Join the Australian Garden History Society for a walk and talk by Dr Ian Hoskins that aims to raise awareness of the heritage significance of Berrys Bay and its nearby foreshores. Together they comprise an extraordinary series of natural and cultural landscapes that chart the history of Sydney Harbour from pre-contact to post-industrial waterway. The Woodley’s site at Berrys Bay, in particular, is the last example of an early 20th century working waterfront which is relatively intact.
It was waterfront such as this that inspired Roland Wakeland, Lloyd Rees and others to create the first harbour artwork celebrating the picturesque working harbour. The title of this guided walk, ‘Last chance to see’ comes from a 2011 painting by local artist Cynthia Lang, created in the context of plans to develop a super yacht marina on the Woodley’s boat shed site. Then, the future for Berrys Bay was uncertain despite the opposition of local residents and North Sydney Council to the scale of the development proposal. The project was rejected in 2016 but changes to the foreshore are still anticipated.
Dr Ian Hoskins has worked as an academic and public historian in Sydney for 25 years during which time he taught US history at University of Sydney, worked as a curator at the Powerhouse Museum and, since 2003, has been the North Sydney Historian. His book Sydney Harbour: A History won the Queensland Premier’s Literary Prize for History in 2010. Coast: a history of the NSW edge won the NSW Premier’s History Prize for Local and Regional History in 2014.
When: Sunday 19 November 2017, 2:00-4:30pm
Where: Meet at The Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability, 2 Balls Head Drive, Waverton
Cost: AGHS Members $20, General $30, Students $5. Includes light refreshments. Bookings essential.
Contact: David Low 0407 464 876 or 02 9943 1456, or aghssydney@gmail.com