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Sydney Insiders Blog

History

A Remarkable Love Story 100 Years In The Making

When a masked and cloaked bandit robbed the bank at a small gold town in 1869, little did anyone know that it would give rise to the legend of Andrew George Scott, or “Captain Moonlite”, one of the most intriguing figures in Australian history. A charismatic man of God who enthralled and appalled the nation…

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March 2, 2023

Restful solace for the wounded soul

Sitting imposingly on the shores of Parramatta River is Rivendell. Often thought by Sydney locals to be a private residence, this has always been known as a hospital. Over time it has grown from a specialsed home for war veterans to become a key component for the care of mentally ill young persons across New…

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December 8, 2021

The silent watcher of the coast

The Macquarie Watchtower is the earliest known surviving, sandstone tower building in Australia, the oldest surviving building on Botany Bay, and has long been recognised as a picturesque landmark on the headland, particularly popular for wedding photographs. The c. 1820 Macquarie Watchtower is thought to have been commissioned by Governor Macquarie. Not only is it…

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December 7, 2021

A true friend in uncertain times

Located in Circular Quay at the gateway to Sydney’s CBD, 33 Alfred Street has been a prominent feature on the Sydney skyline for more than 50 years and remains the home and headquarters of AMP to this day. Opened in 1962, the AMP ‘Sydney Cove’ Building, designed by Peddle Thorp & Walker (now PTW Architects),…

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December 2, 2021

The past that inspires tomorrow

Located in front of the Western Sydney University building in central Parramatta is a piece of pulci art with quite an incredible story behind it. This work of art is a statue of a boy, so lifelike that he seems about to step down from his low pedestal and stride off into the distance. His…

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November 30, 2021

Grazie mille Sydney

Post war in the 1950’s and 60’s there was a wave of mass migration from Italy to Australia, and specifically from the lesser-known hillside town of San Fele (located in the southern region of Basilicata), to the then Drummoyne Municipality of Sydney, Australia. Thousands of men and women arrived to this new land, and bandied…

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November 24, 2021

Runaway in the Harbour

The date is 5th July, 1938. The place is Rose Bay, Sydney. An Empire Class flying boat rumbles and bobs towards its departure point and then turns slowly into the wind. As the engines roar, the plane gradually gathers speed before skimming across the sparkling, blue waters and starting its lazy climb into the sky….

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November 23, 2021

Shining a light for 140 years

Barrenjoey Lighthouse sits majestically on Sydney’s most northern point – Barrenjoey Head at Palm Beach. Positioned 91m above sea level, the lighthouse can be reached by a couple of walks and offers breathtaking views. It’s an easy day trip from Sydney and a great place to bring overseas visitors – they may recognise the lighthouse…

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November 22, 2021

Reflection

In 2014, Sydney endured one of the darkest moments in our history. A lone gunman, Maron Haron Monis, held hostage ten customers and eight employees of a Lindt chocolate café located at Martin Place in Sydney, Australia. After a 16-hour standoff, a gunshot was heard from inside and police officers from the Tactical Operations Unit stormed the café. Tragically,…

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November 19, 2021

A small slice of the past

Before the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Harbour was filled with ferries and punts plowing their way across the blue waters to join the north to the south of the city. There were private and public punts with them all providing a simple, small and spectacular journey. With the opening of the bridge…

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November 18, 2021