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Invitations and Christmas Cards, 1879-1992
Description
Unique IDAS-0937DateBetween 1st January 1879 and 31st December 1992Date qualifiercircaFormatVolume - HardcoverDescriptionThis series contains invitation cards to various Council functions, and Christmas cards, pasted into scrapbook volumes.
Some of the volumes also contain related correspondence, programs, and entree cards. It is not clear when the volumes were started, but it is likely it was around 1934 because of the major events that took place with the Royal Visit of that year, and it is from around this period that the collection of cards begins to become more complete.
The cards include invitations to fancy dress balls in 1879, the opening of the Centennial Hall and the Queen Victoria Building, Federation Celebrations, the opening of the Domain Baths, naming and opening of various community centres, the Waratah Festivals, unveiling of monuments statues and fountains, and the opening of Town Hall House.
The Christmas cards date from 1913 to 1915, and from 1931 to 1992. They are not signed but are dated. In the back part of the first volume, Christmas cards from other cities and visiting ships addressed to the Lord Mayor have been pasted. The volumes also contain menus from various Christmas functions and some official invitations.
This record series is 'live' and continues to be added to by the Protocol Unit in the Office of the Lord Mayor.
Below is a list of some of the invitations contained in each volume:
Volume 1: Invitation Cards from 1879, 1888-1889, 1897-1898, 1901-1911, 1913, 1915, 1917, 1919-1920, 1922, 1924, 1925, 1927, 1929-1946. This includes programs for fancy dress balls given in 1879, invitation from the Mayor of Melbourne to the opening of the Centennial International Exhibition, invitation cards and program for the opening of the Centennial Hall in 1889, the opening of the Queen Victoria Building in 1898, Commonwealth Federation Celebrations in 1901, Empire Day Celebrations, opening of the Domain Baths in 1908, visit of the Prince of Wales in 1920, completion of the Harbour Bridge in 1932, visit of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester in 1934, Coronation Celebrations in 1937, and the 150th Anniversary Celebrations in 1938.
Volume 2: Invitation Cards from 3 February 1947 to 24 February 1958. Includes invitations to meet Helen Keller, Sir Laurence and Lady Olivier, the laying of the memorial tablet at the E S Marks Athletic Field Moore Park, Commonwealth of Australia Jubilee Celebrations, official opening of the Frank Green Library at Paddington in 1952, Royal Visit in 1954, opening of the Ladies Rest Centre in Hyde Park in 1954, the Elizabeth Healey Rest Area in Ultimo in 1954, the Victoria Park Swimming Pool in 1954, the Esme Hackett Memorial Hall in 1955, the Anthony Doherty Centre in 1956, the Centenary of Responsible Government in NSW in 1956, the opening of the Kent Street Car Park in 1956, Glebe Branch of the Library in 1956, Maternal and Infant Welfare Centre in Paddington in 1956, opening of the Joseph Sargeant Children’s Centre in Erskineville in 1956, launch of public appeal for Sydney Opera House funds in 1957, Waratah Spring Festivals, Esme Hackett Memorial Hall extension in 1957, Welfare Centre No 1 in Redfern in 1957, and the Reg Cope Grandstand in February 1958.
