User Profile

Jenny McConchie

‘A million ways to remember mother’

‘A million ways to remember mother’ was the newspaper slogan used to draw shoppers into Anthony Horderns for their 1963 Mother’s Day Sale. Featured items included; tomboy spotted flannella pyjamas ($4.99) and brunch coat with satin bow...

Jenny McConchie

May 2025

Clubs & Community

Living Large: Exhibition shows off city’s big things

Towering above the skyline, the smoke stack at Port Kembla was opened in 1965. Measuring 200m in height and weighing 14,000 tons, it is part of the bigger side of our city being celebrated in the Wollongong City Library Living Large exhibition...

Jenny McConchie

July 2024

History

Local history collection charts vital service at Coledale Hospital

You can find thousands more photos and stories in Wollongong City Libraries’ online catalogue

Jenny McConchie

June 2024

History

Postcard from the Red Baron’s plane

By Local Studies librarian Jenny McConchie When German flying ace the Red Baron was shot down by Australian soldiers in World War I, Ernest Tibbetts from Corrimal was among those who witnessed the event. This postcard (pictured), which he sent to...

Jenny McConchie

May 2024

History

Swimming in the 1800s – a question of modesty

In the 1800s swimming in public in little or no clothing was taboo. Laws in 1870 forbade bathing in public between the hours of 8am and 7pm. Solution – the creation of segregated bathing areas. One such pool was the Nuns Baths or Chain baths...

Jenny McConchie

February 2024

History

First Stay-In at Corrimal Colliery

Haggard and unshaven striking miners emerged from their five day stay-in at Corrimal Colliery to the cheers of their wives and children. They were part of the first ever stay-in of miners at a South Coast Mine. The cause? A cup of tea. In 1957 a new...

Jenny McConchie

October 2023

History

The daily commute: from dodging sharks to bus rides

Men have to pass across the mouth of Tom Thumb Lagoon, sometimes 2 or 3 times a day and run the risk of drowning or being taken by sharks! This was the statement made by a deputation of Wollongong residence meeting with the NSW Minister for Public...

Jenny McConchie

July 2023

History

Beautiful by day, haunted by night

Is the Wollongong Breakwater Lighthouse really haunted? Wollongong City Library staff looked at information about two potential ghosts. William Edwards, the first harbour pilot at Wollongong, guided thousands of ships in and out of the port without...

Jenny McConchie

June 2023

Clubs & Community

Looking on the sunny side at Dapto

Image shows Rhombic aerials with receivers hut in the background. Photo: P39933 from the collections of Wollongong City Libraries By Local Studies librarian Jenny McConchie You may be surprised to know that in 1952 our city was leading the way for...

Jenny McConchie

May 2023

History

Glamour at the beach, North Wollongong style

Visiting the beach has always been a popular past-time. Seventeen beaches stretch out along Wollongong’s shoreline, making a visit to the beach a possibility for the majority of locals. However, while most of us don’t stroll along the sand fully...

Jenny McConchie

February 2023