Canada Bay Connections Blog

World War II was a period of dramatic change for the people of New South Wales. For some, the war brought new opportunities adventure and lasting friendships. While for others, wartime meant loss and hardship, fear and uncertainty.

'There's a War on!', a Museums & Galleries New South Wales travelling exhibiton, is on display at the City of Canada Bay Museum. It explores the varied experiences of men, women and children on the home front during World War II through photographs, artefacts and memorabilia.

The City of Canada Bay Museum is open every Wednesday and Saturday and the exhibition is on display from 14 April to 16 June 2012.  

The Commonwealth of Australia War Loans certificate from 1944, above, is from the Local Studies collection. It was presented to Wilfred John Mendel, Town Clerk of Concord Council and bears the facsimile signature of Ben Chifley who was then the Treasurer.        

Posted by Local Studies Librarian on Monday, 16 April 2012    View and make comments

In 1905 Henry Goddard, later a Mayor of Concord, patented a building method called camerated concrete.  This method allowed for the walls of a house to be constructed as one joint less cavity wall.

Exhibited at the Royal Agricultural Show, it was claimed to be 'practically indestructible, absolutely damp proof and better and cheaper than either brick or stone'. This claim has stood the test of time as camerated concrete homes still exist in Ada Street, Concord.

The photograph is from an album of original photographs donated to Local Studies by architect Robert Irving. It is included in a display called Perfecting the Aussie home which conicides with the National Trust Heritage Festival. The display celebrates local innovations which helped to create the ideal suburban home.

Perfecting the Aussie home can be seen at Concord Library from 2 April to 29 April, during library opening hours. 

Posted by Local Studies Librarian on Tuesday, 27 March 2012    View and make comments

Local resident Harry Kimble's passion for rugby has resulted in his publication Against the odds: a pictorial history of Wests Rugby which covers 112 years of the Western Suburbs Rugby Club and West Harbour Rugby Club.

Harry has been associated with Wests for more than half of its history, having begun as a ball boy in 1952.  Since then he has been a player, video cameraman, committeeman, archivist and club historian. A passion for rugby runs in the family with his father, nephews and grandsons also playing for Wests.

The title of the book reflects the changing fortunes of the club over the years. Even so, Wests can claim a proud tradition with the club producing 41 Wallabies.

Harry has donated digital copies of the 350 photographs used in the book to be added to Canada Bay Connections.

Posted by Local Studies Librarian on Thursday, 23 February 2012    View and make comments

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the New South Wales Police Force. In 1862 the various independent police units throughout New South Wales were combined under the Police Regulation Act to form the New South Wales Police.

A Police Station was established at Five Dock in 1876 initially with a strength of one foot constable. The Drummoyne Police Station was established in 1891 and had a strength of two foot constables.

The photograph shows the Five Dock Police Station, Great North Road in the early 1900s. The station served as the home for the officer in charge whose family can be seen in the photograph. It was also the State Electoral Office. The station was located near present-day Fred Kelly Place and has since been demolished. 

Posted by Local Studies Librarian on Monday, 6 February 2012    View and make comments

The photograph shows a cricket match at Alton, a house which was situated near Concord Road. It may have been taken when the house was owned by E. B. (Biddulph) Henning, between 1892 and 1895.

Biddulph Henning emigrated to Australia in 1853 and was a pastoralist and businessman. He is best known through his sister Rachel's letters which were published as The letters of Rachel Henning. The letters provide a vivid record of colonial life.

While living in Concord, Biddulph Henning was active in the Yaralla Cricket Club and served as Vice-president in 1895. Biddulph and his wife were also active members of St Luke's church.

Although Biddulph emigrated due to his delicate health, he was 94 when he died in 1928 at Hunters Hill.

Local Studies is keen to expand our collection of sports images and welcomes the loan of photographs for scanning and inclusion in Canada Bay Connections.

Posted by Local Studies Librarian on Monday, 9 January 2012    View and make comments