Society, will exhibit and host a historical morning tea.

Join us for a historical talk with Jenny MacRitchie and Cathy Jones as they highlight stories of the Town Hall’s rich history.

  • When: Wednesday 11 October, 10am to 12pm
  • Where: Strathfield Town Hall
  • Registration: Registrations are essential for catering purposes. Please register via this link or by emailing Council’s Events team on events@strathfield.nsw.gov.au

Historical Exhibition

This exhibition is open to the community at the Town Hall from Tuesday 10 October to Friday 13 October from 9am – 5pm, and Saturday 14 October from 10am to 2pm.

Official Opening Dinner

The event promises a special evening including live music performance by the Strathfield Symphony Orchestra, an enlightening historical discussion, and an engaging panel discussion.

  • When: Monday 9 October 2023
  • Cost: Tickets for this event will be $75 per person with all proceeds being donated to Suicide Prevention Australia.
  • Registration: Registrations are essential.

Historic Houses Exhibit, Talk & Afternoon Tea – Jan 22 2023

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The Historic Houses of Strathfield exhibition will open on 20 December 2022 until 22 January 2023 at the Ironbark Gallery at Strathfield Library. 

Historic Houses of Strathfield explores the rise of the mansion houses in late 19th century and their eventual fate in the 20th and 21st centuries. The stories of the houses and the associated people also reflect the social, economic and political changes which occurred over a century of development in the Strathfield area. 

This exhibition will include photos, maps, videos and illustrations. 

Talk and Afternoon Tea

An afternoon tea and talk will be held on Sunday January 22 2023 at 2pm – 3.30pm at Strathfield Library.  

For bookings, go to https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/strathfield-historic-house-exhibit-afternoon-tea-and-talk-tickets-489222396357

When: the exhibition is open from 20 December 2022 – 22 January 2023 2022 (during Strathfield Council Library opening hours)

Where: Ironbark Gallery – Strathfield Library, cnr Rochester Street and Abbotsford Road Homebush

Strathfield Industrial Heritage Exhibition

The Industrial Heritage of Strathfield Exhibition, Minding Our Business, is presented by Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society and Strathfield Council. The exhibition is open during Library opening hours from Friday 17 June 2022 to Sunday August 14 2022.AF675189-7951-4FC8-9F20-32D5329EF3F9

This exhibition explores the many businesses which were based on the Strathfield district from the 19th century, usually located close to rivers or transport such as railways and major roads. The district’s central location facilitated transportation of materials and goods across Sydney and beyond from businesses as diverse as Arnotts Biscuits, EMI/HMV records, Ford Car manufacturing, Textile factories, Flour Mills, Cattle and Sheep Stockyards and Brickworks. Industrial development also supported growth of worker populations and housing in the southern and northern ends of the Strathfield Council area in the early to mid 20th century.

Opening: The exhibition opens on Thursday 16 June 2022 at 6pm. View the exhibition and enjoy the refreshments. Please register to attend at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/opening-night-industrial-heritage-of-strathfield-exhibition-tickets-353442645467

Talk: A talk will be held on Sunday 31 July 2022 at Strathfield Library commencing at 12.30 for refreshments and 1pm for the talk. The event finishes at 3pm. Bookings at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/354877467057

 

Historic Houses of Strathfield Exhibition 2021

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/opening-historic-houses-of-strathfield-exhibition-tickets-206912008387?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

You are invited to attend the Historic Houses of Strathfield exhibition at Strathfield Library.

OFFICIAL OPENING EVENT will be held on Thursday 16 December 2021 6pm. Refreshments served. Free entry. Booking at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/opening-historic-houses-of-strathfield-exhibition-tickets-206912008387?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

EXHIBITION – will be shown from 16 December 2021 – 6 February 2022.  Open during Library opening hours. Free entry.

LECTURE – will be held on Sunday 6 February 2022 12.30pm for 1pm lecture. Refreshments served.  Free entry. https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/lecture-of-historic-houses-of-strathfield-tickets-228196129767

About the Exhibition

Historic Houses of Strathfield explores the rise of the mansion houses in late 19th century and their eventual fate in the 20th and 21st centuries. The first Australia economic boom from the 1850s to 1890s coincided with the residential development of the Strathfield district.  Many wealthy merchants and professionals viewed Strathfield as the ideal place to build large and lavish homes, supported by rail access to the City where their businesses were located.  By the 1890s, Strathfield was considered one of the premium suburbs of Sydney.  

However, this was not to last.  Decline commenced with the 1890s Depression followed by significant and continued economic and social change. The exhibition features photos, maps and illustrations of the stories of the houses and their owners. Visit the exhibition and attend the lecture. Presented by Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society with support from Strathfield Council.

For further details, email Cathy Jones at strathfieldhistory@gmail.com, or cathy.jones@optusnet.com.au. Phone 02 96423145.

Historic Houses of Strathfield exhibition

Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society is preparing a new exhibition at the Ironbark Gallery, Strathfield Council Library & Innovation Hub from December 2021.  

Historic Houses of Strathfield explores the rise of the mansion houses in late 19th century and their eventual fate in the 20th and 21st centuries. The stories of the houses and the associated people also reflect the social, economic and political changes which occurred over a century of development in the Strathfield area. 

This exhibition will include photos, maps and illustrations.  A lecture accompanying the exhibition will be held during the exhibition period (dates to be determined). 

When: December 2021 – February 2022 (exact dates to be determined) (during Strathfield Council Library & Innovation Hub opening hours)

Where: Ironbark Gallery – Strathfield Council Library & Innovation Hub, Rochester Street Homebush