Cr John-Paul Baladi, Mayor of Strathfield

Dear Residents,

This year marks 140 years since the founding of Strathfield Municipality, and Council is proud to celebrate this milestone with a renewed sense of civic pride and community spirit.

In collaboration with the Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society, Council has curated a special exhibition honouring the people, places, and moments that have shaped our local story. The exhibition will be on display at the Ironbark Gallery from 28 May to 27 July, with the official opening taking place on Thursday 5 June 2025. I warmly encourage you to attend and reflect on our proud history.

And finally, don’t miss HOMEBUSH VIBES, our free community music and activities festival, running from Saturday 7 June and Sunday 8 June, at Homebush Village on Rochester Street. Expect a fantastic line-up of live performances, cultural displays, kids’ activities, and more. Bring the whole family and soak in the atmosphere of Homebush at its vibrant best!

As always, if you have a local concern or idea you’d like to share, you can reach me on 0478 054 241 or at cr.jpbaladi@strathfield.nsw.gov.au.

Let’s celebrate our proud past—and keep building a brighter, more beautiful future for all.

Warm regards,
Cr John-Paul Baladi
Mayor, Strathfield Council

10 Days left to 'Have Your Say' to improve and energise our local centres! 👟🚶‍♀️

Say hi to our amazing Council Planning Team who will be in Homebush for the final Drop-In Session on Saturday 17th May as part of the ‘Energising our Villages’ Place Strategy. We want to hear from our community to get feedback on how to improve Homebush, Homebush West, and Strathfield South Town Centres so they continue to be great places for people to visit, work, play, shop and live in! The Community Engagement Phase ends on Sunday 18 May 2025, so be sure to 'Have Your Say' before then!

Need to get your steps in as well? Join the team on their Jane’s Walk of Homebush event and hear from guest speakers about the evolution Homebush is under-going. During the walk they will also be giving away prizes for the most engaging questions! For all the info and meeting points, click here.

Scout camp held at Birnam Wood, the estate of John Maclean Arnott in Strathfield 17 May 1912. Robert Baden-Powell visited Cooks River the following day. Courtesy State Library of NSW

Scout Camp, Birnam Wood, 1912

The Boy Scout Movement, founded by Robert Baden-Powell in England in 1907, quickly spread throughout the world. In June 1909 a new Strathfield group was established with the encouragement of army chaplain, Reverend Herbert Rose of St Anne’s Church of England, and Major John Maclean Arnott, who made his property Birnam Wood available for camps.

In May 1912, 900 metropolitan scouts welcomed Baden-Powell to their camp at Cooks River. The country contingent from Cootamundra, Temora, Wyalong and Grenfell camped at Birnam Wood after carrying a despatch of welcome from Cootamundra to Sydney in 25 hours and 10 minutes.