"Seeing Sydney - Knowing Country" an exhibition with a Swiss connection

The Swiss Community Care Society in Sydney invited its Members to a Guided Tour at the Museums of History (Sydney Museum) in Bridge Street Sydney CBD on the 4th September 2025. The occasion arose from the Swiss contribution to the current exhibition “Seeing Sydney - Knowing Country“,*  curated by a team under the direction of Dr Penelope Stannard, Principle, Head of Curatorial and Research.

Some 40 members, including the visiting former CEO of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad in Berne, Rudolf Wyder, assembled in the Museum’s foyer for “Kaffee und Kuchen“, then were led expertedly by Dr Stannard through the Exhibition Rooms.

The main theme of the exhibition was to highlight the Australian countryside the first settlers encountered in the Sydney area. Some 49 views of early Sydney gave a historical retrosprective of  the urban development of the Colony and were from the Beat Knoblauch Collection.

Furthermore, the Archives (Records) of NSW displayed rarely seen early documents, like surveys, letters, land grants, which the viewer can see in specially built and illuminated display drawers. At the other end of the main display room the local fauna, as encountered in the early colonial times , is displayed as illustrated in prints, books and real specimens.

Throughout the exhibition  period furniture figures  prominently and  a First Nation ‘s graphic contemporary design is enmeshed in the overall concept.

With enthusiastic applause for the lecturer Dr Penelope Stannard, the tour ended on a high note. *The exhibition will close sometimes end of October 2025, date not fixed yet.

5.9.2025, BK/CT

The members of the Swiss Community Care Society at the Museums of History for a guided tour of the exhibition "Seeing Sydney - Knowing Country"

Head of Curatorial and Research at the Museums of History NSW, Dr Penelope Stannard, with Rudolf Wyder, former director of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, visiting Sydney and CSA Delegate Beat Knoblauch.