Volume 3: Invitation Cards from 28 February 1958 to 1 April 1970. Includes Waratah Spring Festivals, Welfare Centre No 2 in Paddington in 1958, the opening of the Prince Alfred Park Swimming Pool and Ice Skating Rink in 1958, opening of the Florence Bartley Library in 1959, Welfare Centre No 3 in Newtown in 1959, opening of the Camperdown Community Recreation Centre in 1959, the Harry Jensen Welfare Centre Millers Point in 1959, opening of Welfare Centre No 5 in Redfern in 1959, opening of the Grandstand at Trumper Oval in Paddington in 1960, opening of the Harry Burland Welfare Centre in Darlington in 1960, handing over the F J Walker Family Fountain in Hyde Park in 1961, the opening of the Domain Car Park in Kings Cross in 1961, opening of the Busby Bore Fountain in Hyde Park in 1962, the Fragrance Garden in Hyde Park in 1962, the Royal Visit in 1963, opening of the Catherine Sloss Library in Woolloomooloo in 1963, the Gordon Ibbett Welfare Centre in Waterloo in 1963, opening of the Goulburn Street Parking Station in 1963, opening of the Tom Foster Welfare Centre in Newtown in 1964, opening of the Staff Dental Clinic in 1964, opening of the Chrissie Cotter Hall in Camperdown in 1965, the opening of the Arthur (Paddy) Gray Recreation Centre in Glebe in 1965, the Victoria Alice Lambkin Centre in Glebe in 1965, the naming of the E J Ward Centre in Paddington in 1965, the Hilda Booler Kindergarten in Glebe in 1965, the Alexandria Welfare Centre in 1965, the Burland Community Hall in Newtown in 1965, the naming of the Frank Dixon Grandstand in Paddington in 1965, Heffron Hall in East Sydney in 1966, Ron Williams Welfare Centre
in Redfern in 1966, the Daniel Dawson Rest area in Alexandria in 1966, naming of the Richie King Flats in Redfern in 1967, naming of Lake Northam in Victoria Park in 1967, the opening of the Reginald Murphy Centre in Kings Cross in 1967, the Sid Fegan Welfare and Teenage Centre in 1967, unveiling of the Foundation Stone of the Domain Baths in 1967, Sydney San Francisco Sister City in 1968, and the Royal Visit in 1970.
Volume 4 Invitation Cards from 20 April 1970 to 1982. Includes the opening of Martin Place in 1971, Waratah Festivals, unveiling of foundation stone Town Hall House 1973, the opening of Sydney Square in 1976, opening of Town Hall House in 1977, opening of Kent Street Parking Garage in 1977, opening of the Surry Hills Childcare Centre in 1977, opening of Community Resource Centre in Kings Cross in 1977, the presentation of the A R Bluett Memorial Award in 1977, opening of Stage V of Martin Place in 1977, to meet the City Organist Robert Ampt in 1978, opening of Stages III and IV of Martin Place in 1979, opening of the Kings Cross Police Station in 1979, opening of the Ultimo Community Resource Centre in 1979, opening of the Chalmers Street Streetscape in 1979, laying of the Portsmouth Granite Plinth in 1980, opening of Dixon Street Mall in 1980, and the unveiling of Bonds of Friendship Sculpture in 1980.
Volume 7 Invitation cards from 27 August 1982 to 22 December 1992. Includes the opening of the Cardinal Gilroy Memorial Garden, completion of the grand organ restoration program, setting of the foundation stone of the Ultimo Housing Project, granting of freedom of the City to Sydney Eastern Corps St John Ambulance Brigade, the naming of Whitlam Square, naming of Nagoya Gardens, opening of the Red Kangaroo enclosure at Taronga Zoo, freedom of entry to the Royal NSW Lancers, in honour of Vietnam Veterans, opening of the Queen Victoria Building Bicentennial Plaza, unveiling of the sculpture "Angled Wheels of Fortune" by Dennis Wolanski in Fitzroy gardens, launch of the Breakthrough Foundation, unveiling of Lawrence Beck's bust of Lloyd Rees, opening of Jessie Street Gardens, presentation of the keys of the City to Joan Sutherland, re-opening of the Hyde Park Family Centre, Sesquicentenary celebrations, launch of Shirley Fitzgerald's book "Sydney 1842-1992", launch of the green azalea named "Sydney Sesqui", re-opening of the Abraham Mott Gymnasium,
Relationship summaryCREATED BY: Civic and Public Affairs Department AG-0009 (14/06/1984 to 31/12/1988)
CREATED BY: Parks and Recreations Department AG-0010 (01/01/1948 to 14/06/1984)
CREATED BY: Town Clerks Department AG-0040 (01/01/1934 to 17/05/1948)
CREATED BY: Civic Affairs AG-0030 (01/01/1989 to 22/12/1992) RELATED TO: Ceremonial events and civic occasions AY-56 (01/01/1879) LanguageEnglish (eng)
Some of the volumes also contain related correspondence, programs, and entree cards. It is not clear when the volumes were started, but it is likely it was around 1934 because of the major events that took place with the Royal Visit of that year, and it is from around this period that the collection of cards begins to become more complete.
