Latest News
Glebe Music Festival Special Concert in February
A program of divine music for baroque flutes at Margaretta Cottage in February. Brought to you by the Glebe Music Festival.
In Focus: This month’s photo competition, December 2024 and annual winner, 2024
Find out which photograph won December’s In Focus, and … drum roll! … which photograph is the overall winner for 2024.
Innovation and Ideas Grant: presentation by the University of Sydney
On 29 November, biodiversity researchers at the University of Sydney presented the results of their study into Glebe’s Hill, the neglected piece of land between the Tramsheds and Jubilee Park station. They identified 31 plant species, 12 bird species, plus skinks and invertebrates, as well as foxes, domestic cats and brushtail possums. They made recommendations to transform this degraded site into a thriving greenspace. The research was funded by a City of Sydney grant to the Glebe Society.
Remembering Ian Stephenson (1955-2024)
President Duncan Leys writes about Ian Stephenson, whose funeral was on 21 November. The Glebe Society and so many other people mourn his loss as a generous, funny and passionate man and a leading heritage thinker with huge standing in the cultural heritage space.
Report: Glebe–Forest Lodge Spring Bird Survey 2024
At least six native bird species including grey butcherbird, pied currawong and Australian magpie are breeding in the leafy parks and streets of Glebe–Forest Lodge. Tree martins are using air vents in a Ross Street building. One of the best results of the survey was the three willie wagtails down near the mangroves on Rozelle Bay.
This month’s mystery photo: December 2024
Where are we and what’s going on? And how did you go with last month’s mystery photo?
Advice to cat management inquiry: Give Councils enforcement powers
The NSW Parliament’s Animal Welfare Committee is inquiring into the management of cats in NSW to reduce their impact on threatened native animals. On Glebe’s Hill near the Tramsheds, wildlife cameras have caught domestic cats out hunting. The Society argues that Councils should be able to enforce mandatory microchipping and desexing of cats and 24-hour cat containment.
Oh, how Glebe has changed!
A newly-digitised collection of photographs shows the Glebe waterfront in 1976. How it has changed!
Glebe Talks: Lyn Collingwood and David Gaunt – Biscuits to Books
49 Glebe Point Road, now occupied by Gleebooks, has been home to many different businesses over the last 153 years. A talk by David Gaunt and Lyn Collingwood in November explained all.
Layers of history in Forest Lodge: A walk with Max Solling
Prominent local historian Max Solling led a fascinating historical walk through the streets, back lanes and waterways of Forest Lodge last month.
Glebe Society and Council request Heritage Council to protect Bidura
This is one of the last articles Ian Stephenson wrote on behalf of the Glebe Society, typical of his informed and passionate support for preserving Glebe’s significant architectural heritage. We could all see the dereliction; Ian proactively pursued action to address this. Let’s hope Ian’s efforts, which are clear from this article, successfully end Bidura’s trajectory towards demolition (by neglect).
From the President: November 2024
President Duncan Leys reports on the sad and sudden death of Ian Stephenson in October. Always good-humoured, generous and funny with a wicked sense of humour, he was a stalwart of the Glebe Society as President for two years, then as Planning Convenor. In other news, the last Walk of the year is coming up, as is a presentation on the Glebe’s Hill project. Events were held to honour pioneering journalist Dorothy Drain (and her new Blue Plaque) and the heritage listing of Elsie Women’s refuge. Not to mention the Glebe Art Show that goes from strength to strength.
Our Main Street – Glebe Point Road
What’s to be done about Glebe Point Road? A common thread is emerging that Main Streets, such as Glebe Point Road, must return to being public places for people. To do that, they must have successful shops and businesses, outdoor places for a coffee or a meal in a safe and healthy environment. And not be clogged with cars. Brian Fuller looks at what could be done, including the idea of light rail on Broadway and Parramatta Road.
In Focus: This month’s photo competition, November 2024
A great selection this month, featuring some iconic scenes in Glebe and Forest Lodge
A plaque for Sadie
A dedication ceremony was held in August in front of the old Glebe Post Office where a plaque has been installed to honour the life of Sadie (Sarah Murdoch King). Sadie was a well known figure in Glebe. She lived in Glebe for over 75 years, was a staunch unionist, advocate for the rights of women in the workplace and for people living in social housing.
News from the Blue Wren Subcommittee: November 2024
The results of the research into the biodiversity of Glebe’s Hill, the piece of land between Jubilee Park rail station and the Tramsheds, will be presented on 29 November. Raptor alert – a goshawk was also spotted on The Hill in September, giving the resident noisy miners a bit of a scare.
Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Cooperative 2024 fundraiser
Boomalli is hosting a fundraiser exhibition opening on 8 November, showcasing the artworks of over 50 Indigenous artists who have generously donated their work to ensure the future of the cooperative.
Walk Report: Discovering Ultimo
On 13 October, Patricia Hale, led a wonderfully researched guided walk past some of Ultimo’s historical and industrial sites, also pointing out the impressive recent urban regeneration and remarkable contemporary buildings.
The year in review: Guided Walks September 2023 to December 2024
The Walks Program has gone from strength to strength, with nearly 250 bookings on 10 walks in the last 15 months. Planning for 2025 will soon be underway and we welcome any ideas for new walks and any walks you would like repeated.
Memories of Lindy Anne Peisley
Lindy was one of the real characters of Glebe and she will be missed by family and friends.
Changes to City of Sydney planning controls: Have your say
The Council has invited feedback on proposed changes to the planning controls for Pyrmont-Ultimo. While they wouldn’t directly affect Glebe, they are likely to have an impact on Glebe, especially the parks and waterways between.
Removal of restrictions on drinking alcohol in Glebe’s parks
The City of Sydney Council’s decision not to renew the outdoor alcohol restrictions in Glebe’s parks has angered many local residents. Duncan Leys, the Society’s President, is concerned that the decision was taken without proper community consultation.
Mayoral candidates’ forum
There was a lively debate between the Lord Mayoral Candidates for the City Council following the Society’s AGM
Bays and Foreshores Subcommittee annual report 2023-2024
In the Annual Report of the Bays and Foreshores subcommittee Convenor John Sergeant recalls the Society’s efforts to secure a continuous area of public land along the Glebe foreshore. But more needs to be done to ensure the safety of all users, who move at different speeds and with varying levels of mobility and attentiveness and so on.
See the News Archive for earlier items.
