Event Reports
Walk Report: The Glebe Estate — St Phillips and Bishopthorpe
Posted on 1st July 2024
Max Solling led Glebe Society Walks fifty years ago to raise awareness of the Glebe Estate’s significance. A successful campaign resulted in the protection of the Estate by the Whitlam government. Max led another fascinating Walk of the Glebe Estate in May this year.
More green time, less screen time – better health outcomes
Posted on 1st July 2024
The Society’s 8th biodiversity lecture in May was an informative and entertaining lecture entitled Regenerative Cities and Flourishing Communities: why more trees might mean less loneliness and better health by Professor Thomas Astell-Burt. He shared his knowledge and enthusiasm for the importance of nature and well-designed green space for improving the health of the world’s city-dwellers.
Indigenous Australians and the First World War
Posted on 29th May 2024
This article is the first of three drawn from Max Solling’s moving address at the 2024 Anzac Day ceremony at the Glebe War Memorial. Between 1,000 and 1,500 Indigenous Australians served in the AIF where they were accepted without prejudice, but on their return to civilian life were denied full citizenship rights. Their experience is personalised by tracing the service of some of them.
Anzac Day Service 2024
Posted on 27th April 2024
Upwards of 150 people attended the Anzac Day service at the Glebe War Memorial on Anzac Day morning. Here is a report of the proceedings and some images of the attendees.
A wonderful Walk completed: Radical Glebe
Posted on 1st May 2024
A repeat of the ‘Radical Glebe’ walk was held on the 14th of April. Glebe and the walk’s guides are distinguished by the breadth of their political and social activism and the longevity of their involvement spanning many decades. The walk highlighted how much of this activism originated in Glebe.
Walk Report: Glebe’s Late Victorian Streetscapes
Posted on 1st May 2024
The first of three Glebe Society Guided Walks inspired by people and events 50 years ago is described. The walk, in April, explored the streetscapes of the Toxteth Heritage Conservation Area, an area now recognised for its historic and architectural significance and commemorated in the book by Bernard and Kate Smith, ‘The Architectural Character of Glebe’.
The Villas of Glebe: A Glebe Society Walk
Posted on 29th October 2023
Another successful Glebe Society Walk in October took participants on a tour of the grand villas of Glebe, some still extant, others a matter of history.
A visit to a very special residence
Posted on 28th August 2023
Inside one of Glebe’s newest houses. Putting the focus on modern design rather than heritage buildings, Glebe Society members had the opportunity in July to visit a contemporary award-winning private residence in Glebe.
Glebe Walks: Two recent visits
Posted on 31st July 2023
In June and July, members enjoyed tours of the University of Sydney’s heritage architecture and the Chau Chak Wing Museum led by an archaeologist. Guided tours of Pyrmont’s industrial waterfront and the Villas of Glebe and Forest Lodge are planned for September and October.
Event report: Unravelling Glebe Hill’s biodiversity secrets and potential
Posted on 29th May 2023
Learn about the Glebe Society’s collaboration with Prof. Dieter Hochuli’s Integrative Ecology group to study the biodiversity of one of Glebe’s forgotten places
A visit to Toxteth Park
Posted on 31st May 2023
In April, Max Solling led a guided walk around the Toxteth Estate culminating in an inspection of the 1831 Toxteth Park, courtesy of St Scholastica’s College.
Another Triumph! Glebe Music Festival 2022
Posted on 15th December 2022
The 33rd Annual Glebe Music Festival in November was of the highest standard. The seven-part concert series embraced music of the English Renaissance, the court of Louis XIV, Corelli and Handel, Beethoven and Chopin, the contemporary American jazz composer ‘Chick’ Corea and more. If you love music this is the festival for you – keep a look out for the 2023 Glebe Music Festival!
Glebe Society Guided Walk: ‘Radical Glebe’ – a report
Posted on 7th July 2022
The ‘Radical Glebe’ Guided Walk took place on 5 July. Meredith Bergmann, along with her long-term student friends and fellow activists Helen Randerson and Heather Goodall, shared their personal insights and contributions to the many aspects of Glebe during the 60s and 70s.
Event Report: Harold Park to Rozelle Bay: layers of history and renewal
Posted on 8th April 2022
On 17 March, thirteen people joined Jan Macindoe for an afternoon stroll to learn about the history and development of the Tramsheds and the extensive tram network in Sydney, the recent naturalisation of Johnstons Creek, the construction and destruction of the Harold Park Raceway, the construction of the railway viaduct now used for light rail, and the reclamation of the creek alongside the Harold Park apartment development.