The cards include invitations to fancy dress balls in 1879, the opening of the Centennial Hall and the Queen Victoria Building, Federation Celebrations, the opening of the Domain Baths, naming and opening of various community centres, the Waratah Festivals, unveiling of monuments statues and fountains, and the opening of Town Hall House.
The Christmas cards date from 1913 to 1915, and from 1931 to 1992. They are not signed but are dated. In the back part of the first volume, Christmas cards from other cities and visiting ships addressed to the Lord Mayor have been pasted. The volumes also contain menus from various Christmas functions and some official invitations.
This record series is 'live' and continues to be added to by the Protocol Unit in the Office of the Lord Mayor.
Below is a list of some of the invitations contained in each volume:
Volume 1: Invitation Cards from 1879, 1888-1889, 1897-1898, 1901-1911, 1913, 1915, 1917, 1919-1920, 1922, 1924, 1925, 1927, 1929-1946. This includes programs for fancy dress balls given in 1879, invitation from the Mayor of Melbourne to the opening of the Centennial International Exhibition, invitation cards and program for the opening of the Centennial Hall in 1889, the opening of the Queen Victoria Building in 1898, Commonwealth Federation Celebrations in 1901, Empire Day Celebrations, opening of the Domain Baths in 1908, visit of the Prince of Wales in 1920, completion of the Harbour Bridge in 1932, visit of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester in 1934, Coronation Celebrations in 1937, and the 150th Anniversary Celebrations in 1938.
Volume 2: Invitation Cards from 3 February 1947 to 24 February 1958. Includes invitations to meet Helen Keller, Sir Laurence and Lady Olivier, the laying of the memorial tablet at the E S Marks Athletic Field Moore Park, Commonwealth of Australia Jubilee Celebrations, official opening of the Frank Green Library at Paddington in 1952, Royal Visit in 1954, opening of the Ladies Rest Centre in Hyde Park in 1954, the Elizabeth Healey Rest Area in Ultimo in 1954, the Victoria Park Swimming Pool in 1954, the Esme Hackett Memorial Hall in 1955, the Anthony Doherty Centre in 1956, the Centenary of Responsible Government in NSW in 1956, the opening of the Kent Street Car Park in 1956, Glebe Branch of the Library in 1956, Maternal and Infant Welfare Centre in Paddington in 1956, opening of the Joseph Sargeant Children’s Centre in Erskineville in 1956, launch of public appeal for Sydney Opera House funds in 1957, Waratah Spring Festivals, Esme Hackett Memorial Hall extension in 1957, Welfare Centre No 1 in Redfern in 1957, and the Reg Cope Grandstand in February 1958.
Volume 3: Invitation Cards from 28 February 1958 to 1 April 1970. Includes Waratah Spring Festivals, Welfare Centre No 2 in Paddington in 1958, the opening of the Prince Alfred Park Swimming Pool and Ice Skating Rink in 1958, opening of the Florence Bartley Library in 1959, Welfare Centre No 3 in Newtown in 1959, opening of the Camperdown Community Recreation Centre in 1959, the Harry Jensen Welfare Centre Millers Point in 1959, opening of Welfare Centre No 5 in Redfern in 1959, opening of the Grandstand at Trumper Oval in Paddington in 1960, opening of the Harry Burland Welfare Centre in Darlington in 1960, handing over the F J Walker Family Fountain in Hyde Park in 1961, the opening of the Domain Car Park in Kings Cross in 1961, opening of the Busby Bore Fountain in Hyde Park in 1962, the Fragrance Garden in Hyde Park in 1962, the Royal Visit in 1963, opening of the Catherine Sloss Library in Woolloomooloo in 1963, the Gordon Ibbett Welfare Centre in Waterloo in 1963, opening of the Goulburn Street Parking Station in 1963, opening of the Tom Foster Welfare Centre in Newtown in 1964, opening of the Staff Dental Clinic in 1964, opening of the Chrissie Cotter Hall in Camperdown in 1965, the opening of the Arthur (Paddy) Gray Recreation Centre in Glebe in 1965, the Victoria Alice Lambkin Centre in Glebe in 1965, the naming of the E J Ward Centre in Paddington in 1965, the Hilda Booler Kindergarten in Glebe in 1965, the Alexandria Welfare Centre in 1965, the Burland Community Hall in Newtown in 1965, the naming of the Frank Dixon Grandstand in Paddington in 1965, Heffron Hall in East Sydney in 1966, Ron Williams Welfare Centre
in Redfern in 1966, the Daniel Dawson Rest area in Alexandria in 1966, naming of the Richie King Flats in Redfern in 1967, naming of Lake Northam in Victoria Park in 1967, the opening of the Reginald Murphy Centre in Kings Cross in 1967, the Sid Fegan Welfare and Teenage Centre in 1967, unveiling of the Foundation Stone of the Domain Baths in 1967, Sydney San Francisco Sister City in 1968, and the Royal Visit in 1970.
