Historical Society

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

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

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

Free talk – history of Strathfield Town Hall

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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

Strathfield Town Hall 100th Celebrations

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Strathfield Town Hall opening 9 October 2023. Photo Cathy Jones 2023.
Strathfield Town Hall opening 9 October 2023. Photo Cathy Jones 2023.

The Strathfield Town Hall celebrated the 100th anniversary of its opening at an event held on Monday October 9 2023.  The event featured a history talk, panel discussion with the Mayor, local MPs and students from St Patrick’s College and Strathfield Girls High with music by the Strathfield Symphony Orchestra. The Town Hall History Exhibition was opened and available for viewing from 10 – 14 October 2023. The exhibition and talks were a collaboration between Council and the Society.

An expanded history talk was held on Wednesday 11th October at a well attended event at the Town Hall. The talks were given by Jenny McRitchie, Council’s Local Studies Advisor and Cathy Jones, Secretary of the Historical Society (& Chief Strategy Officer, Strathfield Council).

The Town Hall History Exhibition will be exhibited from 1 November to 10 December 2023 at the Ironbark Gallery at Strathfield Library.  The exhibition will feature additional exhibits, videos and photographs.  A talk is likely to announced during November.  Details will be posted when dates confirmed.

’Understanding Heritage’ talk

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Thanks to everybody who attended the ‘Understanding Heritage’ talk yesterday at Strathfield Library. The afternoon session was opened by the Mayor of Strathfield Karen Pensabene followed by the talk by Alin Almasan, Strathfield Council’s Heritage Advisor, on heritage in the Strathfield area.

The talk provided an overview of heritage in the Strathfield area, many tips on maintaining older buildings and processes for development consent for alterations to heritage properties. The session was presented by the Strathfield Homebush District Historical Society, with support from Strathfield Council.

Watch this space for future events.

Death of Queen Elizabeth

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Figure 3 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), Saturday 6 February 1954, page 4
Figure 3 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), Saturday 6 February 1954, page 4

The September-October 2022 Newsletter features an article on the auction of ‘Arnott-Holme’ as well as the Society Year in Review and the death of Queen Elizabeth.

On 8 September 2022, Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms, including Australia, and the oldest living and longest-reigning British monarch, died at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She was succeeded by her eldest child, Charles.  Charles III was proclaimed King Charles as head of state of Australia on 11 September 2022 at a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra.

A state funeral service was held for the Queen at Westminster Abbey on 19 September 2022, followed by a committal service later that day at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The Queen was interred in the King George VI Memorial Chapel at St George’s. A commemorative public holiday was announced in Australia for the 22 September 2022.

The Queen celebrated her 70th Anniversary or Platinum Jubilee of her ascension to the throne earlier in 2022.  The Queen visited Australia on sixteen occasions.  She is not known to have visited the Strathfield district, though on her 1954 tour, she visited the nearby Concord Park and the then Concord Repatriation Hospital (now Concord Hospital).

The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese said:

“With the passing of Queen Elizabeth the Second, an historic reign and a long life devoted to duty, family, faith and service has come to an end.  This is a morning of sadness for the world, for the Commonwealth and all Australians. It is a day of profound sadness and grief for the Royal Family who have lost a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. The person who for so long was their greatest inner strength.

Australian hearts go out to the people of the United Kingdom who mourn today, knowing they will feel they have lost part of what makes their nation whole. It is a time of mourning for the people in Britain, across the Commonwealth, and indeed around the world. There is comfort to be found in Her Majesty’s own words: “Grief is the price we pay for love.”

This is a loss we feel deeply in Australia. Queen Elizabeth II is the only reigning monarch most of us have known—and the only one to ever visit Australia. And over the course of a remarkable seven decades, Her Majesty was a rare and reassuring constant amidst rapid change. Through the noise and turbulence of the years, she embodied and exhibited a timeless decency and an enduring calm. Her Majesty served our nation and the Commonwealth for 70 years.

She is the longest-reigning monarch in British history and, remarkably, the second longest reigning monarch of a sovereign state in world history. Her life of faithful service will be remembered for centuries to come. From the moment the young princess became Queen, Her Majesty’s dedication to duty and service over self were the hallmarks of her reign. Performing her duty with fidelity, integrity, and respect for everyone she met. We saw those qualities each time she visited our shores — and she graced us on 16 occasions during her reign, travelling to every state and territory across our vast continent.

Her first visit, with Philip, began on the 3rd of February 1954 — just eight months after her coronation. It was the biggest single event ever organised in Australia and it remains a defining moment in our nation’s history.  Some 7 million Australians — or 70 per cent of our population at the time — turned out to catch a glimpse of the young Queen passing by. Queen Elizabeth II was a wise and enduring presence in our national life. Sixteen prime ministers consulted with her – and sixteen governors-general served in her name.

SHDHS Newsletter Vol. 4 No5 Arnott Holme and Death of Queen Elizabeth

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Strathfield Industrial Heritage Exhibition

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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