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The Block

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Description

The City Archives have drawn together on this page records about The Block.

There has always been an Aboriginal presence in Redfern, it is centrally located, housing was once relatively cheap, and it was close to industry and jobs in South Sydney. During the 1930s Depression, many extended families moved to the area around Caroline, Eveleigh, Vine and Louis Streets, which became known as ‘The Block’. The local population continued to increase, especially following the 1967 Referendum on Citizenship Rights which saw the abolition of NSW’s reserve system, which put pressure on housing in Sydney. In the early 1970s, squatters occupied vacant terraces on The Block as a political and practical response to overcrowding and homelessness. The Aboriginal Housing Company was formed in 1973 by Aboriginal leaders and supporters. It bought the first six houses on The Block with a grant from the Whitlam Labor Government, and acquired the last house there in 1994. The Aboriginal Housing Company is now redeveloping and revitalising The Block as part of the Pemulwuy Project. (from Barani Barrabugu - yesterday tomorrow Sydney’s Aboriginal journey).

The kinds of records held by the archives are highlighted here, however, these are not exhaustive. You may find more items relating to The Block by using the search tool, or contacting the City Archives.

If you wish to use or share an item, please check the item for:

the copyright conditions
the 'Public access note' (in the descriptive text under Access).

The views expressed in these records may not reflect the City’s views, but rather those of the period in which they were created.

The City acknowledges the Gadigal of the Eora Nation as the Traditional Custodians of this place we now call Sydney, and we acknowledge their continued connection to Country. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging.

Sovereignty was never ceded - this always was and always will be Aboriginal Land.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this catalogue contains images and voices of people who have died. In some Aboriginal communities, seeing the names and photographs of dead people may cause sadness and distress, particularly to relatives of those people.

DateBetween 3rd May 1988 and 31st December 2004CollectionFirst Nations

Photograph

Terrace houses, Caroline Street Redfern, 2004

Terrace houses on Hugo Street Redfern, circa 1977

Rear of dilapidated houses in Hugo Street Redfern, 1955

Dilapidated houses in Hugo Street Redfern, 1955

Property on The Block, Eveleigh Street Redfern, 1988

Terrace houses on Eveleigh Street Redfern, 1988

Two guests at the farewell to Auntie Joyce Ingram, Eveleigh Street Redfern, 2004

Guest at the farewell for Auntie Joyce Ingram, Eveleigh Street Redfern, 2004

Auntie Joyce Ingram, Eveleigh Street Redfern, 2004

Kids in a bus on Caroline Street, circa 2003

Alex standing on Eveleigh Street Redfern, 2003

Lilian and Les, Eveleigh Street Redfern, 2003

Two little boys at the corner of Caroline and Eveleigh Streets Redfern, 2004

Australia Has A Black History, Eveleigh Street Redfern, circa 2003

Barbara's mother, Eveleigh Street Redfern, 2003

Man and woman in front of the mural on Eveleigh Street Redfern, circa 2003

Portrait of a man with flowers, Caroline Street Redfern, 2003

Portrait of a young woman on Eveleigh Street Redfern, 2003

Portrait of two men on Eveleigh Street Redfern, 2003

Portrait of two women on Eveleigh Street Redfern, 2003

Alan Murray, Eveleigh Street Redfern, circa 2003

Young man sitting in front of the mural on Eveleigh Street Redfern, circa 2003

Development & Building File

File - 94-100 Eveleigh Street Redfern - demolish, Aboriginal Housing Company, 1994-2001

File - 76-78 Eveleigh, 3-7, 41-59 Louis Street Redfern – Demolish houses, 2000-2001

File - D/2002/886 - 7-9, 35-39 Louis, 76, 80 Eveleigh Street Redfern - Demolish dwellings, 2002-2003

File - U97/00062 - 82-86, 90 Eveleigh Street Redfern - Demolish housing, 1997-1998

File - U97/00557 - 44, 50-56, 64-70, 76-78, 90 Eveleigh Street Redfern - Demolish housing, 1997-2000

File - U97/00878 - 90 Eveleigh Street Redfern - Demolition - Aboriginal Housing Company, 1997-1998

File - U98/00130 - 60 - 72 Eveleigh Street Redfern, Demolish - Aboriginal Housing Company, 1998-1999

Item

File - 36-42 Eveleigh Street Redfern, factory building for manufacture of boots and shoes, 1949-1950

Archival recording - 3 - 5 and 41 - 59 Louis Street Redfern, part of The Block, 2000

File - 36-42 Eveleigh Street Redfern, use as a gymnasium - Aboriginal Housing Company, 1982-1984

File - Vine and Eveleigh Streets, Redfern - new building, GR Gayleard, 1950-1952

Plan

Plan - 36-42 Eveleigh Street Redfern, renovation of first floor factory to gymnasium, 1983

Plan - 36-42 Eveleigh Street Redfern, Elouera signage, 1984

Plan - 36-42 Eveleigh Street Redfern, renovation of Aboriginal Housing Company offices, 1983

Map

City of Sydney - Building Surveyor's Detail Sheets, 1949-1972: Sheet 15 - Surry Hills

City of Sydney - Building Surveyor's Detail Sheets, 1949-1972: Sheet 14 - University

City of Sydney - Aerial Photographic Survey, 1949: Image 81

Books & Journals

Back on the block: Bill Simon's story

City website linksBarani, Sydney's Aboriginal HistoryBarani Barrabugu - yesterday tomorrow Sydney’s Aboriginal journeyHouse Histories - 36 Caroline Street Redfern

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The Block