Penrith City Library – The Makings of a City History Conference: River, Roads and Rail
Saturday 17 March 2007
9 am – 5 pm – Nepean Room Civic Centre, Penrith
Our 6th Annual Conference
Penrith City Library’s History Conference theme was ‘’River, Roads and Rail’ as this year we not only commemorate the Centenary of the opening of the Penrith Railway Bridge in 1907, we also celebrate 25 years of the Nepean Belle trading on the river.
The conference was held in the Nepean Room, which is located on the second floor of Penrith City Council’s Civic Centre, 601 High Street, Penrith. Mayor Councillor Pat Sheey launched the Conference.
Our Speakers this year
- Siobhan Lavelle, Historical Archaeologist, who enthralled us in 2003 with her vivid descriptions of life and times at Castlereagh, was our Keynote Speaker.
- Railway historian Neil Cram, spoke on the political machinations behind the construction of Victoria Bridge in 1867 and the Railway Bridge in 1907.
- Historian, Tim Crampton, presented a paper on the work of George William Evans, who was the surveyor of the first road across the Blue Mountains and the Great Divide.
- Lindsay Allen from State Records informed us of the vast resources, at our fingertips, that we can tap into when researching our local area.
- David Wakeling, fresh from the Nepean Belle, will provide us with an interesting insight into our boating history on the Nepean.
A cdrom of the Conference is available from Research Services.
Trade tables from local family history and historical groups were also available during the breaks throughout the day. We thank them for making their resources available for delegates. Stall holders included: Nepean Family History Society, Nepean and District Historical Society, Nepean District Historical Archaeology Group, Blue Mountains Family History Society, St Marys and District Historical Society.
Please contact Lorraine Stacker (lstack@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au ) orAlison Spencer (alisons@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au) if you wish to be placed on the mailing list for future Makings of a City History Conferences