The story of Sydney’s water supply is an epic, now told by Maclaren North in the Dictionary’s new article on Water. From the Tank Stream, and the Botany swamps, through Busby’s bore and Centennial Park, to the Nepean Tunnel and Ryde pumping station, and finally Warragamba Dam and the desalination plant, water has continued to flow in Sydney only because of the derring-do of ambitious engineers and politicians. Yet Sydneysiders take it for granted every time they turn on their taps. The huge infrastructure projects of the nineteenth century seem difficult to credit now, in a period where governments are loathe to borrow, even to secure essential services. But Sydney would not have grown the way it has without water.
Delivery of ice in the city c1900 by Frederick Danvers Powers, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW a422009 / ON 225, 22
Ice, on the other hand, was a luxury item. Nigel Isaacs takes us through the fascinating story of the ‘frozen water trade’, which brought American lake ice by insulated ship to Sydney in 1839. Many native-born Sydneysiders would never have seen ice of any sort, and the coolest drink available would have been a bottle of beer dangled in a river on a rope, so it’s not surprising that it caused a sensation. Read about the ‘sherry cobbler, ice cream, mint juleps and brandy smash’ that was served at Sydney’s best establishments while the ice lasted, and thank your lucky stars for the invention of refrigeration (helped along by Sydney engineer, Norman Selfe).
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Sydneysiders love a party. Especially in summer.
In recent years, New Year’s Eve has become a huge celebration, complete with a theme, massive fireworks, music, and even an iPhone App.
But this is not new. Hannah Forsyth‘s article, newly published in the Dictionary, shows how people have been celebrating the New Year for many decades, from New Year’s Day celebrations in the nineteenth century, to the nocturnal revels which were enabled by reliable, bright lighting in the streets.
George Street, near the markets, on New Year's Eve 31 December 1878 Australian Town and Country Journal, 4 January 1879, p 24
For much of the twentieth century, the focus of New Year’s Eve was Kings Cross, with ongoing conflict between revellers and police trying to maintain decorum. It wasn’t until the fireworks shifted the public gaze to the harbour that Kings Cross quietened down on 31 December.
Have a great night, and stay safe.
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Life with the American Squadron, by Harry V Ingham, courtesy of the National Library of Australia nla.mus-an6964576
The first Americans arrived in Sydney with the First Fleet. They’ve been here ever since, as Margaret Park outlines in her new article on Americans, added recently to the Dictionary.
The history of Sydney’s Americans is a long and illustrious one, if not entirely smooth sailing. Americans have toured and visited as writers, boxers, members of circuses, theatre troupes and musical extravaganzas, and many have stayed. Sydney has also hosted many American sailors and soldiers over the years, with complex results. Journalists, architects, manufacturers and businesspeople have also come from the States to Sydney, and stayed for a while or for good.
From Billy Blue to Kristina Keneally, Americans have helped to shape Sydney, with their skills, tastes, fashions and hard work. Long may it continue.
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Maori people have been in Sydney since the earliest days of the colony.
Taylor, Major James. From the collection of the State Library of New South Wales Mitchell Library a2916002 / V1/ca.1821/5 DETAIL
