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We welcome donations of photographs, information and ephemera relating to the local history of the Strathfield Municipal Council district.

If you have a specific story to share about the people, places and events of our local area, or just have a question or comment, please complete the form below. Alternatively, you can get in touch with our Local Studies Advisor by calling Strathfield Council Library and Innovation Hub on 8762 0222 or email local.studies@strathfield.nsw.gov.au

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Premier George Reid's Kangaroo

08 OCTOBER 2024

One of the more unusual residents of The Boulevarde, Strathfield in the late 1800s was a kangaroo belonging to the Premier, George Reid.

Enfield Council Staff, 1937

25 SEPTMEBER 2024

Enfield Council was incorporated in 1889. In 1937 the staff of Enfield Council were photographed outside the Enfield Council Chambers.

Marking Time

10 SEPTMEBER 2024

How do you mark time?

81 Water Street, Strathfield South

27 AUGUST 2024

81 Water Street, Strathfield South, 21 August 2024. Courtesy Strathfield Local Studies

First Mayor of Homebush, Harry Neville Kite

13 AUGUST 2024

Timber merchant, Harry Neville Kite became Homebush Council’s first mayor in 1906 after agitation from locals saw the inauguration of a new council.[

A Silver Trowel

30 JULY 2024

The opening of the Catholic Institute of Sydney.

Lion Tile Co. Subdivision, 1990

16 JULY 2024

A recent donation to the Strathfield Library Local Studies collection was this glossy 1990 brochure advertising the subdivision of the Lion Tile site fronting Liverpool Road at Strathfield South.

Strathfield First Day Cover 1984

7 JUNE 2024

Are you a stamp collector? This first day cover was released on 21 September 1984. It features Strathfield Plaza, which opened in 1981, with the snazzy catchphrase of ‘You want it! We’ve got it!’

William Beard, Hardware Merchant and Author

7 JUNE 2024

William Beard Pty Ltd, builders’ and hardware suppliers, operated for many years on the site between Coronation Parade and Liverpool Road, Strathfield South, opposite the carpark between the old Enfield Council Chambers and the Coronation Arch.

Harmsworth 86 Homebush Road, Strathfield

4 JUNE 2024

The Victorian cottage, Harmsworth, at 86 (formerly 60) Homebush Road, Strathfield was built during the early to mid 1890s. Unusually for a Strathfield home of this age it was built of weatherboard with a symmetrical façade and a slate hip roof with terracotta capping.

Message in a Bottle

21 MAY 2024

Have you ever dreamed of finding a message in a bottle? On 3 July 1939 Mr R.C. Chapman of Muston, SA discovered a bottle washed up at Flour Cask Bay on the south coast of Kangaroo Island, SA. In earlier days Flour Cask Bay had been the site of sealing and whaling operations.

Smallpox in Druitt Town, 1881

8 MAY 2024

In July 1881 smallpox came to Strathfield when a Chinese man named Sue Chong was found ill, hiding at a market garden owned by Mr Boyd in Druitt Town (now Strathfield South). He had been caring for another sick man in the city, escaped quarantine and fled west.

Connect with our Oral Histories

9 APRIL 2024

Between 1993 and 2003 interviews were conducted with former councillors, mayors and senior staff of Strathfield Municipal Council. These interviews have now been digitised.

Happy 20th Birthday, Strathfield Library!

26 MARCH 2024

Strathfield Library was officially opened on 12 March 2004, replacing an earlier building constructed in 1976. On 29 March it opened its doors to the community, welcoming more than 1100 people and 120 new members on that day alone!

Composer and Lyricist, Dorothy Dodd (1921-2006)

13 MARCH 2024

This year we celebrate the career of lyricist, Dorothy Dodd of Strathfield. Born in Burwood, Dorothy grew up at Maritana, 199 Elizabeth Street Croydon and studied at the Conservatorium of Music.

Avon 145 Coronation Parade, Strathfield South

27 FEBRUARY 2024

Built in the mid 1920s, this Federation cottage at 145 Coronation Parade Strathfield South was home to the Austin family, who named it Avon. It stands on Lot 4 of the Redmyre Estate, surrounded by other cottages built at about the same time.

Flemington (Homebush West) Public School, 1942

13 FEBRUARY 2024

As our younger residents settle into a new school year, we feature a 1942 wartime class photo from Flemington (now Homebush West) Public School.

Moore’s Bridge

31 JANURARY 2024

Early maps mark Moore’s Bridge over the meandering river at Strathfield South (formerly Enfield), constructed in 1814 when Liverpool Road was built by William Roberts. The road was opened by Governor Macquarie.

Train and Cart Collision, Homebush Station 1883

16 JANUARY 2024

Homebush Railway Station has changed surprisingly little from this photo taken in January 1900. However in July 1883 when woodcarter, David McKenzie from Broughton Road, Homebush was going about his work, the station – and railway line – were far more modest.