News
Remembering Heather Goodall AM (1952–2026)
Posted on 18th March 2026
Heather Goodall leaves behind a profound legacy: historian, teacher, writer, and activist – a beloved Glebe resident known for her intellect and integrity. Her scholarship and compassion resonated across Australia and beyond.
Glebe Society treasure Lyn Collingwood gets a gong
Posted on 14th March 2026
Lyn Collingwood, well-known to Glebe Society members for her Mystery Photo and Who Lived in Your Street? articles and Players in the Pub, received an OAM on Australia Day 2026 for ‘service to community history and to the arts’.
Congratulations Lyn Collingwood, OAM
Posted on 26th January 2026
Glebe Society Life Member, Lyn Collingwood, has been awarded the Order of Australian (OAM) in today’s Honours List, for ‘service to community history and to the arts’.
Message from the President: Bulletin update
Posted on 29th December 2025
From next year the Bulletin will be distributed electronically to all members. The December 2025 edition of the Bulletin is the last that will be printed.
Join us at our end of year gathering on 5 December
Posted on 20th November 2025
Glebe Society members, their family and friends, are invited to St Johns historic local church for an end of year gathering with a difference.
Management Committee news
Posted on 20th November 2025
Duncan Leys has been appointed as Acting President and Tim Hesketh Vice President.
Glebe Talks: Fishy Business
Posted on 2nd October 2025
Hear former senator John Faulkner on his new book, ‘Fishy Business’, detailing the history, characters, and politics of the Sydney Fish Market. Wed, Nov 5, 6–7 pm, Gleebooks Café. $30 (incl. food/wine).
Vale Neil Macindoe
Posted on 24th September 2025
Ted McKeown honours Neil Macindoe, former Society president and planning convenor, known for his role in the 1996 film Rats in the Ranks. Neil passed away in June.
Glebe Society AGM: You are invited
Posted on 12th August 2025
The AGM is coming up on Sunday 14 September at 11am in the Harold Park Community Hall at the Tramsheds. Guest speaker: heritage architect Scott MacArthur (pictured).
President’s Message: August 2025
Posted on 12th August 2025
Glebe’s Hill researchers recommended transforming the degraded site into biodiverse greenspace. Further information required: how contaminated is the soil and how can it be remediated?
Membership renewals for 2025-2026
Posted on 29th July 2025
We thank you for your support during the past 12 months, and we look forward to another year of good work for the community. Membership is due for renewal on 1 July. If you haven’t already renewed, please do it by 31 July or your membership will lapse.
Vale Neil Pennell Macindoe (21 March 1945 – 27 June 2025)
Posted on 29th July 2025
We’re saddened by Neil Macindoe’s passing. His impact on Glebe through Leichhardt Council and the Glebe Society was immense. Memorial: Sat 5 July, St Helen’s Community Centre. All welcome.
Have you seen one of these on a fence?
Posted on 13th June 2025
Do you want to submit a comment on, or objection to, a development application (DA)? Here’s a quick guide on where to find the DA and the local planning controls that apply to it.
From the President: May 2025
Posted on 8th May 2025
Good news on Bidura but concerns about the impact of proposed special entertainment precincts. Glebe Point Road could be one.
Three of the best: An afternoon among Glebe’s treasured heritage
Posted on 3rd March 2025
This is an event for members in honour of Ian Stephenson. It focusses on three of Glebe’s ecclesiastical treasures in an event that Ian himself had planned to lead.
Glebe Talks: Chasing tales with Julian Morrow
Posted on 3rd March 2025
Julian believes power, influence, popularity and profitability have eluded him. Can this be true? Come and hear for yourself.
Remembering Ian Stephenson (1955-2024)
Posted on 3rd December 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.
From the President: November 2024
Posted on 28th October 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.
Glebe Talks: Lyn Collingwood & David Gaunt – Biscuits to Books
Posted on 2nd October 2024
In this ‘Glebe Talks’ event on 6 November, Lyn Collingwood and David Gaunt will talk about the history of the 49 Glebe Point Road in which Gleebooks has been located for decades. It’s also been a grocery, furniture factory, boxing gym and more.
Removal of restrictions on drinking alcohol in Glebe’s parks
Posted on 2nd October 2024
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.
Sunday Talks with Pyrmont History Group
Posted on 31st July 2024
Join the Pyrmont History Group on 18 August for a talk about the survivor of the mutiny on the Bounty and the fourth NSW governor
Glebe in the news for all the wrong reasons!
Posted on 29th May 2024
Duncan Leys reports that Glebe was in the news for all the wrong reasons last month. There have been reports of incidents allegedly involving young people which have been addressed in meetings with the police and Council, reported in the next article. A meeting with Kobi Shetty canvassed issues around transport, the new fish market, the Glebe Island Bridge and housing issues. More positively, Duncan noted the continuing removal of asbestos and expressed his enthusiasm for the Glebe Society Guided Walks program.
Archives for the Future
Posted on 1st May 2024
The Heritage Subcommittee intends to collect photographs now that may become of historical and heritage interest in the future. They are calling on members with photos of Glebe and Forest Lodge who are willing to give them to the Society. They will be added to the photograph archives of the Society.
From the President: May 2024
Posted on 1st May 2024
The Glebe Society is dealing with a number of substantive issues involving the State Government which were discussed with local MP Kobi Shetty before the last meeting of the Society’s Management Committee. These include WestConnex, the upheavals due to asbestos contamination, zoning laws, housing shortages and the new Sydney Fish Market. The Society is interested in the Bidura redevelopment and restoration of the Glebe Island Bridge. Duncan also wants to encourage attendance at our popular guided walks.
Supporting a fellow community group: Pyrmont History Group
Posted on 1st May 2024
Following the seminal work ‘Women of Pyrmont’, first published in 2017, ‘Men of Pyrmont’ was finally produced in 2024. The new book has been glowingly described as ‘surprising, entertaining, a joy!’. It is a collection of 42 most diverse reflections on life in Pyrmont. The Pyrmont History Group is offering the two books for sale.
Glebe’s 2024 Anzac Day service
Posted on 27th March 2024
A reminder about the Anzac Day morning service on 25 April at 7.30 am in Foley Park.
From the President: April 2024
Posted on 27th March 2024
Duncan reports some positive developments for the conservation of Bidura House and the Glebe Island Bridge. Less positive are the State government’s latest announcements on parking at the new Sydney Fish Market and plans to rezone parts of Glebe.
From the President March 2024
Posted on 28th February 2024
Duncan Leys with news from The Glebe Society.
Valé Edwina Doe
Posted on 28th February 2024
Edwina Dow made an immense contribution to The Glebe Society, to Glebe and to the wider community. How the Bulletin will cope without her proofreading remains to be seen.
Australia Day 2024 Honours List, Glebe and Forest Lodge
Posted on 28th February 2024
Citations for Australia Day 2024 Honours for residents of Glebe and Forest Lodge, or those with work connections in the area.
