These are just two stunning shots Mark has shared with us and provided the Parklands to use. We loved them and wanted to share these with you.

This image is taken from the top of Mt Steel, Moore Park. In the foreground is Bat and Ball Field – image by Mark Condon

This stunning image of a horse was taken at the Equestrian Grounds in Centennial Park – image by Mark Condon

A little about Mark…

Mark has become a Centennial Park convert. Our work here is done!

Mark Condon is a British wedding photographer at Gold Hat Photography. He has lived in various countries around the world (Japan, UK, Australia) and most recently has been living in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney for the last five years.

After Mark sent us his photos to share, he revealed that – despite having lived relatively locally for five years – he hadn’t really spent any time in Centennial Parklands. We were abhorred!

He has spent some time running around the perimeter, and more recently riding his new bike in the Park, but only recently did he come to appreciate the amazing amount of activity that occurs here every day.  He has since assured us that the combination of a great park, great weather and the spaces provided, Centennial Park has quickly become one of his favourite places this country has to offer.

He recently undertook ‘Project 35′ which aimed to capture 35 photos taken on 35 consecutive days with a 35mm lens. Some of these are (two featured above) are from Centennial Parklands. Check out his great results!

Mark’s blog and Facebook page provide more examples of his work, and his Gold Hat Photography website outlines his professional photographic services.

Thanks for sharing your shots, Mark, and making them available for the Parklands to use!

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Think you can compete with these great photos? Why not share your great photos of Centennial Parklands with us. We’d all love to see them.

And just as a forewarning, shortly we’ll be entering the Pinterest world, for an even better way of sharing photos. If you’re on Pinterest, keep an ear out and then you’ll be able to pin, re-pin and create Centennial Parklands boards for the world to see!

In celebration of the Head On Photo Festival coming to Centennial Park, we continue to look at some great photography from our park visitors. Yesterday was sunshine, and today, birds. And some great new shots have come in from our intrepid regular volunteer photographers, Dominic and Daphne Gonzalvez.

Cattle in Centennial Park?

No. Cattle Egrets actually! A flock of them…

First was this recent sighting – a flock of Cattle Egrets near Duck Pond.

Getting a little Grebe-y!

A popular local feathery resident is the Hoary-headed Grebe….

This feathery little fellow, called a Grebe, was enjoying an autumn dip in the sunshine

Pink ears?

A recent spot was these ducks called Pink-eared Ducks…

Pink-eared Ducks – do they really have pink ears?

Sometimes you need to be a little hard-headed!

Just like these little guys – a family of hardhead ducks…

Hardhead Ducks – no helmets required for these guys!

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The Head On Photo Festival opened on the weekend and you can come and enjoy three exhibitions. The one in the Vine Video below is about from ‘Macro Wildlife‘!

Sunshine in Centennial Park – image by Lucy Pryor

Speaking of photography, the Head On Photo Festival has started and there are three great exhibitions to enjoy in Centennial Park this year. All the details are on our Quick Guide to the Head On Photo Festival.

Head On Photo Festival is on until 23 June 2013

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Snapped a great photo in Centennial Parklands? Share it with us and you may feature as our Photo of the Week!

Recently members of the Paddington Historical Society toured the Centennial Parklands archives to see some of the archival records, images, documents and other historic paraphernalia that we hold in the Parklands’ archives. One item stood out as quite a fascinating insight that we thought we would share – a copy of the original Park Regulations from 1889!

On the back of our recent Share the Park campaign, we received much interest about the current Parklands Regulations. You can find all of these on our website.

But, enough of today, let’s take a peek back in time…

The original Centennial Park Regulations

On 23 August 1889, the draft Centennial Park Regulations submitted by Sir Henry Parkes to the Colonial Secretary of New South Wales was approved (or ‘gazetted’ to use a Government term). The Regulations outlined what was (and wasn’t) acceptable in the newly created Centennial Park.

It’s a fascinating snapshot of behavioural standards of the day!

We’ve broken down the Government Gazette document into sections for ease of reading.

Regulations (segment 1)

Regulations (segment 2)

So, what do you think? Any Regulations in there you’d like to see come back (except the goat executions!)? Speaking of such, can any dedicated historian out there explain to us why goats may have been singled out as an ‘enemy of the State’?

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Do you have any anecdotes, stories, memories or images of Centennial Park of yesteryear? We’d love to hear about them. Let us know on Facebook, Twitter or on our online form. And, if you missed it previously, check out this 1979 documentary on Centennial Park!

Did you know the Head On Photo Festival is Australia’s largest photo festival and the world’s second largest festival? With over 200 events across 100 venues, we’re proud to be part of this great Sydney event. We’ll be hosting three great exhibitions, and a number of workshops. Be sure to drop by and enjoy.

Here’s a quick guide to help you find all the information you’ll need to enjoy this event:

• Here’s the Head On Photo Festival website
• Here’s information on the “It’s A Dog’s Life” by Holli Holitzer exhibition in Centennial Park
• Here’s information on the “Macro Wildlife” by Angela Robertson-Buchanan exhibition in Centennial Park
• Here’s information on the “BACKYARD – Images from mobile phones” (Group Show) exhibition in Centennial Park
• Here’s information on “Painting with Light” night photography workshop (7 June 2013)
• Here’s information on “Hidden Treasures” night photography workshop (22 June 2013)

Where will the exhibitions be held in Centennial Park?

• The two exhibitions – “It’s a Dog’s Life” and “Macro Wildlife” will be outdoors in the She Oak Grove (adjacent the Sir Henry Parkes Statue on Parkes Drive)
• The exhibition “BACKYARD – images with mobile phones” will be indoors in the Superintendents Residence (adjacent Paddington Gates)

Want to know the latest, or keep in touch with Head On Photo Festival:

• Here’s Head On Photo Festival’s eNews subscribe
• Here’s the Head On Photo Festival Facebook page
• Here’s the Head On Photo Festival Twitter stream

Further to this, to help with orientation and understanding about how the event works:

• Download a map of Centennial Parklands (PDF, 386 kb)
• Download Centennial Parklands iPhone app
• Find Centennial Parklands Visitor Information Counter

Here are two recent blog posts by exhibitor, Angela Robertson-Buchanan:

• Macro Wildlife
• Tips for great macro photography results

It’s a Dog’s Life by Holli Holitzer

Macro Wlidlife by Angela Robertson-Buchanan

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Want more great events and activities to enjoy? See our What’s On calendar, download our What’s On Guide or download our iPhone app.