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UPDATE: We are accepting bookings for 2021
Discover some of the most extraordinary places on Sydney Harbour with our exciting program of free Community Talks for Probus Clubs, U3A, historical societies and community groups. Marrying archival and current images with historical facts and anecdotes, our speakers will revealed a side of our protected places you've never seen.
We continue to offer our three popular community talks: Extraordinary places on Sydney Harbour, Cockatoo Island: Heart of the Harbour and Tales from North Head Sanctuary. In addition, to mark the new year…we are adding a NEW presentation: The history of the Third Quarantine Cemetery.
Choose from four fascinating talks for your community group...
Our speaker will paint a vivid picture of our visitor destinations, including North Head Sanctuary (Manly), Headland Park (Mosman), Cockatoo Island (Sydney Harbour), Sub Base Platypus (North Sydney), Woolwich and Macquarie Lightstation (Vaucluse). Plus, you’ll gain fascinating insights into convict life on Cockatoo Island, the role of North Fort’s military fortifications during World War II, and more!
Our speaker will delve into the history of this one-time convict penal establishment, reformatory school and shipbuilding yard. Hear how the island’s convicts were shaped by harsh living and working conditions, how vulnerable boys were gathered from the streets of Sydney and taught trades, and how shipbuilders made Cockatoo Island the major shipbuilding and dockyard facility for the South West Pacific in WWII.
Our speaker will offer an in-depth look at North Head Sanctuary in Manly, delving into the military and quarantine history of this stunning coastal site as well as its unique flora and fauna. Hear tales of the soldiers who defended Sydney during World War II as well as the people who succumbed to the ravages of small pox, the plague and other epidemics and were interred at Third Quarantine Cemetery.
The Third Quarantine Cemetery at North Head Sanctuary, together with the nearby Quarantine Station, is included on Australia’s National Heritage List as a significant example of the nation’s evolving quarantine practices. The cemetery is probably Australia’s largest, most well-preserved quarantine cemetery. More than 240 people were buried here between 1881 and 1925. Hear the stories of those interred here including brave nurses, soldiers & locals who succumbed to the ravages of influenza, the bubonic plague, smallpox and scarlet fever.
If you intend to book a community talk for your group, please review the following information...
Before a booking is confirmed, groups must agree to the following Harbour Trust COVID-19 plan. Under this plan, groups must:
[Note: Our speakers will wear a face mask while not presenting and will arrive equipped with wipes and sanitiser to clean benches, microphones and other surfaces.]
“The Marsfield Probus wish to thank you for the morning we spent with your speaker and representative Marie. She delivered a very informative presentation with very good corresponding photos. Everybody was very impressed and we are considering a day trip to one of the places we were shown.” – Jacqueline, Marsfield Probus Club
Visit overview
Cockatoo Island
Headland Park
Macquarie Lightstation
North Head Sanctuary
Sub Base Platypus
Woolwich Dock and Parklands
