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The People’s House: Sydney Opera House at 50
Celebrating five decades of extraordinary performances and unforgettable moments at the Sydney Opera House
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The People’s House: Sydney Opera House at 50
Celebrating five decades of extraordinary performances and unforgettable moments at the Sydney Opera House
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We're on the road again, sharing our stories with the people of regional NSW
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Collections on Tour
We're on the road again, sharing our stories with the people of regional NSW
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Harold Blair, trailblazer
Wulli Wulli tenor Harold Blair AM was Australia’s first professionally trained Aboriginal opera singer. An honour he had to fight for.
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Harold Blair, trailblazer
Wulli Wulli tenor Harold Blair AM was Australia’s first professionally trained Aboriginal opera singer. An honour he had to fight for.
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For almost 15 years, a dedicated group of volunteers has gathered to sew, crochet, knit, embroider and stuff historically authentic soft furnishings for our houses
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Stitching for our house museums
For almost 15 years, a dedicated group of volunteers has gathered to sew, crochet, knit, embroider and stuff historically authentic soft furnishings for our houses
Read on
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Once word spread about the newly built Rose Seidler House in 1950, it was the ‘most talked about house in Sydney’
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A new way of living
Once word spread about the newly built Rose Seidler House in 1950, it was the ‘most talked about house in Sydney’
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7 Feb 1788 - Colony of NSW formally proclaimed

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On This Day
7 Feb 1788 - Colony of NSW formally proclaimed

#OnThisDay 7 February 1788, the Colony of New South Wales was formally proclaimed. The official ceremony was performed by Judge-Advocate David Collins and marked the effective commencement of the British colony. Captain Arthur Phillip assumed the Office of Governor.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (1998). 1998 Special article – The State of New South Wales – Timeline of History. Reproduced from New South Wales Year, 1998 (ABS Catalogue No. 130.1)

More on the History of the Office of the Colonial Secretary »

Behind the Scenes

In this episode Martyn highlights one of the most valuable and iconic parts of the State Archives collection: the Colonial Secretary's Correspondence. If you're researching someone who was a convict, free immigrant, someone who was naturalised, sent to gaol, or admitted to an asylum you may find references to them in these records.

Archives Behind the Scenes - Colonial Secretary's Correspondence

Online Indexes

Colonial Secretary's Papers 1788-1825Colonial Secretary's Main series of Letters ReceivedColonial Secretary's Letters relating to Land

Research Guides

Colonial Secretary: An OverviewColonial Secretary's Correspondence GuideColonial Secretary's Special Bundles

Learn from Home

Webinar: NSW Colonial Secretary’s Correspondence

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7 Feb 1788 - Colony of NSW formally proclaimed

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