The Secrets of ANZAC Ridge: In Flanders Fields by Trish Skehan
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The Secrets of ANZAC Ridge: In Flanders Fields by Trish Skehan

Trish Skehan is a longstanding member of the City of Canada Bay Heritage Society and has a keen interest in history. She has authored a number of books including the “Walkers of Yaralla” and “Frontline of the Pandemic: Australia 1919” that are for sale at the Museum. Trish’s latest book “The Secrets of ANZAC Ridge:…

The Squatters Grab

From Our Library

THE SQUATTERS GRAB: where it all went wrongBy Wal WalkerSelf-published by William Wallace Walker, 2023. Wal Walker was born in Sydney. He is an economist and has lived ten years in Queensland and several years in the Northern Territory.  Wal has written a detailed book on the dispossession of land and subsequent loss of culture…

Colonial Robert Watkin Savage                              (2nd AIF and Royal Australian Signals Corps)
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Colonial Robert Watkin Savage (2nd AIF and Royal Australian Signals Corps)

Concord Man chosen to command AIF Ski School Bob Savage (born 30 September 1906) had a lifelong interest in the military, starting when he joined the militia at the age of 14. He was commissioned into the ‘Militia Signals Corps’ (Royal Australian Corps of Signals), in 1927 and was promoted to Captain in 1933. He…

Sir Arthur Renwick
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Sir Arthur Renwick

Sir Arthur Renwick (30 May 1837 – 23 November 1908) Arthur Renwick was a prominent citizen of Canada Bay, philanthropist, politician and businessman. In 1877 – 1878, he built his home and named it Abbotsford after Sir Walter Scott’s mansion, Abbotsford in Scotland. Sir Walter Scott was Renwick’s favourite author. The suburb of Abbotsford was…

Lest We Forget: John “Jack” Milton Booth
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Lest We Forget: John “Jack” Milton Booth

As we prepare for Anzac Day 2025, our family reflects on the uncle we never had the chance to meet, the young boy from Rhodes who answered the call for King and the Empire. John “Jack” Milton Booth was born in Ashfield, NSW on 1st May 1922, the eldest child of Robert and Vivienne Booth….

How Did Concord Get It’s Name?
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How Did Concord Get It’s Name?

We have no definite answer to this question. However, we do know that Acting Governor, Francis Grose, awarded land grants in the area to both non-commissioned soldiers and the free settlers in 1793. The colony’s Judge Advocate, Judge Advocate David Collins, in his account of the grants, recorded at the time that the settlers, “occupied…

The Millinery Trade
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The Millinery Trade

Gladys Leslie who lived at 289 Concord Road, Concord ran a small dressmaking and millinery business from home during the 1920’s and 1930’s. It was an occupation that women were able to continue in after marriage and children. Gladys originally learnt dressmaking and tailoring in Lithgow, before joining a millinery firm in Sydney before marriage…

The street where you live: Zoeller Street
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The street where you live: Zoeller Street

Daniel Zoeller was born in Darmstadt Germany in 1831. He emigrated to Australia in 1856 with his wife Katherine and their first child Elizabeth. They settled in Ada Street Concord, at the home called “Pine Cottage”. (NSW Government Gazette p1448 1883) Daniel was naturalised an Australian citizen at Government House, Sydney on 11 April 1866(NSW…

Charles Bergevin (Langevin): A Canadian Convict at the Longbottom Stockade
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Charles Bergevin (Langevin): A Canadian Convict at the Longbottom Stockade

by A.J. Bergevin In November 2024 I embarked on a journey to research my ancestral grandfather, Charles Bergevin, who was a prisoner at the Longbottom Stockade. I visited the City of Canada Bay Museum, where there was a display and information about the Longbottom Stockade, as well as the Canadian exile monument in Bayview Park….

Christmas greetings
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Christmas greetings

The City of Canada Bay Heritage Society wishes all our members and readers a very Happy Christmas and New Year. We thank everyone who has supported the City of Canada Bay Heritage Society, volunteered at the Museum and at the open days at the Yaralla Estate and Rivendell. The work the Society does to; promote,…