A foreshore journey with an ecological theme – Glebe Society Guided Walk
Posted on 6th April 2022
A report on a fascinating guided walk in March that focussed on the Blackwattle Bay foreshore and the ecology of the area.
Glebe & Forest Lodge 9th Annual Spring Bird Survey 2021
Posted on 9th December 2021
The 2021 annual bird survey was held later than usual as a result of uncertainties regarding gatherings due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, it was also our largest team of surveyors with 20 people taking part, counting birds in 11 different parts of Glebe and Forest Lodge. 970 individuals from 28 species were observed.
Report on a Glebe Society Guided Walk: ‘The Good the Bad and the Ugly …’
Posted on 7th March 2022
The Glebe Society’s 2022 program of Guided Walks kicked off on 6 February with a walk led by our President, Ian Stephenson. This walk, titled The Good the Bad and the Ugly: a hundred years of infill housing in Glebe took us on a stroll through the Lyndhurst, St Phillips and Bishopthorpe Estates.
Conservation and Change in the St Phillips estate, a talk by Philip Thalis
Posted on 16th December 2021
The starting point for good urban design lies in a deep understanding of how an area has evolved over time,, said architect and urban planner Philip Thalis, in a recent talk about the evolution of the St Phillips area of Glebe and ways in which future development could echo existing streetscapes and foster social connections between residents.
Report on the Lord Mayoral Candidate’s Debate 2021
Posted on 22nd December 2021
On Saturday 20 November, the Glebe Society hosted a debate by the six City of Sydney Lord Mayoral candidates. Over 130 people attended in person and online. Before the debate all the candidates provided written responses setting out their position on key areas affecting Glebe. See the candidates’ answers.
Tree planting ceremony to honour Norma Hawkins
Posted on 6th November 2021
On 19th October a commemorative tree was planted on behalf of the Glebe Society at John Street Reserve to recognise Norma Hawkins’ outstanding contributions to Glebe and the wider community. It was also the occasion of Norma’s 99th birthday.
Biodiversity lecture, 2021
Posted on 8th July 2021
The Glebe Society’s annual biodiversity lecture this year focussed on the fascinating creatures in Sydney harbour and along the coastline
Anzac Day in Glebe, 2021
Posted on 22nd May 2021
Max Solling on the impact of the Second World War on Glebe residents.
Glebe Island Bridge – Give It Back public meeting a great success
Posted on 1st January 2021
The Glebe Society has for many years called for the restoration and repair of the now-disused Glebe Island Bridge for use as a pedestrian walkway and cycleway. The Society organised a meeting at the Pyrmont end of the Bridge on Thursday 3 December, the 25th anniversary of the decommissioning of the Bridge and its replacement by the Anzac Bridge.
We remember them: Glebe’s Anzac Day under COVID-19
Posted on 17th May 2020
Anzac Day is commemorated as an inclusive event, with people of all cultural backgrounds and ages encouraged to attend ceremonies to reflect on the momentous history of that fateful morning on the Gallipoli Peninsula 105 years ago. Not so in 2020 however, with the social restrictions imposed as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic being […]
Report on the Glebe Walk with Max Solling
Posted on 31st October 2019
It’s been a busy time for local historian Max Solling this year. His very popular Festival walks were sold out, with the demand for more resulting in a further Glebe walk on Saturday 12 October 2019. Max entertained a group of 27 walkers with his in-depth knowledge of our local history coupled with his ability […]
Community Festival – eight fabulous days!
Posted on 2nd August 2019
The Festival took place at the Harold Park Community Hall, in the Tramsheds Forest Lodge from 23 – 30 June.
Over 2,500 people attended the Exhibition and 1,100 people attended events.
Resounding energy and pride were openly expressed by locals about living in such a wonderful and cohesive community.
Chinese New Year at Glebe’s Sze Yup Temple
Posted on 14th March 2019
In February, the Year of the Pig was welcomed in with Lunar New Year including in Glebe. For decades, Glebe’s Sze Yup Temple was a site for celebrations.
Speech by Max Solling at Remembrance Day Ceremony 2018
Posted on 25th November 2018
The British imperial dead numbered over a million, and sending the bodies home was logistically impossible. Brooke immortalised himself in his own poignant verse in The Soldier.
Speech by Lyn Collingwood on Remembrance Day 2018
Posted on 25th November 2018
A reading of one of the many letters written by World War One serviceman no. 3698 James Blackwood to his aunt Agnes living in Glebe in Stewart Street.
Re-dedication of Tramsheds War Memorial
Posted on 2nd November 2018
The Tramsheds War Memorial is returning to its original location at the Tramsheds. It will be re-dedicated on Thursday 8 November 2018 at 11am.
