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Sydney Insiders Blog

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Quench your thirst

Throughout the later part of the 19th century and into the 20th century the Hordern Family dominated the Sydney retail trade. Beginning with ‘Mrs Hordern’s’ drapery shop in 1823, Anthony Hordern and Sons soon became the largest department store in Sydney, with businesses in Europe, America and China. By the end of the 19th century…

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November 2, 2021

From famine to feast

The Australian Monument to the Great Irish Famine (Great Hunger) is located on the southern wall of the Hyde Park Barracks, on the site of the former convict-era kitchen and mess halls The monument was inspired by the 1995 call of Irish President Mary Robinson to remember the famine of 1845–52 and those who died…

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November 1, 2021

YININMADYEMI Thou didst let fall

This major artwork located in Hyde Park South honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who served in our nation’s military and their families. Sydney-based artist Tony Albert created the work, inspired by the story of his grandfather Eddie Albert’s narrow wartime escape. The work is also based on research by family historian Trisha Albert. The artwork YININMADYEMI Thou didst let fall depicts four standing bullets…

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October 29, 2021

Sydney’s Fountain of Good Luck

Il Porcellino, meaning ‘the little pig’, is a larger than life-sized bronze wild boar, anatomically realistic and resting on its left haunch and front legs. It is located outside the Sydney’s oldest hospital, Sydney Hospital, facing Macquarie Street. The sculpture is an exact replica of an original by Pietro Tacca which has stood in Florence,…

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October 28, 2021

Silver Shish Kebab

Located across Sydney are fine examples of public art. They inspire, some even confuse but they all celebrate living in one of the world’s greatest cities. One such fine example is found on Pitt Street. The Dobell Memorial sculpture commemorates one of Australia’s most celebrated landscape and portrait artists. Australian painter William Dobell was born…

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October 27, 2021

From tip to tip top

Sydney Park, Sydney. This Park is located in St Peters and borders Alexandria in the south of the city. It is well known by its high brick chimneys. A large 40-hectare site with hills, grasslands, wetlands with an extensive cycling path. Sydney Park is bounded by the Princes Highway and Euston, Campbell, Barwon Park and…

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October 26, 2021

Inspiration for a national treasure

Nutcote, located in North Sydney, was the home and studio of May Gibbs, Australia’s first woman cartoonist who is well remembered for her children’s stories and illustrations. He books have enchanted Australian and international children for over 100 years and the inspiration for incredible characters came from the gardens of Nutcote, The Blue Mountains and…

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October 25, 2021

For those who came across the seas

Today’s Australia has been shaped by migration. We’ve come from all the lands on earth to build this great country. The National Maritime Museum collects the stories of migrants to Australia, and the National Monument is one of our most important and visible ways of recognising the people behind these stories. Over 30,000 names already…

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October 22, 2021

Purple Rain

Nothing says warm weather in Sydney like the full bloom of purple jacaranda trees. For six or so weeks (usually from mid-October before a peak in mid-November) the streets become filled with beautiful purple flowers gently falling on the footpaths like purple rain… it’s just stunning. Here are a few places you must check out. What better place…

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October 21, 2021

Sydney’s international travelers

If you’ve ever peered into the murky waters of a pond in Centennial Park chances are you’ve seen one of their long, slimy occupants flopping about. The long-finned eels seem pretty content in their picturesque sludge, but apparently, they migrate as far as New Caledonia or the Solomon Islands to lay their eggs. Autumn is…

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October 20, 2021