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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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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
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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
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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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Go direct to State Archives online indexes Go direct to State Archives catalogue

3 Jan 1826 - a new Colonial Secretary arrived in Sydney

#OnThisDay 3 January 1826 Alexander Macleay arrived in Sydney onboard the Marquis of Hastings to take over the post of Colonial Secretary from Frederick Goulburn. Macleay introduced a new organisational system, based on provenance, to the correspondence of his office.This means that the letters were organised by government department and miscellaneous (such as private individuals).

Source:Salmon, M. (1910). Australian Pioneers. Hon. Alexander Macleay.Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW: 1895 – 1930)

Colonial Secretary Overview

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 Special Bundles Colonial Secretary's Correspondence Guide

Learn from Home

Webinar: NSW Colonial Secretary’s Correspondence

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3 Jan 1826 - a new Colonial Secretary arrived in Sydney

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