Unique IDAG-0244DescriptionOn 8 September, 1931, the Sydney Carnival Week Executive was appointed at a public meeting in the Town Hall, with the support of the New South Wales State Government, the chairmanship of the Lord Mayor of Sydney as well as financial assistance of private businesses. The Committee was to arrange a week of activities to commemorate the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but was operated separately to the New South Wales Government Bridge Week Committee which managed the formal Opening event.
In July 1932, the Works Committee of the Council recommended that the members of the Sydney Carnival Week Executive be reinstated as a group in order to organise an annual gala week immediately prior to the opening of the Royal Show, amongst other activities. The group was incorporated as the Citizens of Sydney Organising Committee under the Companies Act 1899, a not for profit company with responsibility to conduct celebrations and festivals. It functioned as a co-ordinating factor between the Commonwealth and State Governments in the conduct of celebrations and festivals of a public nature.
It organised celebrations for:
-the first City of Sydney Eisteddfod Festival Week in 1933;
-the Celebrations attending the first visit of his Royal Highness the Duke Gloucester in 1934; and
-the Jubilee of King George V in 1935.
The City of Sydney Eisteddfod Festival Week of 1933 grew into an annual event which outlived the Committee and continues to be held today under the auspices of the Sydney Eisteddfod.
The Committee led the organisation of a full year of celebrations to mark the 150th Anniversary Celebrations of Australia in 1938.
It also organised a presentation to the crew of the H.M.A.S Sydney (II) upon its return to the City in 1941.
During World War II, the Committee’s activities were scaled back. From 1942 to 1945, no Sydney Eisteddfod was held, due to the impacts of World War II. A Victory Eisteddfod was held in 1946, featuring 15,662 local entrants performing in more than 20 venues.
The Committee co-operated with the New South Wales Government in organising the annual Empire Day Observance throughout the War, at least until 1945.
On 7 December, 1949, the intention of the Eisteddfod to incorporate was advertised in the Sydney Morning Herald. In January 1950, the Eisteddfod’s Memorandum and Articles of Association were approved by the Department of Justice and the Registrar-General and The Citizen’s of Sydney Organising Committee was placed into liquidation.
In 2005, the City of Sydney Archives received the archives of the Citizen’s of Sydney Organising Committee. CreationInformally from 1931, formally incorporated under the Companies Act 1898 from 1932AbolitionPlaced into liquidation in January 1950
Start date8th September 1931End date qualifiermonth & year onlyEnd dateBetween 1st January 1950 and 30th January 1950Relationship legacy dataRELATED TO: Sydney Eisteddfod FN-0032 (31/12/1932 to 30/01/1950)
RELATED TO: Ceremonial events and civic occasions FN-0020 (08/09/1931 to 30/01/1950) Source System ID244
Citizens of Sydney Organising Committee [AG-0244]. City of Sydney Archives, accessed 18 Dec 2024, https://archives.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/62679
