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First Nations Places
The City Archives have drawn together on this page records relating to the many spaces in the built environment that are of significance to First Nations people. They include photographs and plans of sites at which events occurred, or from where organisations operated, such as:
- The Government Boatsheds, on the eastern side of Circular Quay at Bennelong Point, an Aboriginal camp from 1879-1881
- The Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs, 810-812 George Street Sydney, established December 1964 to provide housing, employment, education, welfare, legal, medical and financial assistance to Aboriginal people living in Sydney. The foundation purchased the building 1966, and disbanded in 1977, and operated a social club from 61-65 George Street Redfern in the 1970s.
- Tranby College, 13 Mansfield Street Glebe, the Co-operative for Aborigines Ltd was established in 1962 and since then it has become an independent, not-for-profit benevolent society.
- Australia Hall, 150-152 Elizabeth Street Sydney, site of the 26 January 1938 Day of Mourning.
- Aboriginal Medical Service operated from 193 and 171 Regent Street in the early 1970s, and from 1977 in the St Vincents’ building at 36 Turner Street Redfern.
- The terraces at 27-33 Cope (formerly Botany) Street and neighbouring building at 31-33, were the site of Radio Redfern, an art and cultural space including Black Theatre, a hostel for boys, and was used by the Aboriginal Children's Youth Organisation. The Aboriginal Dance Theatre (ADTR) operated from the Renwick Street address. The site was redeveloped into the current 27-31 Cope Street radio station and cultural centre.
- Reconciliation Park, George, William and James Streets Redfern, was named in 1997 for the movement for Aboriginal reconciliation.
- Wyanga, 35 Cope (formerly Botany) Street, provides home care and residential accommodation for Aboriginal Elders from Redfern and the eastern suburbs, the old plumbing shop was purchased by the Indigenous Land Corporation in 2005 and renovated as a permanent home for Wyanga and its residents. The building features the Mission Boy Dreams mural, based on an etching by Wiradjuri artist Roy Kennedy, depicting his memories of the Warangesda Mission.
- Aboriginal Housing Company, the first properties occupied by the Aboriginal Housing Company in 1972 were properties in Louis Street that had been purchased by IBK Constructions and slated for re-development.
- Redfern Post Office, 119 Redfern Street, purchased by the City as part of the Eora Journey project to progress Council’s commitment to providing a culturally safe, local Aboriginal knowledge and culture centre in Redfern to practice and share First Nations cultures.
- Aboriginal Legal Service, the first community controlled, free legal-aid centre with a shop front in Australia, established in 1970, originally operated from 142 Regent Street (https://www.alsnswact.org.au/about)
- Redfern Town Hall
- NCIE, the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, formerly Redfern Public School
- Redfern Oval, training ground for the Redfern All Blacks.
- Redfern Park, site of former Prime Minister Paul Keating's Redfern speech.
The kinds of records held by the archives are highlighted here, however, these are not exhaustive. You may find more items relating to First Nations places 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.
CollectionFirst Nations