By Peter Hickson, Pyrmont History Group, Bulletin 3/2024 May

‘Men of Pyrmont’ and ‘Women of Pyrmont’ book sales: we need your help

One of the Pyrmont History Group community dinners (image: PHG website)

Following the seminal work ‘Women of Pyrmont’, first published in 2017, ‘Men of Pyrmont’ was finally produced in 2024. The response to the new book has been very positive – ‘surprising, entertaining, a joy!’. It is a collection of 42 most diverse reflections on life in Pyrmont, but as with ‘Women of Pyrmont’, this collection magically morphed into a wonderful mosaic of the liveliest, densest, most diverse community in Sydney.

‘Men of Pyrmont’ contains stories from First Nations people, immigrants, authors, council members, activists, adventurers, humourists, musicians, GPs, wharfies, humanitarians, fruiterers, soldiers, physiotherapists, engineers, real estate agents, dentists, historians, surgeons, lawyers, pastors, scientists – all acclaiming their good fortune in living in a unique community, soaked in history, struggle, industry, solidarity, independence and identity.

This community has spawned a bewildering array of active community groups –  Community Dinners, Walking Group, Pyrmont Bikers, Pyrmont History Group, Pyrmont What’s On, Christmas in Pyrmont, Pyrmont Cares, Pyrmont Action, Pyrmont Supports, Harris Community Centre, Landcare, Friends of the Pyrmont Community Centre, Pyrmont Sings, Men’s Shed, Friends of Pyrmont Point, Pyrmont Progress Inc., and Pyrmont Bendigo Community Bank – that are integral to ‘Men of Pyrmont’ stories.

‘Men of Pyrmont’ and ‘Women of Pyrmont’ are important books about people, community, purpose, caring and options for positive city living – and are very good reading. We had 350 copies of ‘Men of Pyrmont’ printed and 100 copies of ‘Women of Pyrmont’ reprinted; we have sold nearly a third of these books since the 25 March book launch.

Pyrmont History Group (PHG) has spent $14,357 to produce the 450 books; we gave 42 copies to the authors and were legally obliged to deposit copies in three libraries. We need to sell 400, at $40 per book, of the 450 books to cover our direct costs.

We are very grateful to Michael Mathews for donating 20 copies of his 1982 publication on Pyrmont and Ultimo, a history which we are also selling at $40 a copy. We also thankfully acknowledge the $3,000 donated by The Star toward the book’s publication.

We hope to sell the remaining copies of ‘Men of Pyrmont’ and ‘Women of Pyrmont’. Books can be ordered by contacting me, Peter Hickson, or Mary Mortimer and by paying the owed amount directly to Pyrmont History Group,- BSB 633000, Acc No. 151054889. We will promptly arrange delivery of the books.

For information, contact Peter on 0450 974 848. The stories in the books are mostly about people’s connections to Pyrmont, and the community dinners exemplify this.