Objection to proposal to redevelop Carnarvon Golf Course and Coleman Park into a cemetery extension

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The Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society has formally objected to the proposal to redevelop Carnarvon Golf Course and Coleman Park in Lidcombe as an extension of Rookwood Cemetery. They also oppose any suggestion to convert Hudson Park in Strathfield into cemetery land. Their objections are based on several key points:

Carnarvon Golf Course and Coleman Park are Crown Land designated for public recreation, and converting them to cemetery land would contradict their intended purpose. These areas provide vital recreational opportunities for the community, including sports, walking, and family gatherings. The loss of these spaces would negatively impact the health, social, and cultural well-being of local residents, especially as population growth and unit developments reduce private open space.

While acknowledging the need for more burial land in Sydney, the Society contends that repurposing these parks would only offer a temporary solution. We urge the government to seek long-term alternatives further west, rather than taking away land currently used for recreation.

The Society specifically objects to suggestions about converting Hudson Park into cemetery land, noting its historic, environmental, and recreational significance.  The Society highlights the investments made by Strathfield Council to upgrade Hudson Park for current and future needs.

The Society warns that repurposing these lands sets a dangerous precedent, undermining the integrity of public open spaces. That the proposals be rejected  alternative solutions for burial space be investigated that do not involve the loss of parkland.

Submission objection to Cemetery land expansion Sept 2025

Proposal to rename parts of Homebush as Strathfield

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The Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society is a community-based, incorporated organisation dedicated to conserving, protecting, and promoting the history and heritage of the Strathfield–Homebush district. Due to the impact of the proposal to rename parts of Homebush as Strathfield, the Society opposes the proposal and urges Council to withdraw it.

Letter objection to Homebush renaming proposal – SHDHS September 2025

The key reasons for our position are:

  • Homebush is one of Sydney’s oldest suburb names, dating back to the early 19th century, and has been part of the Strathfield Municipality since its incorporation in 1885. Removing or replacing this name would blur the historic and geographic distinction between neighbouring suburbs and risk erasing an important part of Sydney’s heritage.
  • Council’s notification does not provide background studies, costings, or a balanced analysis of the proposal’s impacts. Further, the notification information appears to assume that the impacts are wholly positive, despite clear and significant consequences for community identity, local institutions, and heritage.
  • Claims of “confusion” regarding location are not substantiated. On the contrary, renaming an area serviced by Homebush Railway Station and containing long-established institutions such as Homebush Public School, Homebush Boys High School, Homebush Village Shopping Centre and Homebush Post Office as Strathfield would increase confusion for residents, businesses, and visitors.
  • If clarity of location is the actual concern, a more obvious issue is the shared postcode (2140) for the distinct suburbs of Homebush and Homebush West. This anomaly regularly causes misreporting in postal, demographic, and statistical records and is more deserving of correction.  Council could also consider restoring Flemington as the suburb name of Homebush West, which would provide greater differentiation with the suburb of Homebush.
  • The Society has no objection to the inclusion of the isolated property ‘Strathbelle’ on Beresford Road (which does not contain an address on the notification) being included in the suburb of Strathfield which is consistent with other properties in this street location.
  • Renaming a suburb involves significant practical costs, from updating signage, maps, and government records to requiring businesses, schools, and households to amend their documentation and communications. These resources could be better directed towards improving community facilities and infrastructure

Strathfield 140th Anniversary celebrations

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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

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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

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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

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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

Demolition of heritage property 40 Abbotsford Rd Homebush

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The Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society have written to Strathfield Council to demand action on the demolition of a heritage property at 40 Abbotsford Road, located within the Abbotsford Road Heritage Conservation area

.Complaint demolition of 40 Abbotsford Road – Historical Society

History 40 Abbotsford Road Homebush 

Real Estate advertisement 2023 – contains photos and floor plans

Recently approval for extension of a rear addition was granted.  However, local residents have observed, behind large black fencing, the increasing demolition of the front of the house facing Abbotsford Road which was supposed to remain in-tact.  Last weekend, the rest of the house appeared to be demolished.

The house ‘Kiloyth’ was built in 1915/16 and is a late Federation bungalow.  It shares a history with 38 Abbotsford Rd, both built by the same owner/builder and both contribute to this much loved heritage conservation area of Strathfield and Homebush. They are located close to the Strathfield Library.

Please contact Strathfield Council and Jason Ya-Sen Li, State MP for Strathfield to support our actions.

  • Strathfield Council, phone: 02 9748 9999, email: council@strathfield.nsw.gov.au, mail: 65 Homebush Road Strathfield.
  • Jason Yet-Sen Li MP,  Phone 9747 1711, email strathfield@parliament.nsw.gov.au
‘Kiloyth’ 40 Abbotsford Road (pre-demolition)
40 Abbotsford Rd. Photo Cathy Jones 2019
40 Abbotsford Rd. Photo Cathy Jones 2019

Condition of property June 2024

Fencing at 40 Abbotsford Road
Photo of site post demolition June 2024

Talk on Victorian Italianate Architecture

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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

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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

Cooks River Exhibition promotion

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?