Take a stroll down history lane and go explore Macarthur region’s newest community walking track – the Miss Llewella Davies Pioneer Walkway – during History Week.
The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment gave Camden Council a $351,000 funding boost through its to build the 2.35-kilometre winding track at Camden Town Farm. Council matched this funding.
“This community walking track celebrates and recognises the importance of a significant figure in the Macarthur region’s rich pastoral and agricultural history,” said Brett Whitworth, the Department’s Acting Deputy Secretary, Place & Infrastructure Greater Sydney.
“Miss Llewella Davies – or the Queen of Camden, as she was affectionately known – gifted her home, Camden Town Farm, to ‘the people of Camden’ on her death.”
Now visitors can walk in her footsteps on the 52-hectare former dairy farm, taking in fantastic views of the majestic Nepean River, the historic , Chinese washing wells, and .
What better time to do this than History Week, the annual, state-wide celebration of history organised by the History Council of New South Wales. Fittingly, the theme of History Week 2019 is Memory & Landscapes.
Mayor of Camden Theresa Fedeli said she looked forward to seeing residents share in this wonderful new outdoor activity.
“We are dedicated to helping our residents get active and keep fit and this walkway is another option for our community to enjoy,” Cr Fedeli said.
“Signage at the start of the track is a terrific way to learn more about the history of Camden Town Farm.”
Camden is home to many heritage-listed attractions, including Camden Town Farm which features in the free ‘Colonial Heritage of Western Sydney’ mobile phone app.
Mr Whitworth said the Department’s found 68 per cent of people surveyed in Western City District – where Camden is located – would like to see more high-quality open spaces in their area.
Eighty per cent of people surveyed felt having good outdoor recreation areas is a great way to bring the community together.
“This project is a great example of governments at local and state level working together to create great places for communities to come together and relax,” said Mr Whitworth.
Photo caption: Pictured, circa 1940s, is Miss Llewella Davies Camden in her garden in Exeter Street, Camden, in Red Cross Volunteer Aid Detachment uniform. Photo courtesy of Camden Council.
