BALMAIN CATHOLIC CEMETERY: Leichhardt’s best kept secret     

BALMAIN CATHOLIC CEMETERY                                                                                Leichhardt’s best kept secret

Balmain Catholic cemetery was located on 4 acres that now houses St. Columba’s church and presbytery, a primary school, associated buildings and a child care centre, originally built as a convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph, who taught at the school. The cemetery opened in 1868 and closed in 1902 and was progressively built over. There is no physical evidence that a cemetery ever existed there.

The story of the cemetery begins with the arrival of two men in 1818 at different times and on different ships, one of those was a young man who had studied law in England, had qualified as a solicitor and who came to New South Wales to make his fortune, he quickly opened a legal practice in Sydney, became very successful, eventually becoming a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly, His name was James Norton. In 1834 Norton bought a large gentleman’s estate, known as the Eastwick Estate and which included a large house, befitting for a wealthy gentleman known as Eastwick House. The estate was roughly bounded by Parramatta Rd, Balmain Rd. Derbyshire St. William St. and Flood St. back to Parramatta Road.

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Walking Tour – 1914 – 1918 History Walk in Leichhardt

Step back in time and join us for a lovely walking tour of old Leichhardt Town the former Piperston town.

Walking Tour – 1914 – 1918 History Walk in Leichhardt.

DCF 1.0

Pioneers Park at Sunset

Join local historian, Patrick Callaghan, and explore what it was like to live in Leichhardt in the years of World War One. We will also visit several WW1 Honour Boards and find out about some those remembered on those boards, and the stained glass windows in All Souls Anglican Church, one of which is in memory of a man who fought in both the Boer War and WW1.

Wednesday 16 September 2015

Leichhardt Library
Meet at the rotunda at Pioneers Park Leichhardt
10am – 12noon
Free event – Bring a hat and bottle of water
Bookings – online or call 9367 9266 or http://www.leichhardt.nsw.gov.au/Library/Library-Events  or email localhistory@lmc.nsw.gov.au

 

Conference 2011

The presentations will centre on public history, local heritage and social research which lead to the creating of primary historical data about a community. Inspired by the completed historical research and data achieved through the Leichhardt Local History Grants the presenters would love to share these unique historical findings and their research methodsWHEN
Tuesday, September 06, 2011 9:30 AM  – 4:00 PMWHERE
Leichhardt Town Hall
Cnr Norton and Marion Street, Leichahrdt, NSW(AUS) 2040

Register: If you would like to come along please RSVP by
Thursday, September 01, 2011

Please respond by clicking  the buttons below $50.00 for the whole day with lunch included.

To Register

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