State Library of New South Wales

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The State Library of New South Wales' major subject strengths are Australian history, culture and literature, including Aboriginal studies, Antarctic exploration, family history and genealogy, business and management, social sciences, applied science, biography, health and law. The State Library is home to one of Australia’s most significant historical and heritage collections. As well as nearly 11 kilometres of manuscripts – from nine 1788 First Fleet journals through to the archives of contemporary organisations and writers – the Library holds more than one million photographs. From the earliest surviving photograph taken in Australia – in January 1845 – through to digital photographs taken last month, the Library’s unrivalled photographic collections document with powerful clarity the way Australians have lived their lives over two centuries. You can find out more about the State Library's photographic collections on our website: www.sl.nsw.gov.au/research-and-collections

When were these photos taken?

341
1825
2025

 

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Old Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, 1857, George Rowe

from State Library of New South Wales

  • Kyller said:
    ❤
  • Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies said:
    What a delightful painting, the contraption in the foreground is a horse-driven whim, the horse must be taking a break, there is one working at distant lower right. - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whim_(mining)

Children outside the migration centre, Uranquinty, New South Wales, 1950

from State Library of New South Wales

  • Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies said:
    "Uranquinty played role in Populate or Perish Policy
    Excerpts “From Our Past” by Sherry Morris, the Daily Advertiser Jan 20,1996
    The migrant hostel was established in December 1948 on the site of the former RAAF Air Service Flying School, some 5 Kilometres north west of the township of Uranquinty. During the occupancy through to its closure as a migrant centre in 1952, near 28,000 displaced persons/ refugees migrants passed through the facility, by far the greater majority of these being women and children.

    Male migrants were contracted to work on projects at the discretion of the Commonwealth Dept. of Immigration.

    As accommodation became available in proximity to where the workers were situated, then the families moved on from the hostel centre, hence the large figure shown as having been housed at Uranquinty in a relatively short period of time.

    The NSW Department of Education opened a school for immigrant children. Staff at the centre totalled 100 by April 1949.

    The huts were unlined corrugated iron with few provisions for comfort — suitable for toughness-building austerity in single men, but not suitable for women, children and particular young babies. Accommodation was dormitory-style for up to 22 people in separate single or family blocks. Though expected to be temporary, the immigrants were often kept there for up to three years..."
    More - afuo.org.au/ukrainians-in-australia/history-of-ukrainians...
  • State Library of New South Wales said:
    Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies 👍

Indian parcel courier on Royal Enfield motorbike, Sydney, c.1933

from State Library of New South Wales

  • bill doyle said:
    it’s a good question!
  • Stephen said:
    Absolutely sensational nostalgia. I love the advertisement.

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