From the late 19th century Irish immigrant Richard Hayes Harnett Snr and his son opened up Mosman as a desirable place to live. Migrants flocked to Mosman and the boom times began.
Share the stories of a Belgian wool buyer, post Second World War immigrants and refugees, an Italian model and among the more recent migrants, Balmoral Bathers Pavilion owner and chef, Serge Dansereau.
Patrick and Ellen Leahy started their real estate business in Mosman in 1890 and it still exists today, in the same family, as P.Leahy Pty Ltd.
The story of the oldest business in Mosman comes alive with reminiscences from friends and family and over 200 images of early Mosman. Celebrate with P.Leahy Pty Ltd over 125 years of the bust and boom of Mosman real estate.
Audio Recording My name is Ian Campbell. My mother, Mavis Sykes, taught ballet in Mosman for a remarkable 70 years, between 1923 and 1993. This is her story. Birth and Immigration Vera Mavis Sykes was born in Auckland on 2 December 1909. She was known as, and only ever used, her second name, Mavis. She […]
Mavis Sykes (1909-1997), remembered as ‘Miss Sykes’, started teaching ballet in Mosman from the 1920s and went on to choreograph Mosman Musical Society productions and establish her own ballet school in Mosman where she taught till her retirement in 1993.
To celebrate and honour Mavis Sykes, her friends, former students and son
Diane Wachman, born and bred in Mosman, was also an active and integral member of the Festival of Mosman committee until 1997 and then her skills were snapped up by the newly formed Mosman Art Gallery.
Kenneth and Diane relive the Festivals of Mosman from 1981—1997, festivals that brought the Mosman community together and put Mosman on the map for arts, entertainment and shopping!
Kenneth Dryland was the director of the inaugural Festival of Mosman in 1981 and continued to direct this major event until 1997.
Diane Wachman was also an active and integral member of the Festival of Mosman committee during this period.
Together they relive the early years of the Festival, festivals that brought the Mosman community together and put Mosman on the map for arts, entertainment and shopping!
A visual story of Mosman through filmed interviews complemented by scanned images of materials from Mosman’s Local Studies Collection.
Mosman Faces is about people and places that make up the story of Mosman. Filmed interviews, complemented by photographs from Trace, the Local Studies Digital Archive, create a rich visual history of Mosman. Mosman’s story is ongoing and these stories bring it to life and preserve it for present and future generations.
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Unless otherwise indicated images and footage are from Mosman Library’s Local Studies Collection. Judy Gibson Courtesy of Judy Gibson Courtesy of Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and / or State Records NSW Courtesy of Sydney Tramway Museum Footage licence obtained through Thought Equity Motion John Hiscox Courtesy of John Hiscox Courtesy of […]
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