History Week

Welcome to History Week 5-13 September 2026. This year's theme is 'Keeping Stories'. 

Our libraries across the Inner West are digging into the tales that shaped this place, the wetlands under Marrickville, the rugby league club that built Glebe, and Sydney’s first recorded game of golf. There’s a memoir from a long time St Peters local, a new take on Australian childhood through kids’ eyes, and a workshop for young ones to draw their own streetscape. 

Come hear the stories that made the Inner West what it is.

This program is an official part of the annual state-wide celebration of History Week organised by the History Council of NSW.

Events

Registrations open Tuesday 18 August from 4pm.

Gumbramorra: Water, Place and People with Sue Castrique

History Week 2026 Gumbramorra. Book cover showing a sepia coloured photo of the Gumbramorra wetland. Water wetland with reflections of tree branches on the water.

Living Dangerously in the Inner West with Gloria Muir

History Week 2026 Living Dangerously in the Inner West by Gloria Muir. Image of an inner west alley way in the evening lit only by a street lamp post.

Glebe Dirty Reds: The Life, Death, and Rebirth of Australia's First League Club

Glebe District Rugby League Football Club 1908-1929 with Max Solling. Image of a large group of men from the football club.

Tracing Australia's First Golfers with Michael Sheret

History Week 2026 Tracing Australia's First Golfers. Image is a painting of rural landscape showing horses, farmland, distant houses in colonial Sydney.

Playtime with Dr Emily Gallagher and Vanessa Berry

History Week 2026 Playtime with Emily Gallagher. Image is the book cover showing an colourful illustration of children at play with a ball and a dog.

Streetscapes of Haberfield - Kids Activity with Antonia Pesenti

History Week 2026 Streetscapes of Haberfield. Image of an illustration of a typical brick inner west storefront with signs keys cut, trophy engraving, shoe repairs in bright yellow and green against a grey background.

The Federation House: Where It Really Came From with Mark Sabolch

Image shows a federation house red brick, red tile roof, a verandah, with yellow stucco facade.

Celebrate the birth, growth and evolution of rugby league

A black-and-white photo of a 1970s game of rugby league, played in heavy rain. A player has emerged from a scrum with the ball and is being challenged by an opponent. All players are partly covered in mud.

Callan Park People: Keeping Their Stories - Exhibition

Image of the front facade of the Kirkbride complex at Callan Park in Lilyfield

Callan Park People: Keeping Their Stories - Tour

Image is a row of buildings in the Callan Park complex in Lilyfield.
Aerial view of spiral artwork on path

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians the Gadigal and Wangal peoples of the Sydney Basin.

Opening hours

Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) 8:30am to 5pm

Phone

02 9392 5000

Mail

PO Box 14, Petersham NSW 2049

© 2026 Inner West Council