In 2019, the Glebe Society celebrated its 50th anniversary by hosting the Glebe Society Community Festival. The Festival, which ran for eight days from 23-30 June, began with a fabulous Festival Launch Party at the Festival’s hub, the Harold Park Community Hall, Tramsheds Forest Lodge. An extensive exhibition – as well as tours, talks, theatrical performances and publication launches – covered just about every aspect of Glebe and Forest Lodge’s past, present and future.
This website is an archive of that incredible week in 2019. Browse to enjoy the memories, or dip into the archive to learn more about Glebe’s community, environment and heritage, and the Glebe Society’s role in fostering these.
Featured Items
Eight fabulous days!
The Glebe Society Management Committee gave a lot of thought to how to celebrate the ‘Golden Anniversary’ of the Glebe Society. Our first big decision was to hold a Community Festival for Glebe and Forest Lodge – not just something for members.
Glebe Society in Action
On display in this exhibition were a selection of photos and posters that provide a snapshot of the activities of the Glebe Society over its 50 year history.
The Glebe Environment
This display covered the environmental history of Glebe, from the days when the Wangal and Cadigal people of the Eora nation fished the waters of Blackwattle and Rozelle Bays.
Aboriginal Land: Glebe & Forest Lodge
People have lived in Glebe and Forest Lodge for thousands of years. Prior to the arrival of the first fleet, Aboriginal people lived on the shores of Blackwattle Creek and Johnstons Creek where they had access to food from the sea and to fresh water. The Aboriginal Land: Glebe & Forest Lodge display documented some tangible reminders of pre-contact Aboriginal occupation.
The Villas of Glebe and Forest Lodge, pre-1870
The Villas display explores the development of Glebe in the early nineteenth century. After thousands of years of Indigenous ownership and being briefly held by the Anglican church, large portions of The Glebe and Forest Lodge were sold to investors from 1828.
Radical Glebe
Glebe has had a radical history. Our panelists were at the forefront of several social activist movements based in Glebe in the 1960s and ’70s which brought about major change – social, cultural, environmental and political.
Glebe - Now & Then
Aerial views of present day Glebe and Forest Lodge including Blackwattle Bay Jubilee Park, the Light Rail, Harold Park, and Glebe Point Road, taken by drone. The video juxtaposes old photos of the Glebe community with present day images.
Publications & Printed Resources
A number of publications were produced especially for the Festival. As well as a Program and other supporting material, three meticulously-researched booklets were produced.
Glebe Society Timeline 1969-2019
A key exhibition item was the huge ‘Glebe Society 50 Years Timeline’ poster.
Acknowledgement of Country
The Glebe Society acknowledges the Wangal and Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of this land and pay our respects to the Elders both past and present.