Sketch of Annandale … Close enough for locals, confusing for everyone else
Editor’s Note
I’ve been tinkering with the format this week, trimming sections and shifting the photos to the bottom. Last week’s issue might’ve run away with me a little, so this one’s a leaner read. As always please provide any feedback you may have :)
Big thanks to Cisca, Charlie and Jesse for sending in their photos, the Troll loves seeing Annandale through your eyes.
Do you know how the name Annandale would have originally been pronounced? Read on and please correct me if I am wrong.
How Annandale Got Its Name
In 1793, Lieutenant George Johnston was granted land between Whites Creek and Johnston’s Creek, naming it Annandale after his birthplace, Annan, Scotland (I am guessing this would have been pronounced ANN-un, not Ann-ANN). With Esther Abrahams, a First Fleet convict, he cleared the turpentine and ironbark forest to build Annandale House (1799) and an estate with a bakery, smithy, slaughterhouse, butchery, stores, vineyard and orangerie. Johnston died in 1823 and Esther managed the property until her death in 1846.
By the 1870s, John Young’s company transformed the farm into suburbia. He offered a £150 prize for the best subdivision plan. Ferdinand Reuss Jr. proposed the grid which you can still make out today: grand Johnston Street at 100 feet wide, Annandale Street at 80ft, and the surrounding area with a 66-foot frontage and street width.
Source: Museums Victoria Collections “Annandale Farm, then suburb” (link)
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Village News
Locals float Trafalgar Street closure for next Halloween
After another huge Halloween turnout, a few neighbours are wondering if it’s time to close off Trafalgar Street next year and make it an official trick-or-treat zone. One local has already reached out to Inner West Councillor Kerrie Fergusson. (Source Annandale 2038 Facebook group)
Polished planks but no ferry in sight
It’s unclear whether the fresh planks on the ‘Annandale wharf’ are a sign of progress or just a consolation prize for the ferry service the NSW Government promised Annandale two years ago. The latest parliamentary update about the ferry route was from March which stated that Transport for NSW is still “reviewing the vessel, infrastructure and timetabling requirements.” (Parliamentary update link, petition link). (Source Local Resident)
Suspicious activity reported on Young Street
A local resident reported a group of men checking for unlocked cars on Young Street, between Hutchinson and Piper streets, around 3 am this week. The resident said they shared footage with police, who were seen patrolling the area about 20 minutes later. (Source Annandale 2038 Facebook group)
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Get out of the house (Fri 7 Nov – Thu 13 Nov)
ALL WEEKEND
Camperdown | Exhibition: Lost Gardens – Chrissie Cotter Gallery. Artist Amy Jones presents a reflective show exploring memory and natural spaces. 11 am–4 pm.
Leichhardt | Exhibition: I am Gurgun – Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative. Retrospective of Bundjalung artist Dr Bronwyn Bancroft AM, curated by Kyra Kum-Sing. 10 am–4 pm.
Glebe | Art Exhibition by Judy Garb Weiss and Sue Rawlinson – The Shop Gallery. Dual exhibition exploring beauty, memory and perception through painting. 11 am–5 pm.
FRIDAY 7 NOV
Glebe | Knitting Group at Glebe Library – Glebe Library. Fortnightly knitting meetup for all skill levels. Bring your own materials or use library resources. Free. 1:30–3:30 pm.
Glebe | Club de Tango: La Milonga – Glebe Town Hall. Social tango night with music, dancing and classes for all levels. Tea, coffee and snacks included. Tickets $25. 7:30–11:45 pm.
Camperdown | Blood Incantation + Secret Chiefs 3 – Manning Bar. U.S. death metal meets avant-garde sounds in a rare Sydney stop. Tickets from $88. 8 pm.
SATURDAY 8 NOV
Camperdown | Damun Playground Concept Plan – Camperdown Park. Community drop-in to view and discuss plans for playground upgrades. 8:30–10:30 am.
Leichhardt | Inner West Play Reading Club: The Almighty Sometimes – Leichhardt Library. Monthly reading group explores Kendall Feaver’s acclaimed play. 11 am–1:30 pm.
Glebe | Auslan and English Storytime – Glebe Library. Inclusive bilingual storytime for children aged 3–5 years. Free. 11:30 am–12 pm.
Annandale | Liz Martin Band with Inga Liljeström – Annandale Creative Arts Centre. Atmospheric live performance blending poetic vocals and layered arrangements. 8 pm.
Leichhardt | No Fun At All (Sweden) – Crowbar. Swedish punk favourites bring their high-energy tour to Sydney. Tickets from $56. 7:30 pm.
SUNDAY 9 NOV
Annandale | St Brendan’s Fete – St Brendan’s Memorial Hall. Community day with BBQ, coffee, games, petting zoo and more. 10:30 am–1:30 pm.
Leichhardt | A-League Men’s: Sydney FC vs Macarthur FC – Leichhardt Oval. Family-friendly Sunday football match. 3–5 pm.
MONDAY 10 NOV
Camperdown | Monday Night Confessions – Church Street Studios. Live improvised jazz in an intimate studio space. 8 pm.
WEDNESDAY 12 NOV
Lilyfield | Mums Get Active Postnatal Pilates – Jimmy Little Community Centre. Instructor-led postnatal session to strengthen core and pelvic floor. 8:30–9:30 am.
Annandale | Sounds Good Choir – Annandale Creative Arts Centre. Casual weekly choir where everyone’s welcome. 6–8 pm.
Leichhardt | Charlie’s 5 Week Trivia Megacomp – Crowbar. Five-week trivia showdown with prizes and banter. Free entry. 7 pm.
THURSDAY 13 NOV
Annandale | The Adventures of Prince Achmed – Music of Phillip Johnston – Johnston St Jazz. Live jazz score for the 1926 animated classic. Tickets from $30. 8 pm.
Annandale | The Shakesbeer Sessions: Twelfth Night – The Annandale Hotel. A 90-minute, pub-style Shakespeare performance by Bard’s Work. Tickets $32. 7:30–9:30 pm.
Leichhardt | Ladders On Tables | Disclosure – Crowbar. Trenton Woodley (Hands Like Houses) celebrates 15 years of music. Tickets from $49. 7 pm.
Leichhardt | HAUS Party #4 – Crowbar. DJs, live sets and drink specials in this late-night local party. Free entry. 8 pm.
🏡 Property Watch
Sales
| Address | Price | Beds | Baths | Garages | Land (sqm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/62A Trafalgar Street | $2.67 m | 3 | 2 | 2 | 245 |
| 15 View Street | $2.455 m | 3 | 2 | — | 123 |
| 221 Johnston Street | $2.075 m | 3 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 21 Breillat Street | $2.805 m | 4 | 2 | 1 | 146 |
DA activity
No new development notifications found in Annandale this week.
Pictures of the Week
Living dangerously, the Troll might bite, if not… the oncoming traffic
(photo by Charlie)
Purple magic continues to brighten the neighbourhood in November (photo by Cisca)
The Tawny Frogmouth chick is growing up :) (photo by Jesse)
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Sincerely,
Mark (resident of Annandale)