By Dorothy Davis, Walks Coordinator

The Walks Group organised six events in 2025 attracting close to 150 bookings. The program provided participants with valuable insights into the heritage of Glebe and adjoining neighbourhoods as well as visits to two cemeteries with links to Glebe identities. Our aim is for the walks to be educational, fun, not too strenuous and to encourage social interaction among our members. The walks also make a small contribution to the operating costs of the Glebe Society.

Reflecting on the year’s Walks Program several issues are noted:

First, the reliance of the program on the huge contribution of the volunteer leaders who undertake extensive research on the content/location of the walk, provide hand-outs, rehearse the walk beforehand and guide the participants on the day. This year’s leaders were Max Solling, Glebe historian and walks veteran, untiring and unstinting in his willingness to suggest and take on yet another walk; Katharine Vernon, long-time Glebe resident and Glebe Society member who has made a significant contribution through her heritage research interests to a number of recent walks including the latest in Annandale; Jenny Broe, Glebe Society member, who contributed to the research and co-led the Annandale walk; and Patricia Hale, public historian and Sydney heritage tour leader, who has contributed her expertise on a volunteer basis on two walks, most recently on the history and revitalisation of Ultimo, generously travelling from the NSW southern highlands to lead the tour.

Many thanks to Katharine, Jenny and Patricia, and a special thank you to Max who led three of this year’s walks and has more planned for 2026.

Second, the support provided by many others, both experts in their field or volunteers, to ensure the success of the walks program. Of particular note are the contributors to our first event of 2025, a poignant tribute to Ian Stephenson, the Glebe Society’s former President who died unexpectedly in October 2024. Anne Wark’s commentary on St James Catholic Church’s stained glass windows was followed by heritage architect Brianna Jessup’s outline of the significance of the Edmund Blacket-designed St John’s Anglican Church, and then a beautiful recital on the St John’s organ by Sean Weatherley.

Others to thank for their involvement in this special event are the Minister of St John’s, Garry Lee-Lindsay, and parishioner and Glebe Society member and Archivist, Lyn Milton, as well as many friends of Ian Stephenson who paid short tributes in his memory.

On all our walks there is an administrative role including designing the program, preparing listings for the Bulletin, Eventbrite and website, oversight of bookings through Eventbrite, printing of handouts and display photos, and back-up for the leader during the walk including ‘moving people along!’ to keep to the timetable. Thank you especially to Helena Klijn, and David Rushton, Katharine Vernon, Phil Young, Virginia Simpson-Young and Sarah Fogg for providing support behind the scenes.

A third issue is deciding on a theme for the year’s program and the selection of individual walks.

While built heritage and burial sites were the main topics this year, we hope to expand our focus next year. For example, one idea is some walks featuring our waterfront including Indigenous fishing heritage, industrial and maritime history, and current developments around the foreshore. We are exploring the opportunity of an event on board one of the Sydney Heritage Fleet vessels for an afternoon harbour tour some time next year.

Finally, we have enjoyed meeting those of you who have joined the walks this year and have appreciated your enthusiasm and continuing interest. We would welcome any new ideas for the walks program and look forward to seeing you in the new year.