(Left) Soldiers' Mothers and Wives Memorial, Cowper Wharf Road Woolloomooloo. It's long been a concern of ours that the Memorial designed to mark the departure point of our ANZACs has been side-lined and neglected. The story, symbolised by the Memorial, deserves to be better known. Over the years, this Memorial has been so mishandled, it’s no surprise it looks this sad.    The No.1 Gates, Woolloomooloo Wharf, c 1920.  Before aeroplanes carried soldiers round the world, this job was done by ships. Woolloomooloo Wharf, with its deep waters, was the main port of arrival and departure in Sydney. After the carnage of World War I, this fact made the wharf a very special place. Here was the last place Australians saw their loved one, forever. The set of  old wooden gates, called the “No. 1 Gates, Woolloomooloo Wharf” were at the eastern side of the wharf, not far from Fitzroy Stevedores. We imagine soldiers collected at a departure point in the Domain and ...

Take a walk to some of our favourite murals around Woolloomooloo. It's not the complete list, so keep your eyes out for others, all along the way.  Map showing location of murals in this walk 1.  "Support" by Fintan Magee, 2014 At the rear entrance of Plunkett Street School, Dowling Street (near corner of Pring St) Fintan is considered a leading Australian street artist. He often has images of people being supported. He uses a realistic style with surreal imaginery.  2. Sydney Place mural, 1998  A remarkable series of images, based on Aboriginal artwork and a respect for country.  This artwork was created by artist, Danny Eastwood and produced by the youth and community of  Woolloomooloo. If it seems a bit weary due to age and graffiti, look again and go close up.  Weathering has made them even more beautiful.  3 and 4.   The Woolloomooloo History Murals...

Before planes came to dominate international transport, Woolloomooloo Wharf was the departure and arrival point for much of Sydney's overseas travellers. Of all the wharves in Sydney, Woolloomooloo was the deepest, able to hold the biggest and heaviest of liners. Locals lined the wharves to send off their loved ones and greet them on return. The ships carrying troops to the Boer, First and Second World Wars all left from Woolloomooloo Wharf. The steamship"Moravian"leaving Woolloomooloo Bay January 1900 Photo:AWM Troops line up at Wharf No 1, Woolloomooloo's present day Finger Wharf in the background. Photo: AWM. In fact, so strong were the soldiers last memories of farewells at Woolloomooloo Wharf, that they began to sing songs about it. Song of the 10th Battalion AIF, WWI and WWII Another favourite was the 1912 song, composed and sung by Herbert Rule, simply called "Woolloomooloo". Click to hear him sing: Learn more about the ...