Author Archives: Localnotes
Parramatta Road Stories AIR Lyndal Irons
Do you have a story to share? Local Notes invite you to share your stories with current Artist in Resident, Journalist and Photographer Lyndal Irons
Frequently branded one of Australia’s worst roads, Parramatta Road was also Australia’s first inter-settlement pathway between two colonies. Once populated by Indigenous tribes and bushrangers, I aim to restore a sense of journey to a road better known for daily transit. Part documentary photography and part road trip, my series preserves today’s road for future reference and encourages a deepened experience of the everyday.
During my AIR with Leichhardt Council, I’m looking for leads and stories from local residents, businesses and pedestrians on Parramatta Road. I’m interested in absolutely everything: residential life, business, your experiences on Parramatta Road. I’m also open to suggestions about what you would like documented, requests and nominations for people and businesses you think deserve recording, parts you value, parts that interest you, aspects you love or hate. I photograph and also interview people and places to tell the story of road through its people and communities.
As part of the Parramatta Road Goes Pop, Lyndal Irons will be inviting people to tell her their tales of “Parra Road.” Lyndal will be located at 121 Parramatta Road for the month of September. Contact her via her email address to make an appointment info@lyndalirons.com.au She would love to hear from you.
Email: info@lyndalirons.com.au.
Please feel free to add comments and anecdotal stories on the blog in the comments field.
Photograph Exhibition: ‘HISTORICAL HOTELS OF THE BALMAIN PENINSULA’
PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION
‘HISTORICAL HOTELS OF THE BALMAIN PENINSULA’
During the month of September at the Balmain Library, photographs from the book ‘Historical Hotels of the Balmain Peninsula’ will be shown in an exhibition by the author and historical writer, Sharon Cross.
Sharon is a member and Journal Editor of the Lithgow and District Family History Society and has a long history of publicans on both sides of her family tree. She has written and compiled several historical books on hotels and sports. From her first book titled ‘Emu Plains to Bathurst – the Great Inns and Hotels’ the challenge was to present a history of the hotels along the Western Road to Bathurst which proved rewarding.
The fact that hotels were in the life of the author’s family tree as well as the research grew interesting in different areas of NSW presented her with an opportunity to compile further books on the subject. Further books included ‘Historical Hotels of Bathurst’ and ‘Historical Hotels of Penrith.
The photographic exhibition focuses on the hotel industry on the Balmain Peninsula that were past and present. The photographs were taken by the author herself.
Resident Artist Ian Chapman at the Dawn Fraser Baths
Ian Chapman is the current artist in residence at the Balmain historic gem “the Dawn Fraser Pool” set on the western foreshores of the Balmain Peninsula and tucked away to the side of Elkington Park. Upon our visit down to the pool to celebrate paintings by Ian Chapman the common beautiful tranquillity of the baths invites you into an old tranquil world surrounded by spectacular vegetation.
With old 1880 historic weatherboard structures, cool tranquil waters and timber boardwalks all set the scene for artistic inspiration. The artists space catches the breeze off Sydney harbour and provides a feast of visual inspiration with echo’s of a former Working Harbour with Cockatoo Island juxtaposed with the celebrated Heritage protected shoreline, which takes in Elkington Park.
Long-time established artist and art teacher, Ian has spent the best part of his life painting Australian scenes from urban Parramatta Road to the urban industrial buildings of the Inner west to the tranquil beaches.
Ian’s time at the Dawn Fraser Baths has been an opportunity to visually sink into the clear green waters of the baths and engage with the regular swimmers and groups of locals who love the pool so dearly
Enjoy here his works in progress Watch this space for an emerging exhibition. Be seen at the LOST (Leichhardt Open Studio Trail) exhibition in March 2016 at the Dawn Fraser Baths.
For more works from this Australian Artist. http://www.ianchapman.com.au/
Leichhardt Library Annual Photography Award Peoples Choice..Vote now
National Family History month workshops at Leichhardt and Balmain Library
History Talks on Ludwig Leichhardt – Put it in your diaries
Not To Be Missed Artist Talk… Kate Kelly: Sister of an Outlaw by Bec Wilson
Do you love the Thrill and drama of the Ned Kelly Story well come and hear about the amazing history of Kate Kelly Ned’s strong, loyal and forbearing sister. With over 30 well illustrated paintings and a strong narrative this exhibition is not to be missed.
16th July 6pm Leichhardt Library …2hrs free parking.
Kate Kelly: Sister of an Outlaw, Leichhardt Opening
Hello everyone!
Here is the invitation to the opening at Leichhardt Library, Thursday, 9 July 2015, 6-8pm. Jamie Parker, the Greens MP for Balmain and former Mayor of Leichhardt, has agreed to open the exhibition.
All the details are on the invite and the library can validate parking if you park in the Italian Forum carpark. Hope to see you all there and please feel free to forward this on to anyone you think may be interested in attending.
Thanks for your support and we’ll see you there!
Light Refreshments
Free Event Bookings:
A Village on the Harbour
Geo Referencing
Have you been enjoying access to the City Section Maps for Leichhardt, Balmain and Annandale.
Well it’s just got a whole lot more exciting with a Geo referencing project from the State Library of NSW
http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/using/map_georeferencing.html
Are you interested in local history and old maps? Would you like to see how the streets and suburbs of Sydney have changed over the past 100 years? Help us place a selection of digitised maps of Sydney!
Using our online mapping tool you can quickly create an overlay of an old map on top of current mapping and compare the past with the present. In our first geo-referencing project we are featuring around 1,000 maps of inner Sydney. Many of the streets have changed names or even disappeared. Identifying the locations can be like solving a puzzle.
Your name will be credited for any contribution you make and your efforts will significantly improve public access to these collections. Contributors can see the results of their work, as well as the progress of the pilot and other participants.