What’s On

2025 Events

Sunday 2 February 2025 10am - 4pm at Lydham Hall, 18 Lydham Avenue, Rockdale
Lydham Hall Historic House and Museum Open Day

Opera in the House
Guests will be mesmerised by the enchanting Mezzo Soprano Yasmin Arkinstall, singing operatic arias, musical theatre standards, and popera hits. With her angelic voice, this is a harmony of music and heritage not to be missed.
Starting at 11.30am. Free with entry.

Exclusive "High Tea Experience"
Both High Tea and Lydham Hall originated in the Victorian Era, making this the perfect place for the refined indulgence of a tantalising selection of sweet and savoury treats paired with fine teas and fresh coffee.
Book your seat to guarantee an afternoon of operatic and culinary delight.

Plan your visit.

Saturday 15 February 2025 2pm in the 3rd floor meeting room at Rockdale Library, 444-446 Princes Highway, Rockdale

Guest Speakers: SGHS members Bob and Laurel Horton - From Arncliffe to Bexley: A Historical Journey

Bexley's hidden treasures from the past, its grand houses and public buildings, are today overshadowed by the problem of traffic congestion.
Beginning as farms, today with multi-storied buildings, Arncliffe has a diverse and interesting history.

As members of the St Peters Cooks River History Group, Bob and Laurel research and present the history of people and places connected with St Peters, Sydenham, and Tempe.

Afterward, enjoy afternoon tea with a delightful selection of cakes, biscuits, and slices, including gluten-free choices. Prepared with the expertise of members from the Australian Culinary Federation.

Entry is free (gold coin donations gratefully accepted)

Books and DVDs for sale.

All welcome!

(image courtesy of Bayside Library)

Sunday 2 March 2025 10am - 4pm at Lydham Hall, 18 Lydham Avenue, Rockdale

Lydham Hall Historic House and Museum Open Day.

The St George Sutherland Scottish Pipe Band will be performing at 12pm for two 45-minute sessions.

Since 1946, the St George-Sutherland Scottish Pipe Band has played for marches, dances, tattoos and general entertainment.
The band plays traditional Scottish marches, strathspeys*, reels, and airs as well as modern tunes and Australian favourites.

Plan your visit.

*Slow graceful dance tunes originating around the early 1700s in the valley (Scottish Strath) of the River Spey in Scotland. Strathspeys are in a 4/4 time signature, slower than reels with a 2/2 time, and "airs" refer to the melodies.

Saturday 15 March 2025 2pm in the 3rd floor meeting room at Rockdale Library, 444-446 Princes Highway, Rockdale

Guest Speaker: Dr Mark St Leon - Sir Joseph Banks Hotel and the development and demise of Beaumont & Waller's Zoological and Botanical Gardens, Sydney’s first significant pleasure resort.

Fifty years after Sydney's foundation, Botany Bay still had a wild and disconsolate appearance, and the "cart track" from Sydney to Botany Bay was in a wretched state. Despite this, entrepreneur Thomas Kellett saw the area's potential. In 1840, Kellett began constructing a two-story stone inn at Banks Meadow, on a part of the Old Botany Road called Bunnerong Road, later renamed Botany Road. Initially called the Banks Inn, Kellett soon renamed it the Sir Joseph Banks Hotel. Along with hosting private dinners, piano recitals, wedding parties, and honeymooners, Kellett developed the location into a popular spot for bathing, boating and shooting. In January 1847, he leased the Sir Joseph Banks Hotel to William Beaumont, who took on the role of licensee. By September 1848, with his business partner James Waller, Beaumont had begun transforming the gardens and grounds into a pleasure resort, which became known as Beaumont & Waller’s Botanical and Zoological Gardens.

Dr Mark St Leon descends directly from the St Leons, Australia’s earliest family of entertainers. In 1991, Mark launched Australia's first national conference of circus people, the Circus Summit. He is the author of Circus: The Australian Story. Copies will be available for purchase at this event.

Afterward, enjoy afternoon tea with a delightful selection of cakes, biscuits, and slices, including gluten-free choices. Prepared with the expertise of members from the Australian Culinary Federation.

Entry is free (gold coin donations gratefully accepted)

Books and DVDs for sale.

All welcome!

(image courtesy of clipperarctic via Wikimedia Commons)

Sunday 6 April 2025 10am - 4pm at Lydham Hall, 18 Lydham Avenue, Rockdale