By Mirwais Haidari
Historical photographs are giving visitors and residents a chance to look into Australia’s past and connect with generations, places and culture.
At the Manly Markets on Sundays, Historic Photos displays images of Manly shops, streetscapes and other Australian locations. Some photographs date back more than a century, showing how places and communities have changed.
Photographs have also played an important role in documenting Australia’s history. The National Archives of Australia holds more than one million photographs spanning more than a century.
The Australian Museum’s Photographic archives hold images dating from the 1860s to the early 2000s, providing a long visual record of the museum’s people, sites, exhibitions, collections and research.
Peter Beaumont, the stallholder at Historic Photos, said many visitors were drawn to the photographs because of their emotional connection to the past.
“People are interested in the photos because it’s an emotional thing, ” Beaumont said.
He has seen customers recognise family members in old photographs. In one case, three sons recognised their mother.
“It’s an emotional value because it means something to them. It’s part of their personal history,” he said.
One Avalon resident who visited the stall chose a photograph of Avalon Beach because of his family’s long connection to the area. His grandparents bought land there around 1947, while his mother remembered watering pine trees near the beach when she was young.
He said his family had been connected to Avalon for more than 70 years. He also believed young people should understand Australian history.
Overseas visitors are also finding connections with Australia’s past. French visitor Jamie said she was interested in old Sydney because she loves history.
“I would choose one that shows old Sydney, something that could be framed,” she said.
Her friend Germain was interested in photographs showing Australian surfing and lifestyle. He said the display felt like a small museum and highlighted the importance of different cultures coming together.
“I feel like Australia could open up to more cultures,” Germain said. “Mixing different cultures can help build something really great, like a community.”
Brisbane visitor Gemma Sullivan was particularly interested in early Sydney Harbour Bridge images.
“I think it’s important that we go out of our way to learn a bit more about where we came from and what things used to be like,” Sullivan said.
For younger generations, these photographs can offer more than a picture of a place. They can start conversations about family memories, Australian history and how communities have changed.
Feature image: Vintage photographs of Sydney and Australian places are displayed at the Historic Photos stall at Manly Markets. Photo: Mirwais Haidari
