2150 Parramatta

With almost five weeks holiday still ahead of us it was hard to imagine that Max and I were struggling for some 'suburb time' Well, one day during the holidays was all we managed and here it is... Parramatta! I know it's a big place but as I walked around I soon realised there was a lot more to photograph than we had time for. This is the best I could do in the time given (and with a wonky camera) so I hope I've managed to capture enough to tell the story of this historical place. From the origin of it's name derived from the Burramattagal people to the river running through it that bought First Fleet settlers in 1788 in search of fertile land for crops. From the sandstone history and contemporary architecture that live side-by-side throughout this city, to the multicultural face of the geographical centre of Sydney. Hitting this commercial hub in the post Christmas sales enlivened this bustling suburb and reminded me of why I've always enjoyed being in this place.

From All Walks of Life

The head of the Parramatta River was home to the Burramatta clan whose name means  'the place where eels lie down' 

Parramatta... A River Runs Through It

Old Government House is Australia's oldest surviving public building and home of the first ten Governors. From it's doorstep you can see some of Parramatta's newest buildings rising in a glassy-blue shimmering reflection.

Vanes and Cranes

Tudor Gatehouse 

Parramatta Gaol has undergone many transitions since it's opening  on 2nd January 1842. It's walls now stand silent as Australia's oldest serving correctional centre closed it's gates on 9th October 2011.

Lock, Rock and Skin Tearing Razor Wire!

Westflied's humble beginnings in Blacktown, with Frank Lowey at it's helm, has now expanded beyond all recognition. For a long time Westfield Parramatta laid claim to being the largest shopping centre in the southern hemisphere. That crown has since been passed on but in Sydney at least, it still remains a feature that attracts people to this suburb.
What's in a name? Westfield was so called due to its location. West, because it was in the western suburbs of Sydney and field because it was built on subdivided farmland. Interestingly there is no Westfield in Blacktown, the suburb which gave rise to this huge  shopping empire!

Lake Parramatta was a very recent discovery for our family. We couldn't believe this little piece of lakeside beauty and tranquility existed amongst the urban sprawl of Parramatta.

Our day came to an end at St Johns Cemetery, the oldest European cemetery in Australia and final resting place for many of those that came over on the First fleet. While many notable people are buried here such as D'Arcy Wentworth (Wentworthville), John Harris (Harris Park), Mary Kelly (Kellyville), Mary Pymbal (Pymbal) and John Thorn (Thornleigh), it was this headstone that captured my imagination. What peculiar family trials caused Sarah to die of a broken heart on 1st April?

2110 Hunters Hill

Max and I had organised to meet a friend for lunch and being the photgraphic opportunists that we are we thought we'd fit in a suburb beforehand. It had to be somewhere in the proximity of 'lunch' and I fancied photographing somewhere by the water. A search of nearby suburbs in the street directory led us both to the peninsular of Hunters Hill. Well, what a surprise! A stones throw away from the city, who would have thought that we'd find this beautiful, secluded, waterside 'country village'. Pretty sandstone cottages standing side by side along leafy streets and comfortably nestled amongst colourful spring gardens with the most spectacular views. The place was oozing tranquility, nostalgia and charm!

The Garibaldi Hotel opened in 1861 and this is also the year that the municipality of Hunters Hill was established. A special sesquicentary celebration!

The Garibaldi Hotel's Goddess of Wine. This is a replica statue in place of the original which was stolen in 1973; and Adele who took time out of her day to talk to us about the history of the hotel which is now a collection of small shops, one of which is hers.

Antique and Shabby Chic



Room With a View



Marine Life

Scrubbing

Holiday Playground

Hillman Orchard

Scrumping Scalliwags!

Scrumping is a colloquial English term for stealing apples and sometimes other fruit from other people's trees, gardens or orchards. (This explanation is for those not from Blighty. In Australia apparently it's just called... stealing fruit from other people's trees, gardens or orchards lol). These three scalliwags were oblivious to me documenting their looting of mulberries until after they had got all they wanted and were counting their booty. They stopped when they saw me with my camera pointed at them and I stopped clicking away as soon as they saw me... we were all caught out!

Something interesting perhaps, for those of you in the cider drinking business! Scrumpy, from which the verb scrump is derived, is a rough cider from the south west counties of England that is made from apples. It was often given to 'wurzels' in lieu of payment by landowners in an attempt to keep the workers compliant. What's a wurzel I hear you ask? Think Worzel Gummidge and his good friend Aunt Sally and you're halfway there! A country bumpkin, a straw chewing yokel wearing a smock and weilding a pitchfork! (Gotta love those stereotypes) Wurzel is from mangel wurzel a German word for a type of beet. From mulberries to apples to beetroot - I love the connections of language, time and place!

2016 Redfern

When you say Redfern, many people think of the urban Aboriginal population, Eveleigh Street and 'The Block'. And why not? This area is probably the most famous part of Redfern, yet it is the one place that most people fear to go as many Sydneysiders associate it with violence, drug crime and more specifically the 2004 riots. Yet Redfern is more than just this one spot and it's pre-conceived ideas. There is a vibrant community here of people from all walks of life. Yes, the Block is looking a bit worse for wear in places, but walk on and the community centre is alive with the sound of childrens laughter. Around the corner and up a bit is the centre of Redfern where boutique shops cosy up to cafes; and the Victorian Italianate architecture of the 1882 Post Office building is reflected across the road in the more contemporary tower of the Centrelink building. Take a 'walkabout' Redfern and look for yourself.

Welcome to country, home of the Eora Nation

Ridgy didge, ridgy didge and away we go singing red, black and yellow...

Redfern, A Community
'I nod to a passing stranger,
and the stranger nods back,
and two human beings go off,
feeling a little less anonymous'
Robert Brault

A Walk Around The Block

New Kids On The Block!

On My Mind...
(My photo of the day)

In the Frame

I spotted three police officers down this side street, two of them were chatting on their mobiles so I asked if I could take a picture. Where's the other you may ask? She darted around the corner quickly... she didn't want to be put in the frame!

BABANA

Babana means 'Brother' in the Dharug language.

BABANA was formed by local Aboriginal men in early 2006 to provide Aboriginal men with opportunities to network, discuss issues affecting local men, meet other Aboriginal men’s groups and do projects which benefit the Redfern-Waterloo community. The vision of this Aboriginal men's group is 'Support, enable and empower’ Aboriginal men and their families in their community.

http://redfernoralhistory.org/Organisations/BabanaMensGroup/tabid/199/Default.aspx

Mark (left) and Dave (right) proudly invited us into the 'shed' and showed us around their place. Aboriginl men, proud of their indigenous culture who provide guidance and support to those in their community.

Post It - Note!

The Old and the New

 Trend & Trilby

Renovators Delight

Sunny Side of the Street

The Writing's on the Wall

Take a Pew

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Walkabout

The Aboriginal walkabout is a rite of passage, a spiritual journey that can cover up to 1000km. My Redfern walkabout was considerably shorter but one that opened my eyes to how stereotypes can and should be broken; and how many are working hard to do just that.