2PM – SATURDAY 14TH JANUARY 2012
“Exploring the Dictionary of Sydney”
Trudy Holdsworth, the inaugural President of COSHA, is now involved inthe compiling of the Dictionary of Sydney. She will talk about progress on the development of this major record of the history and social structure of Sydney and will demonstrate to members how the information in the Dictionary can be accessed and interpreted. As the Dictionary develops it will become a primary source of information for history researchers and those who simply want to learn more about Australia’s first city.
Venue: Sydney Mechanics School of Arts
280 Pitt Street, Sydney
$2 Subscription Charge
No bookings required
2PM SATURDAY 4TH FEBRUARY 2012 
“Quong Tart: High Tea and Scottish Ditties”
NOTE EARLIER DATE AS PART OF CHINESE NEW YEAR PROGRAM
Laila Ellmoos, a Historian with the City of Sydney will speak to us about ‘Quong Tart:High Tea and Scottish Ditties’. Mei Quong Tart was a leading nineteenth century Sydney merchant and importer from China. He had a network of tea rooms in the Sydney Arcade, the Royal Arcade and King Street. His crowning success was the ‘Elite Hall’ in the Queen Victoria Market. He worked for social causes both within and outside the Chinese community and was in constant demand as a speaker at social and charitable functions. His Scottish songs and recitations mingled with quaint wit guaranteed full attendances.
Venue: Sydney Mechanics School of Arts
280 Pitt Street, Sydney
$2 Subscription Charge
No bookings required
2PM SATURDAY 19TH MARCH 2012 
A History of “Circus Oz” and
"The Flying Fruit Fly” Circuses
Lorraine Hughes, one of the co-founders, will speak about this not-for-profit company that for 30 years has played an important role in the development of contemporary circus in Australia. Flying Fruit Fly is Australia’s only full time circus training institution for children.
Today its graduates are working, teaching and performing in many new and emerging professional companies here and abroad.
Venue: Sydney Mechanics School of Arts
280 Pitt Street, Sydney
$2 Subscription Charge
No bookings required
2PM SATURDAY 14TH APRIL 2012 
NATIONAL TRUST FESTIVAL
"Motorised Mayhem -
remaking Sydney's streets for the modern world"
The advent of the motor car dramatically changed Sydney's urban environment. Streets were widened and pedestrians relegated to narrow pavements.
Blockboys and bootblacks made way for bowsers. Asphalt replaced woodblocks.
Dr Lisa Murray, City Historian, will explore the impact of the motor car on the shape, life and culture of Sydney's streets
Venue: Sydney Mechanics School of Arts
280 Pitt Street, Sydney
$2 Subscription Charge
No bookings required
2PM SATURDAY 12TH MAY 2012
An escorted tour around St Paul’s College, Sydney University.
St Paul’s College was founded in 1856 in connection with the Anglican church and is the oldest university college in Australia. St Paul’s is home to nearly 200 men from various cultural, social, geographic and religious backgrounds.
In 1854 a number of Anglicans, led by Chief Justice Sir Alfred Stephen, secured the passage of an Act opening the way for the foundation of St Paul’s as Sydney University’s first college. It was named after the nearby parish of St Paul’s, Redfern. Much advice was given by Bishop Selwyn. The original sandstone buildings were designed by the great Sydney architect, Edmund Thomas Blacket (1817-83), in neo-Gothic style, with a spacious Hall. A large, open quadrangle was essential to the plan. As in self-sufficient academic communities of Europe, the students were to live around their own open space as they still do today.
Venue: St Paul’s College
9 City Road Camperdown
Free Event
No bookings required