Volume 4 Invitation Cards from 20 April 1970 to 1982. Includes the opening of Martin Place in 1971, Waratah Festivals, unveiling of foundation stone Town Hall House 1973, the opening of Sydney Square in 1976, opening of Town Hall House in 1977, opening of Kent Street Parking Garage in 1977, opening of the Surry Hills Childcare Centre in 1977, opening of Community Resource Centre in Kings Cross in 1977, the presentation of the A R Bluett Memorial Award in 1977, opening of Stage V of Martin Place in 1977, to meet the City Organist Robert Ampt in 1978, opening of Stages III and IV of Martin Place in 1979, opening of the Kings Cross Police Station in 1979, opening of the Ultimo Community Resource Centre in 1979, opening of the Chalmers Street Streetscape in 1979, laying of the Portsmouth Granite Plinth in 1980, opening of Dixon Street Mall in 1980, and the unveiling of Bonds of Friendship Sculpture in 1980.
Volume 7 Invitation cards from 27 August 1982 to 22 December 1992. Includes the opening of the Cardinal Gilroy Memorial Garden, completion of the grand organ restoration program, setting of the foundation stone of the Ultimo Housing Project, granting of freedom of the City to Sydney Eastern Corps St John Ambulance Brigade, the naming of Whitlam Square, naming of Nagoya Gardens, opening of the Red Kangaroo enclosure at Taronga Zoo, freedom of entry to the Royal NSW Lancers, in honour of Vietnam Veterans, opening of the Queen Victoria Building Bicentennial Plaza, unveiling of the sculpture "Angled Wheels of Fortune" by Dennis Wolanski in Fitzroy gardens, launch of the Breakthrough Foundation, unveiling of Lawrence Beck's bust of Lloyd Rees, opening of Jessie Street Gardens, presentation of the keys of the City to Joan Sutherland, re-opening of the Hyde Park Family Centre, Sesquicentenary celebrations, launch of Shirley Fitzgerald's book "Sydney 1842-1992", launch of the green azalea named "Sydney Sesqui", re-opening of the Abraham Mott Gymnasium,
Relationship summaryCREATED BY: Civic and Public Affairs Department AG-0009 (14/06/1984 to 31/12/1988)
CREATED BY: Parks and Recreations Department AG-0010 (01/01/1948 to 14/06/1984)
CREATED BY: Town Clerks Department AG-0040 (01/01/1934 to 17/05/1948)
CREATED BY: Civic Affairs AG-0030 (01/01/1989 to 22/12/1992) RELATED TO: Ceremonial events and civic occasions AY-56 (01/01/1879) LanguageEnglish (eng)
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Identification and Arrangement
Source system ID937System of arrangementChronological
Relationships
Creating agenciesCivic AffairsTown Clerk's DepartmentParks and Recreations DepartmentCivic and Public Affairs DepartmentRelated activitiesCeremonial events and civic occasions
Invitations and Christmas Cards, 1879-1992 (01/01/1879 - 31/12/1992), [AS-0937]. City of Sydney Archives, accessed 11 Feb 2026, https://archives.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/63491