Class of 73 Excursion
Sat. JUNE 8th 2024 from 11:00 am
White Bay Power Station, Balmain
Remember the excursions to the Port Kembla Steel works? Well that is a bit hard to replicate, so in line with “heavy industrial” we will replicate by visiting White Bay Power Station in Balmain.
The White Bay Power Station is a heritage listed former coal-fired power station on a 38,000 m2 (410,000 sq ft) site in White Bay, in the suburb of Rozelle, 3 km (2 mi) from Sydney in New South Wales, Australia.
The remains of the plant can be clearly seen at the western end of the Anzac Bridge on the junction of Victoria Road and Roberts Street. The station was inactive for a number of years. However the plant reopened for the 2024 Sydney Biennale art exhibition.[1] It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.[2]
The station is often wrongly referred to as the Balmain Power Station, a plant originally located in Iron Cove, which has since been demolished.
Built between 1912 and 1917 to cope with the expansion of Sydney’s electric tram and rail systems, White Bay fed the largest metropolitan tramway network in the Southern Hemisphere and provided power to the trains as well as to the suburban electricity grid. The building’s dominant harbour side position, dramatic vertical facade, castellated parapets and steam funnels mark the entrance to the Balmain waterfront, and are an enduring symbol of the area’s industrial origins and traditions.
For those who also went on Art excursions the visit to White Bay Power Station is also one of the locations for the TEN THOUSAND SUNS art exhibition (see video). As an added bonus those who were (or really wanted to be) members of the schools bus/train club, vintage buses will be available to transport you from Queen Victoria Building in the City to White Bay.
This clip shows the exhibition within the power station
Full details of the event are at this link White Bay Power Station - Biennale of Sydney and includes how to get there. We will meet near the main entrance.
As usual following the visit we will adjorn to a suitable location for food and drinks (open to suggestions). For the more adventurous the excursion can be extended to take in VIVID Sydney.
The visit to White Bay Power station is a personal visit for me as it was the place of work of my late father-in-law.
Drinks & lunch likely to be at the King Street Wharf (near Darling Harbour) but will be confirmed.
Michael Rayner key Speaker - 50th Re-union NSBHS1973
For the enjoyment again of all who attended the 50th reunion. The incredibly interesting talk of Michael Rayner on architecture, how creativity can solve problems and the comaraderie of Australians when adversity strikes. It is easy to understand why Michael was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to architecture. If you missed the reunion a chance to catchup on one of the highlights.
The Band - formed from classmates, partners and a couple of friends playing at the After Party
Video courtesy of Ian Carragher
Video courtesy of Ian Carragher
Video courtesy of Ian Carragher