MARCH 2018

SATURDAY 10th March at 2:00pm

"Surviving the 20th Century: The Rocks from 1900-2000".

The Rocks and adjacent areas of Sydney Harbour fell under the ownership of the NSW Government after 1900. Plans to redevelop the area were achieved with limited success up to World War 1, and thereafter events such as the Great Depression, the Harbour Bridge and the Green Bans left their mark. Wayne Johnson will focus on some of the people, places and policies that shaped the history of The Rocks and its significant place in the development of legislation to protect the State’s heritage.

Venue: Sydney Mechanics School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney
$3 Members $6 Visitors No bookings required

 

APRIL 2018

SATURDAY 14th April at 2:00pm

"The 1857 Dunbar Disaster"

Picture: National Maritime Museum Greenwich London

John Lanser, researcher and historian, will tell us the story of Sydney’s most famous wreck. On the night of 20 August 1857, while Sydney slept, the Dunbar arrived off Port Jackson in a rising south-easterly gale. Shortly after midnight breakers were sighted ahead and the vessel, now on a lee shore, was carried side on to the rocks between the lighthouse and The Gap. Within minutes the hull began to break up, all 63 passengers and all but one of the 59 crew perishing, but not until next morning, when bodies and wreckage were sighted floating into the harbour, did the young colony become aware of the disaster. .

Venue: Sydney Mechanics School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney
$3 Members $6 Visitors No bookings required

 

MAY 2018

SATURDAY 12th May at 2:00pm

"Australian Heritage Festival- The Good Old Bad Old Days".

Warren Fahey, cultural historian, author, broadcaster and performer will tell us the stories of the 2011 post code of Sydney’s inner-east that offers a fascinating history of Sydney’s high life, low life and, sometimes, very low life. All five precincts are alive with curious history. Cultural historian and performer, Warren Fahey, will deliver an eclectic romp through the social history of Sydney’s most famous neighbourhood from scenic roller-coaster rides at Rushcutter Bay’s White City amusement park; maritime mischief down at the ‘Loo; the scandal of ‘peeping Toms’ at Elizabeth Bay; and memories of cabaret’s greats at the Silver Spade in Potts Point, to the origins of the darker side of Kings Cross.

Venue: Sydney Mechanics School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney
$3 Members $6 Visitors No bookings required